I'm such a dolt (a.k.a what a find!)

[the_edski]

I work in downtown Chicago and that used to afford me ample time to wander into Iwan Ries and peruse in the morning while making rounds on foot for my job. My schedule has jammed up in the AM hours, and I drive for my job in the afternoon. Never occurred to me til today to see if there are any tobacconists around where I have to travel. I opened up the Google search app on my phone and JACKPOT!

Found the Bull and Bear Ltd Tobacco Shop in downtown St. Charles, Illinois.
http://www.bullandbearcigars.com/

Stopped in and took a look around. Nice setup, plenty of cigar humidors and display cases for pipes (had some good ones too, Petersons and Savinellis caught my eye). Had a nice selection of pipe tobacco. Lots of McClelland and Rattray. They also had a whole stand of house blends with a info sheet describing all the varieties. Look like a great mix of aro's and non aro's and all the sub-blends within. I told myself I was only gonna buy one tin, and that held true. Walked out with a 50g of FM On The Bayou.

The staff was very courteous. I chatted with an associate about the merits of various FM's during the checkout process and I noticed another SA very calmly helping out a couple of 18 yr old chuckle-heads buy their first cigar. I will definitely be coming back to this place!

If you live in the 'burbs of Chicago and can't make it downtown to Iwan Ries, I would definitely recommend Bull and Bear as a great substitute

 

[shrtcrt]

They have/had one in Geneva. I use to go all the time. Such a great shop, but now that I am in Vegas, I have lots of great shops plus Casa Fuente and the Rhumbar.

 

[Toothpick]

I've been eyeing their website for awhile. It's only 12 miles from me. I'm waiting until I have some money to drop before I go because I want to get a humidor. I'd rather support a local B&M then buy online.

Glad to know they are top notch! I'd trust your reviews over Yelp any day.

 

[the_edski]

Thanks, Jason!

Glad to know they are top notch! I'd trust your reviews over Yelp any day.

 

[Toothpick]

drove through Geneva, IL today and a cigar shop caught my eye. on the way back though discovered Burning Leaf Cigars. Didn't even know they were there.

closer for me than St. Charles and a well stocked place. Decent pipe collection with Petersons and a few others in the $30 range. nice selection of pipe tobacco. Lighters, cutters, humidors, pretty much everything you need. Prices were decent.

I picked up an Acid 1400CC for $8.50 got some free matches.

I felt like the service left something to be desired though. I got the initial greeting but that was about it. once i walked in he moved from his comfy chair to the cash register and waited for me. Every question I asked was answered with a close ended answer.

Maybe my standards are to high but when you are the only customer in there one would think you'd take the time to strike up a conversation and find out more about your customer. I asked if he had any Frog Morton..."what ya see is what you get".

 

[michiganlover]

Maybe my standards are to high but when you are the only customer in there one would think you'd take the time to strike up a conversation and find out more about your customer. I asked if he had any Frog Morton..."what ya see is what you get".

Not a very appropriate response, when every walk in tobacco shop these days faces intense competition from online stores. Really, why should I drive out of my way to visit your shop, and deal with a bad attitude, when I can just order from the comfort of my home? Some businesses are so entirely clueless.

 

[the_edski]

Some businesses are so entirely clueless.

Sad fact these days, John...

Thanks for the mini-review, Jason!

 

[Toothpick]

Not a very appropriate response, when every walk in tobacco shop these days faces intense competition from online stores. Really, why should I drive out of my way to visit your shop, and deal with a bad attitude, when I can just order from the comfort of my home? Some businesses are so entirely clueless.

I have a strong retail and customer service background so my standards are always high. I don't expect to be catered to but I do expect to feel welcome, especially in a small privately owned tobacco shop.
I noticed they have a sizable collection of humidors, small and large, and I am in the market for a humidor set up, and would prefer to buy locally. So I asked the guy "do you have any humidity beads?" and got "yeah right here".
If it was my store the proper response would be something along the lines of "we sure do, what size humidor do you have?" and then when he finds out I don't have one..."well have you had a chance to look at our selection? I'm sure we could put together a nice package for you". THEN his scanner wouldn't work so he says "Can you grab the number off the box for me". I really didn't mind, it was close enough, but its the principle...you never put your customer to work. "I'm sorry, my scanner isn't working properly, excuse me while I grab the SKU number" or something similar.

I have a bad habit of pretending I'm the boss when I shop, I leave and think "what could they do better". Perhaps he was just feeling lazy today.

Sad fact these days, John...

Thanks for the mini-review, Jason!

no problem! I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice shop so close. I'll likely give them another chance.