This week, I sat down with the owners of ATL Cigar Co. Peter and Leroy dropped some major knowledge about business, friendships, giving back to the community, and of course, quality cigars!
ATL Cigar Co is a new Cigar Brand out of Atlanta that has built a loyal following due to its quality and the respect paid to the city it’s named after. Peter and Leroy share the background of the business and a bit about their own friendship.
We discuss what it’s like going into business with a close friend and what they do to maintain that tight-knit relationship. Their dedication to friendship perfectly displays what the cigar lifestyle is really about. We also talk about the thought and intention behind the cigars they produce and how they aim to create a brand that embodies Atlanta’s spirit.
They also reveal some of the challenges they’ve had to overcome building this company and what they have planned for the future. Finally, in the vein of community and brotherhood, Leroy and Peter discuss how the roots of ATL Cigar Co. is really in serving others and how they work alongside Comprehensive Community Services to support that mission.
I had the pleasure of sharing a puff, sip, and chat with these gentlemen and was so nicely reminded of the uplifting nature of the cigar lifestyle. I think you all will enjoy what they had to share.
Be sure to grab your stick to puff on and keep on reading!
How They Got Started
The team consists of a husband and wife duo, Leroy Lamar and Janelle Lamar, and best friend, Peter Gross. Leroy and Peter have been good friends for over fifteen years. They met living across the street from one another and built a great connection over their love for cigars.
About a year or two ago is when they began to think seriously about opening a business. Janelle ran an incubator project to see if it was even a feasible idea and when it came back that it was, they got to work! COVID escalated the project because it gave them more time to focus and see that there was a great market for it.
They brought with them a ton of background knowledge on the process of producing unique and quality sticks. Because they had learned to roll their own leaves in Cuba, they spent a lot of time experimenting with the components that go into a great cigar.
Their research didn’t end there as they’ve spent a lot of time researching and reading about the cigar industry and Peter even spent a month in Miami to get better acquainted with the market.
I think one of the most remarkable aspects of their business is the strong bond that holds it together. From the beginning, Leroy and Peter made a pact that if the business ever got in the way of their relationship, then that would be the end of it.
At the core of it all, this is a business venture of best friends who happen to love cigars and want to share that love with the community around them.
The Background Behind ATL Cigar Co. Cigars
Everything about the cigars’ production at ATL Cigar Co. goes back to the city’s lifeblood. With every puff, they strive to remind their customers of home. I asked them a little bit more about that, and they sure delivered.
The staple cigar of the company is named ‘Good Trouble’ after the great John Lewis. The stick is a mild to medium-bodied cigar that can be enjoyed by anyone. If you’re new to the cigar lifestyle, then it is a great introductory cigar, and even if you are a seasoned smoker, then you can enjoy its flavorful profile.
This versatile accessibility was not by accident. In tribute to John Lewis, who made himself accessible to all Atlantans, this stick’s purpose is to embody the spirit of brotherhood and community. Because the best sticks aren’t meant to be enjoyed alone, ATL Cigar Co. made it their goal is to continue the great legacy of one of Atlanta’s finest.
Giving Back and What’s Next for ATL Cigar Co.
If it isn’t clear already, ATL Cigar Co. is making some big moves in their community. It’s so much more than just providing a great stick to the city of Atlanta. They’ve taken it even further by building a primary focus to create a sense of community and belonging. Leroy shared what he does in the non-profit he founded and how they work to blur the divides between race, occupation, and socioeconomic status. I encourage you to check out all of the great things they are doing at Comprehensive Community Services here in Atlanta.
As for what’s next, they are excited to launch a new cigar called the ATL Libertad. It is produced out of their favorite factory in Nicaragua and is one of their most proud smokes!
