Cigars International Opening East Ridge, Tenn. Store This Summer

Within the next month, Cigars International, the world’s largest retailer of cigars, will open a new store in the Chatanooga area.

The store is located at 495 Camp Jordan Pkwy., East Ridge, Tenn., about five miles east of Chatanooga. It follows the same model as the company’s other new Superstore locations: a large indoor area with a full bar, an enclosed walk-in humidor with products merchandised in small aisles, and a large covered outdoor patio. This store measures 6,500-square-feet.

“As expansion of our retail store network progresses, we’re thrilled to reach the milestone of bringing the experience to this vibrant community in Tennessee,” said Sarah Santos, svp of STG—the parent company of Cigars International—in a press release. “The new location will serve cigar enthusiasts in the region providing the widest selection of handmade cigars with an exceptional welcoming experience.”

Cigars International is the largest retailer in the world and the flagship business of STG’s omnichannel retail operation, which also includes Thompson Cigar, Cigar Bid, Cigar.com, Pipes and Cigars and Club Macanudo. Only Cigars International and Club Macanudo have physical stores, though Cigars International’s main business is its industry-leading online and catalog business. STG also owns General Cigar Co. and Forged Cigar Co., which sell Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas and other brands in the U.S. In both the U.S. and international markets, STG sells Agio, Alec Bradley, CAO, Macanudo, Room101 and Toraño—all of which are owned by the company.

In 2022, Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG)—the parent company of Cigars International—announced that it planned to add 6-8 new stores by 2025. This is the sixth new location to be announced since then.

The full list of Cigars International stores is as follows:

• Jacksonville, Fla.*
• Lutz, Fla.
• Tampa, Fla.
• Chesterfield, Mo.*
• Bethlehem, Pa.
• Bethlehem, Pa. (Downtown)
• Hamburg, Pa.
• South Fayette, Pa.*
• East Ridge, Tenn.*
• The Colony, Texas
• Conroe, Texas
• Fort Worth, Texas
• Katy, Texas
• San Antonio, Texas

*Not yet open.

“At CI, we are committed to bringing the most inclusive cigar lifestyle experience to our guest(s),” said Scott Vasko, vp of retail for Cigars International. “Our new East Ridge location has been created as an environment that encourages camaraderie, community and a good time in the company of friends old and new. We look forward to sharing our hospitality and our spectacular new store with the cigar lovers of East Ridge and the greater Chattanooga Valley.”

A grand opening party has been scheduled for Aug. 17, though the store will open to the public sometime before that.