Bloom Cigar Company

Coordinates: 40°25′48″N 79°59′12″W / 40.430028°N 79.986649°W / 40.430028; -79.986649

Bloom Cigar Company
Private
Industry Cigars
Founded Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. (1955 (1955))
Headquarters Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Area served
 South Side, Pittsburgh
Revenue $250,500,000[1]
Owner Marc Adams ( original teletubby)
Website www.bloomcigar.com
Bloom Cigar Company in Pittsburgh's South Side.

The Bloom Cigar Company is an iconic and internationally known Pittsburgh-based premium cigar store.[2][3] Founded in 1955, Bloom Cigar Company is the Pittsburgh area's largest retail and wholesale distributor of cigars.[4] An weekly informal gathering of cigar aficionados and a unique ambiance contribute to its reputation.

History

The history of Bloom Cigar Company dates to the 1920s, when it was operated by the great uncle of the current owner, Marc Adams, who has run the store in its current incarnation since 1955.[5] Bloom Cigar Company is now the largest wholesale and retail cigar store in Pittsburgh, supplying cigars online and at the South Side location. [4] Bloom Cigar is the cigar supplier for Primanti Brothers, famous for their unique Pittsburgh-style sandwiches.[6]

The interior of the store creates a unique ambiance; the walls are lined with photos of famous cigar smokers, including Terry Bradshaw and Art Rooney, and dozens of bras donated by female customers in exchange for a free cigar hang from the ceiling[3]

Cigar Camp

In the early 1990s, Adams turned an ad hoc group of cigar connoisseurs that gathered at the store on Saturday mornings into "Cigar Camp," described as a "safe haven" for Pittsburgh's cigar lovers.[5] Cigar Camp has developed a cult status, growing by word of mouth and attracting regulars and out of towners.[7] Adams estimates that 30-40 men attend "Cigar Camp" at any time, with 150 attending throughout the day.[5] Bloom Cigar purchased the adjacent building to expand Cigar Camp and added a large-screen television and other amenities.[7] The modifications expanded the humidor by 66% and displaced some of the original lounging area that had been reserved for Cigar Camp, riling some of Bloom's regular customers.[2] "Cigar Camp" is a registered trademark.[8]

Notoriety

The Pennsylvania Attorney General, in his investigation centering on the 2006 Pennsylvania General Assembly bonus controversy, discovered that former employees of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus rented an office above Bloom Cigar to create a phony job for a staffer's mistress, who was then a 21-year-old former legislative intern and graduate student.[3] The grand jury's presentment described the office as "dingy" and was "used as a cigar-smoking spot by individuals who came up from the cigar store."[3] Marc Adams is a friend of former Pennsylvania House Majority whip Mike Veon, who has been charged by the Attorney General in connection to the 2006 legislative bonus investigation. [3] Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing and was "shocked" after learning about charges against Veon.[3]

The store was used to film scenes in the feature film 10th & Wolf, about a Philadelphia mob war that was filmed in Pittsburgh.[9][10] Owner Marc Adams has spoken out in the media against the now-repealed Allegheny County smoking ban and in favor of the new Pittsburgh Police public urination patrols in the South Side area.[11][12]

References

  1. ↑ "Bloom Cigar Company". bizjournals (American City Business Journals, Inc.). 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  2. 1 2 Schooley, Tim (2005-06-17). "One man's quest to win back his customers". Pittsburgh Business Times (American City Business Journals, Inc.). Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cronin, Mike (2008-07-11). "Grand jury: Office over South Side cigar shop was BIG waste of time". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  4. 1 2 "Welcome to the on-line catalog of Bloom Cigar Company in Pittsburgh, home of Cigar CampTM". Bloom Cigar Company. 2003. Archived from the original on 2008-11-01. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  5. 1 2 3 Zier, Sammie (2005-11-17). "Camp Stogie". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  6. ↑ Schooley, Tim (2008-09-26). "Primanti Brothers opens cigar bar next to South Side restaurant". Pittsburgh Business Times (American City Business Journals, Inc.). Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  7. 1 2 "What is Cigar CampTM?". Bloom Cigar Company. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-11-01. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  8. ↑ U.S. Trademark 77,245,684
  9. ↑ Williams, Darice (2004-09-09). "Movie filming starts in Bloomfield tonight". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  10. ↑ Blank, Ed (2006-08-03). "Setting a Scene". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  11. ↑ Brenckle, Lara; Justin Vellucci (2006-09-27). "Last gasp: Allegheny County bans most workplace smoking". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  12. ↑ Reilly, Richard (2004-12-05). "'Pub Patrol' flushes out potty-challenged South Side revelers". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
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