Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/660067
14 SMOKESHOP February 2016 NEWS >>>TRENDS & TRENDSETTERS IN TOBACCO RETAILING Retailing > St. Paul, Minn. has banned the sale of flavored tobacco products, except at specialty stores that get at least 90 percent of their revenue from tobacco sales. The ordinance, which takes effect in April and does not apply to menthol/ mint/wintergreen, mirrors a similar ban in Minneapolis that goes into effect in March. Higher minimum prices have also been set: $2.60 for each cigar sold in packages with three or fewer cigars, and $10.40 minimum cost on packages of four or more cigars. Retailing Bits&Pieces hartford— When is a "person" not a "person" under Connecticut law? When the law actually meant to say a "dealer" or "manufacturer." Such was the conclusion of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP), charged with administer- ing Public Act 15-244, which was passed in 2015 and became effective January 1, 2016. The law requires any "person" selling e-cigarettes of vapor products in the state of Connecticut to obtain an Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Certificate of Dealer registra- tion from the CDCP. Initially, the CDCP interpreted the new law to apply to each and every employee of a retail store: at a cost of $75 initial registration for a background check and $400 per year for the license, industry stakeholders immediately began working with the agency to obtain a clarification, which was issued by the agency on February 19, 2016. The agency clarified that each business location seeking to sell vapor products must register and obtain a certifi- cate, but that only one individual applicant is required per business location. In addition, wholesalers and distributors of vape products are also required to register. Out-of-state retail- ers, wholesalers, and distributors doing busi- ness in Connecticut must also register. The certificate permits the mixing, com- pounding, or resizing of any nicotine-con- taining vapor product. Vapor products and tobacco products require separate registra- tions with the CDCP. Connecticut's Confusing E-cigarette and Vapor Retail & Manufacturing License Effective Following Clarification > The owners of online cigar retailer Stogieboys.com have opened a premier brick & mortar retail store in western New York, Buffalo Cigars. With an official grand opening slated for April, the 5,000 square foot retail store and lounge in Orchard Park, N.Y.—a suburb of Buffalo 15 miles southeast of the city—is described as "one of the finest, most beauti- fully appointed cigar places in America," according to the announcement. More than $2 million is being invested in the facility, which features a 2,500 square foot retail store with the largest walk-in humidor in Buffalo, more than 200 cigar brands, pipes, hookah, and comfortable space to relax and smoke. A separate 2,500 square foot, well-appointed smoking lounge will open later in the year, featuring large screen TVs, gaming tables, leather seating, cigar hostesses and two spacious outdoor patios. Featuring a Cuban-syle decor, the store features more than 200 historic and antique cigar-related artifacts displayed throughout the shop and lounge as a "cigar museum" that includes antique smoking accessories, vintage cigar advertisements, and classic cigar boxes. > Robert "Doc" Gooden, a veteran cryptologic technician of the U.S. Navy and former security management consultant, has opened Cigars 201, a premium cigar and pipe retail store and upscale cigar lounge in Fort Washington, Md. Gooden says that in addition to top premium cigar brands, the shops offers a full range of cigar-related accessories including lighters, cutters, humi- dors, pipes, and pipe tobacco. The lounge features the largest seating capacity of individual leather chairs in the area, five 60-inch HD flat screen television sets, low lighting, music, and a state-of-the- art ventilation system. > Jon and Kelly Harrington are opening Torch Cigar Bar in Phoenix, Arizona on the city's trendy, upscale High Street in May. Torch is envisioned as "a sanctuary for lovers of fine cigars and spirits" and will feature a con- temporary, professionally-designed space appointed with "new-fashioned" furnish- ings and a warm comfortable atmosphere. Torch will feature a "world-class" selection of 200 premium cigars in a state-of-the-art humidor as well as 130 private cigar lockers available for those who become members, which includes access to a members-only lounge among numerous other privileges. The cocktail bar will offer 100 whiskeys, hard-to-find bourbons and scotches, 200 total spirits, eight taps, and an expansive selection of specialty craft cocktails. A spacious resort-style outdoor patio will offer an ideal meeting place for work or after-hours. New&Notable