The late, great Frank Zappa once said that everyone wears a uniform. This makes a lot of sense. The clothes we choose to wear will show the world much about ourselves. The same can be said about a business. All business owners put their imprint on every aspect of their establishment. Take for example our local cigar shops. Some are decorated in an austere minimalist’s style, while others choose to fill their space with…stuff. Such is the case of The Big Easy Cigar Lounge in Studio City, California. Man, there is stuff everywhere! But it’s a good kind of stuff. All relating to things cigar and organized in a very satisfying, Feng Shui sort of way. Filled with antiques and cigar memorabilia, it’s a comforting environment in which to smoke a cigar. Upon meeting the owner, Eric, one immediately understands that the environment in The Big Easy indeed reflects its owner.
A relaxing environment for smoking cigars
Dressed in his usual black Tatuaje tee shirt and jeans, Eric is soft spoken and thoughtful in how he presents his ideas. He speaks of cigars with a reverent tone, and has not an unkind word for anyone. And his lounge The Big Easy, is well named; smoking with Eric is a laid back experience and the atmosphere in his place reflects that state of mind.
Eric, owner of The Big Easy Cigar Lounge
Eric acquired The Big Easy in 2000 after having been an employee of the prior owner. Before that he was a professional horticulturist and drummer; two professions that don’t usually occupy the same personality. But with his drums collecting dust in his office, and no garden on the premises, it is the present and future that occupies Eric’s thoughts. He is currently in the process of developing his own line of cigars and his first test tasting of 300 sticks was a huge success. No release date has been set.
Special edition cigars and hard to find sizes abound
The Big Easy stocks only the highest quality cigars, many of which are boutique brands. With over 700 facings (boxes on display), and a huge selection of Tatuaje, Illusione, La Flor Dominicana, Coronado, Camacho, Rocky Patel, Fuente, Opus X , Anejos, and the new San Lotano, to name a few, anyone who visits is sure to find something to his or her liking. The Big Easy also offers hard to find sizes and seasonal editions of Tatuaje. With no question considered dumb, Eric considers every customer valuable and treats everyone with respect, whether a newbie or veteran smoker. It’s a welcoming environment and a great place to spend time relaxing and doing what we love…smoking cigars.
