Name: THOMAS HINDS
Special Features: They don't come much better
known in Toronto's cigar world than
Thomas Hinds, a man who recently celebrated
his first year of business since deciding to sell his
exclusive distributorship rights to Cuban cigars
in Canada, and concentrate on establishing a
chain of retail stores across North America. His
four locations (the other two are in Winnipeg
and Beverly Hills) offer product from around
the world, including the Thomas Hinds
Honduran and Nicaraguan Selection, which
comes in seven shapes. The downtown store - Hinds' first -
features the largest walk-in humidor in the city,
and a chance to taste Cuba in more than cigars.
Name: SHOPSY'S HUMIDOR
Special Features: One of the few original
cigar retailers left in Toronto, Shopsy's
greatest claims to fame are its prices (it's always
been known as a discount shop, and the
humidor selections range from $1 to more
than $50 per cigar) and the happy coincidence
of its placement in one of the most
famous deli restaurants in the city (there's
nothing like a cabbage roll or roast brisket to
precede your Punch). Shopsy's hosts two
annual cigar nights, which feature a cigar
roller from Cuba (one of Castro's personal
rollers). The store, which also sells magazines
and coffee-table books, regularly features
15%-off discounts.
Name: JULIUS VESZ PIPESMITH
Special Features: You won't find a more
traditional vision of a smoke shop around.
Vesz is known internationally for his
pipe-making prowess (he's made smoke sticks
for the likes of President Ford, Anwar
Sadat, Prime Minister Wilson and Bing
Crosby). The shop was his grandfather's
hobby in Austrio-Hungary, and a business
Vesz began in his own home, before even-
tually moving it into the prestigious Royal
York Hotel, where it now resides. Vesz
has just one brand: his own, well-loved
label. He also sells military miniatures,
and patrons are welcome to enjoy their
passion on one of Vesz's leather couches
or armchairs.
Name: WINSTON & HOLMES
Special Features: Lots of state-of-the-art stuff
and certainly a solid reputation to these places.
But none of the old-world charm more traditional
cigar retailers sell, the politically incorrect
smoking Indian outside notwithstanding.
There's a great walk-in humidor, plenty of lockers
to rent and a vast range of other merchan-
dise - pipes, tobacco accessories, toiletries,
leather goods, fine writing instruments -
customers can access in person, by catalogue or
email. Service is informed and courteous, but
these guys are probably a little too corporate to
get down in the dirt with you.
Name:CUBAN PETE CIGAR CO.
Special Features: Located in the shadow of
Castle Loma in the affluent suburb of Forest
Hill Village north of downtown Toronto,
Cuban Pete Cigar Co. is the newest addition
to the Toronto cigar scene. Featuring
81 lockers available for private storage,
should you decide to rent the space, the
store also boasts one of Toronto's largest
walk-in humidors. Nothing is sold that does
not directly relate to cigars and pipes at
Cuban Pete's: no cigarettes, no candy and
definitely no watches.
Name: THOMAS HINDS
Name: SHOPSY'S HUMIDOR
Name: JULIUS VESZ PIPESMITH
Name: WINSTON & HOLMES
Name:CUBAN PETE CIGAR CO.
