Steve Lochan Leaving Casa de Montecristo

Steve Lochan is no longer the head of Casa de Montecristo, Inc.

Lochan will be leaving the company—an Imperial Brands, plc subsidiary—to “pursue other interests” according to an internal company memo. His new job was not specifically named, but it is said to be outside of the cigar industry. He was hired as ceo of Casa de Montecristo last May after serving as the vp of operations strategy and execution for Toys “R” Us.

Casa de Montecristo is the most notable chain of brick and mortar retail stores with 28 locations nationwide, including 19 owned by Imperial:

• Austin, Texas — Casa de Montecristo
• Boca Raton, Fla. — Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar
• Boynton Beach, Fla.*— Casa de Montecristo
• Burlington, N.C. — JR Cigar
• Countryside, Ill.* — Casa de Montecristo
• Dallas, Texas — Casa de Montecristo
• Detroit, Mich. — Casa de Montecristo
• Glendale, Ariz.* — Casa de Montecristo by Churchill’s Fine Cigars
• Hallandale, Fla.* — Casa de Montecristo by Mancave
• Houston, Texas — Casa de Montecristo by Serious Cigars (Champions)
• Houston, Texas —Casa de Montecristo by Serious Cigars (Galleria)
• Houston, Texas —Casa de Montecristo by Serious Cigars (JFK)
• Houston, Texas —Casa de Montecristo by Serious Cigars (Webster)
• Las Vegas, Nev.* — Casa de Montecristo
• Miami, Fla.* — Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar & Whiskey Bar
• Mooresville, N.C. — Casa de Montecristo by JR Cigar
• Nashville, Tenn. — Casa de Montecristo
• New York, N.Y. — Casa de Montecristo by Cigar Inn (2nd Ave.)
• New York, N.Y. — Casa de Montecristo by Cigar Inn (73rd Street)
• Paramus, N.J. — Casa de Montecristo
• Phoenix, Ariz.* — Casa de Montecristo by Churchill’s Fine Cigars
• Phoenix, Ariz.* — Casa de Montecristo by Churchill’s Fine Cigars
• Selma, N.C. — JR Cigar
• Tampa, Fla. — Casa de Montecristo by Tampa Humidor
• Tampa, Fla. (to be opened) — Casa de Montecristo by Tampa Humidor
• Tempe, Ariz.* — Casa de Montecristo by Churchill’s Fine Cigars
• Washington D.C. — Casa de Montecristo by JR Cigar
• Whippany, N.J. — JR Cigar

*Designates a franchise store.

Lochan’s tenure at Casa de Montecristo saw rapid expansion with new locations coming online in Austin, Nashville and Tampa, as well as the integration of four Serious Cigars locations, as well as the rebranding of some JR Cigar stores.

While the expansion was swift, the success has been mixed. The integration of Serious Cigars saw a high amount of turnover, particularly amongst its managers.

A replacement has not been named. Lochan’s last day is April 13, the day before the annual Texas Cigar Festival, a large multi-vendor event hosted by Serious Cigars.

Imperial Brands, plc also owns JR Cigar, Altadis U.S.A. and a 50 percent stake in Habanos S.A., as well a larger portfolio of other tobacco companies.