How to Start a Cigar Smoke Shop

Apply for a business license to start a cigar smoke shop in your area.

Cigar smoke shops sell a variety of cigars and cigar smoking accessories. Maintain a range of specialty cigars and less-expensive cigars to cater to different customers. Offer cigar seminars and literature to educate your customers and increase sales. Become knowledgeable about cigars and the latest trends in cigar smoking so you can offer advice and opinions to customers when they have questions. Build a loyal customer base by providing quality cigars and customer service.

Instructions

1. Apply for a business license to start a cigar smoke shop in your area by contacting the Small Business Administration office or county clerk's office. Contact your state's department of revenue or alcohol and tobacco regulation office to apply for a tobacco license. Apply for a sales tax number to collect sales tax from the sale of your cigars by contacting the department of revenue. Apply for an employer identification number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to use on business forms such as business registration and tax forms. Purchase business insurance to protect tobacco products and accessories from theft or damage and to protect business assets from lawsuits.

2. Lease commercial retail space in a busy shopping center to attract as many customers as possible. Contact a commercial real estate agent to help you find a space with a walk-in humidor or temperature controlled room to keep cigars fresh.

3. Purchase cigars from wholesale cigar vendors and manufacturers. Purchase cigar accessories such as personal humidors, cigar cutters, matches and ashtrays. Purchase computer retail software to track cigar sales and to maintain inventory.

4. Create fliers, brochures, business cards and a website to advertise your cigar smoke shop. Create a monthly online newsletter and ask customers to sign up by providing their email address. Use the newsletter to provide valuable information about your cigars. List your shop in local business directories.

Tips & Warnings

• Host cigar seminars or cigar tastings to attract more customers to your shop.

References

• Entrepreneur: Cigar Sales

Resources

• Internal Revenue Service: Employer ID Numbers (EIN's)