Cigars International Building Stores in Texas

The world’s largest cigar retailer is heading to Texas, as Cigars International is finally moving forward with a long talked-about Texas expansion.

Craig Reynolds, president of Cigars International, declined to comment to halfwheel, but said an announcement was imminent. Reynolds is also the evp of global handmade cigar businesses for Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), the parent company of both Cigars International and General Cigar Co.

Multiple sources have told halfwheel the company is planning a location in the far north Dallas suburb of The Colony. The store is expected to open next year.

In March, Cigars International Texas, LLC filed as a new company with the state of Texas. Reynolds is listed as an officer.

What remains to be seen is what the store will look like and how big Cigars International’s expansion will be, both in Texas and beyond.

Cigars International is largely known for its catalog and website, but it operates three retail locations of various concepts in Pennsylvania. Its newest and largest store, in Hamburg, is a two-store location with a bar, a stark contrast to the downtown Bethlehem store which is similar to a very well-stocked traditional tobacconist.

In addition to the Cigars International brand, the company also operates the Cigar.com, pipesandcigars.com and Cigar Bid brands, three online and catalog retail brands.

STG also has a variety of other retail storefronts around the world, though there is only one non-Cigars International location in the U.S.: Club Macanudo, an upscale cigar bar and restaurant in Manhattan.

Texas will become the only state outside of New York where Imperial Brands, plc (Altadis/JR Cigar), Oettinger Davidoff AG and STG all have company-owned retail stores.