Stogies and Stories opens in Post Falls
CAROLYN BOSTICK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 2 weeks AGO
Carolyn Bostick has worked for the Coeur d’Alene Press since June 2023. She covers Shoshone County and Coeur d'Alene. Carolyn previously worked in Utica, New York at the Observer-Dispatch for almost seven years before briefly working at The Inquirer and Mirror in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Since she moved to the Pacific Northwest from upstate New York in 2021, she's performed with the Spokane Shakespeare Society for three summers. | December 6, 2024 1:00 AM
POST FALLS — When owners Chris Johnson, Jim Fox and Mike Oertel were designing Stogies and Stories: Cigars, Spirits and Friends, they envisioned a place where patrons can unwind in an inclusive atmosphere.
“Relaxing is the main thing,” Oertel said. “We wanted to make it more open and friendly for everyone.”
Installing a 400-square-foot humidor was a bonus, something that would be a draw to cigar afficionados and those considering picking up the hobby.
“We wanted to have the best humidor in the area,” Fox said, and Johnson quickly chimed in, “You want it to have that wow factor.”
The cigar lounge/bar is hosting its grand opening event Saturday, Dec. 7, With a La Palina cigar event with Clay Roberts and liquor tasting event from 6 to 9 p.m.
All three of the owners are native to the area and picked up the business about six months ago.
Stogies and Stories has a variety of cigar options to peruse for everyone from beginners to cigar connoisseurs. Coffee, cocoa, sweet and fruit flavored cigars are also available as alternatives to try.
The soft opening for the lounge was in November and Fox said the venue has already exceeded their expectations with the community response.
The three hope to create a haven for sports fans, especially those cheering on Gonzaga basketball, to use Stogies and Stories as the place to rally for a relaxing location for a night of socialization.
“We want people to come in and not feel like they’re bathing in smoke,” Fox said.
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