THE CIGAR MUSEUM’s first physical store is finally open! Part 1: "Turning Dreams into Reality"
THE CIGAR MUSEUM's First Physical Store is Finally Open!
Part 1: "Turning Dreams into Reality"
About a three-minute walk from Nishi-Nippori Station on the JR Yamanote Line. A discreet sign reading "Dōkanyama BAR" hangs at the entrance of the building.
Text by Mamoru HiromiPhoto by Jamandfix
The heart of a cigar shop is its walk-in humidor.
A walk-in humidor capable of storing approximately 150,000 petit corona-sized cigars. It is meticulously managed 24/7 with an air conditioner and a humidifier directly connected to the water supply.
It had been three years since I started importing and wholesaling cigars. The business was still challenging, but it was gradually finding its footing. Once I was able to regularly move a significant volume of cigars, I decided to pursue my long-held dream of opening a cigar shop and bar.
I searched for various properties, but finding a gem wasn't easy. I couldn't afford to waste any more time, so I ended up deciding to renovate my current office space and turn it into a showroom and shop.
The challenge was the location: Nishi-Nippori, and on the third floor of a building. These are highly unusual conditions for a cigar shop and bar.
I had some confidence in selling cigars, but I genuinely worried if the business could succeed in this location. However, I decided to look on the bright side. It was near a Yamanote Line station and offered a spacious 20-tsubo area. A shop on the third floor seemed impractical, so I resolved to put up a sign for a bar and do something unique to make it work.
Next was the renovation. I couldn't halt the company's operations. To renovate without disrupting business, I decided to divide the construction into phases. But the question was, where to start? So, I first considered what was most crucial for running a cigar shop and prioritized accordingly (assuming, of course, that I already had the "Retail Tobacco Sales Permit").
The most important element is the "walk-in humidor." Think of it as the wine cellar when opening a wine shop. With that in mind, building the walk-in humidor became the top priority. The division of construction phases naturally fell into place based on work efficiency.
Beyond the golden doorknob, the temperature is constantly maintained at 17-18°C and humidity at 68-72%. The conditions replicate those of a cigar's homeland, allowing them to rest peacefully.
The condition of a cigar is paramount. Optimal conditions arise from an ideal environment. The story cannot begin until we create an environment we can confidently recommend to customers before selling to them.
Next, we considered the layout. After reviewing various plans, we discovered that moving the plumbing would require extensive construction and affect tenants on other floors. Therefore, we decided not to relocate the plumbing.
This naturally led to placing the walk-in humidor in the center of the room. We made a portion of the humidor's wall glass, allowing cigars inside to be visible from the shop. Positioning the walk-in humidor centrally also made it an ideal location, least affected by external temperature fluctuations.
A Gift for OPENERS Readers!
Until the end of November, customers who visit "THE CIGAR MUSEUM + Dōkanyama BAR" and mention "I read this in OPENERS" will receive one complimentary drink.
Access to Dōkanyama BAR
http://www.hiromienterprise.com/map.htm