By Bob Bong Southland Savvy
Ron Nesheiwat only has two rules at his new business: Have fun and you have to buy a cigar.
Nesheiwat and his partner George Arambula opened Rojo Cigar Lounge at 101 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights in the former Cigar Store Indian smoke shop in August and say it’s the perfect place for someone who wants to sit back and light one up.
“We can comfortably seat 44,” he said. “We feature premium hand-rolled cigars; no cigarettes and no cheap, smelly cigars.
“People can come in and watch the game, play cards or dominoes, or just talk. We want people who come here to enjoy themselves and the experience. We’re trying to bring back the elegance of cigars.”
“One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people who are buying cigars today are people who didn’t buy cigars before,” he said dispelling the notion that fine cigars are only smoked by mustachioed millionaires in private clubs while swirling brandy in a snifter.
“There are more blacks and Hispanics buying cigars, as well as blue collar workers,” he said. “That’s why I picked this location. We draw from all over the Southeast Suburbs.”
Rojo doesn’t have a liquor or food license, but the lounge is next to the Tender Trap and guests can buy a beverage or meal there and bring it with them into the lounge.
Nesheiwat said he sells only hand-rolled cigars that usually take two years to make it into a cigar lounge humidor.
“I have five shelves about 30 feet long filled with cigars,” he said. “The cheapest is $5 for one of our hand-rolled, flavored cigars. The most expensive cigar I carry is a Padron No. 9 that goes for $22.”
“I’m probably the cheapest cigar lounge around,” he said. “I’m trying to turn a hobby into a lifestyle.”
Regular lounge hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
“If there’s a game or something going on, we’ll stay open later,” he said.
For information, call the lounge at 708-300-2040 or visit their Facebook Page.
A website is under construction at www.rojocigarlounge.com.
Deal of the week
Famous Dave’s barbecue restaurant will be giving away free ribs starting at noon Saturday at the K&G Fashion Superstore at 2535 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park. The giveaway is to promote the restaurant's opening Nov. 19 at 2851 W. 95th St.
If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.
You can also catch up on Comings & Goings at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.
