Today, I had the opportunity to sit down with Brian T., the owner of Acere Cigar Lounge, and we got to talking about all things cigars, whiskey, and business.
Brian shares what it was like to open a business right before COVID hit and how he’s managed to stay afloat and keep business running throughout the pandemic. We go through the process of opening his lounge and what challenges he’s faced along the way.
We discuss his background as an entrepreneur and how he’s incorporated the lessons he’s learned in his career to succeed in a competitive market. And finally, we cover the culture and community he’s been able to cultivate on this journey because, as we know, the stick has a beautiful way of bringing people together regardless of their backgrounds.
Find a moment to take it easy and join us for this sip and puff conversation!
Launching Acere Cigar Lounge
Located about thirty minutes from the heart of Atlanta, Acere Cigar Lounge is a haven for cigar and spirit enthusiasts looking to spend time with others who enjoy the stick.
Brian has been successful in his first year of business, even with the pandemic, so I took some time to pick his brain and figure out how he juggles it all! He opened up shop at the end of 2019 and was only in business for a couple of months before being shut down.
Because he wasn’t open long, he wasn’t eligible for small businesses’ relief packages. But luckily, the lounge was only closed for about eight weeks before it reopened to the public.
I love his story because it is such a testament to the tight-knit culture of the cigar lifestyle. Even though he was only open for business for a few short months, the customer base he built at that time was strong. They were supportive and eager to get back to Acere and continually showed Brian their loyalty.
Opening the business was a positive experience for Brian too. He ended up converting an old pizza place into what is now Acere Cigar Lounge, and the process has been nothing short of transformative. Brian completely gutted the pizza shop and was able to bring his vision to life almost exactly as he imagined it.
How to Deal With Competition in the Industry
Brian’s answer to this question is entirely reflective of the community as a whole. There are so many cigar shops and lounges throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, yet Brian doesn’t feel like he has any competition.
He believes that there’s enough room for everyone and focuses his energy on creating the best possible customer base experience. With customer satisfaction as his priority, Brian is continually improving his systems and processes to run as smoothly as possible.
The results have been incredibly rewarding! I can wholeheartedly say that his service is top-notch. Acere cigar lounge manages to keep things interesting with an eclectic dining menu. Seriously, they have some fabulous dishes that they offer.
In addition to the menu, every weekend, they have a live band and, throughout the month, have different themed events to draw in crowds. The drink menu is expansive and high-quality as well. He stays close to his stick roots by keeping the places strictly stick only. No hookahs or cigarette smoking allowed!
Building a Community Within Acere Cigar Lounge
Brian stands by the belief that Acere Cigar Lounge wouldn’t be what it is today without its long-standing support. The members and customers have become friends and are truly the backbone of Brian’s vision.
It was a great opportunity speaking to a fellow brother of the leaf and hearing how passionate he is about the business he’s created. As a long-time entrepreneur, creating this business has been a joy and fulfilling experience.
If you’re wondering what’s next for Brian and his business ventures, he’s looking to continue having fun over at Acere Cigar Lounge for a long time to come. He’s also planning on expanding by opening a second location, and his hope is to do that by the end of the year.
I hope you all enjoyed our chat, and I’ll see you all next week!
