Smokey Joe’s hopes to fill a need for cigar lovers

Date: 6/1/2017

SPRINGFIELD – Joseph Hendrix had traveled throughout the country and had enjoyed cigar lounges everywhere but Springfield, but that has now changed.

Hendrix recently opened Smokey Joe’s Cigar Lounge at 395 Dwight St., second floor. He recently was approved for a liquor license by Springfield’s Board of License Commissioners and has more than 200 members already.

He explained to Reminder Publications his establishment would be the only smoking lounge in the city. It’s a members only club, although Hendrix added a non-member could purchase a one-day pass for $10 and the cost of a cigar from his shop.

For the cigar smokers who aren’t allowed to light up at their homes, the new clubs is “the perfect avenue,” he said.

The second floor room has a bar, which Hendrix said would be stocked with “top shelf” spirits. There are plenty of comfortable easy chairs, several large screen TVs, two pool tables and an entire wall lined with humidor lockers for members’ cigars.

While the lounge has an aroma of tobacco, several large exhaust fans whisk smoke out of the room.

The cost of membership ranges from $150 to $900 annually and Hendrix said the number of amenities increase with the more expensive memberships.

The cigar lounge is the second career for Hendrix who is retired. He said he did considerable research before opening the lounge.

“Springfield didn’t have a smoking lounge. It’s well needed in the area,” he said.

Looking to the opening of MGM Springfield, Hendrix said the casino’s non-smoking environment might be a boon to him. He is thinking of running a shuttle van between the lounge and the casino.

As a licensed distributor, Hendrix said he can get what his members smoke within a 24 to 48 hour period.

He acknowledged that many people are interested in cigars, but don’t know how to smoke them and is planning to offer “Cigar 101” classes for beginners. He added that more and more women are interested in the experience. He said the first mistake people make is thinking they need to inhale the smoke.

Picking the right cigar is paramount, Hendrix said. He asks his customers if they have smoked before and whether or not it was a mild or full-bodied cigar. It’s easy for a novice smoker to become nauseous the first time they try a full-bodied smile, he added.

There are various ways to cut a cigar and Hendrix sells a wide variety of cutters. He prefers ones that cut a V-shaped wedge out of the tip. He said there is no need to spend a lot of money on expensive cutters or lighters.

He advises his customers to buy a humidor and season it with distilled water. Cigars will dry out if not stored properly and Hendrix cautioned never to put cigars in a refrigerator.

“If you take care of cigars, they are going to last for years,” he said.  

He also said never to smoke a cigar part way, extinguish the flame and smoke at another time.

“It’s never going to be as good, the second time around,” he said.

For more information, go to www.smokeyjoescigars.com.