STG, Parent of Cigars International, Confirms Two Texas Stores for 2018

Scandinavian Tobacco Group announced its Q3 financial results and more importantly for those in Texas confirmed it was opening two new retail stores in the state next year.

Update: A lot more information can be found here.

The company has not confirmed much, including the specific location or whether it will use the Cigars International name, but it did say it would build two new stores, investing up to $7 million total to do so.

Multiple sources told halfwheel the company plans to build one in The Colony, a far north Dallas suburb.

“As part of the strategy for growing our handmade business, I am happy to announce the planned opening in 2018 of two retail stores in Texas, US,” said Niels Frederiksen, ceo of STG, in the quarterly report. “These retail stores will complement our online business and provide consumers with both a great shopping and smoking experience.”

STG said it will invest $1 million in Q4 2017 and the first store is planned to open in mid-2018.

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, STG also operates the Cigar.com, pipesandcigars.com and Cigar Bid brands in the U.S., 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.