The cigar world is buzzing, and for good reason. In episode 22 of the Smoke and Steel podcast, the crew dives deep into one of the biggest announcements to hit the industry this year. Cigar Page is building what will be the world’s largest cigar store right here in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Walt, Eric, Jim, and Mark break down what this means for local shops, online pricing, and the future of cigar retail. Plus, they discuss winter smoking setups, DIY air filtration systems, and why sometimes the best cigar lounge is just a garage with good friends.

The Cigar Page Bethlehem Bombshell

Halfwheel dropped the news that sent shockwaves through Pennsylvania’s cigar community. Cigar Page is constructing a massive retail location in Bethlehem that will officially be the world’s largest cigar store. The numbers are staggering.

The building will have 66,000 square feet of usable floor space total. About half of that is dedicated to the retail operation, which breaks down like this:

• 24,000 square feet of retail space with 32-foot ceilings
• 4,000 square feet of outdoor patio space
• Indoor seating for more than 200 patrons
• A full-service bar with 42 beers on tap
• A second story mezzanine lounge
• A 20-foot tall stone fireplace

The centerpiece is the humidor itself. At 4,400 square feet in area and 60,000 cubic feet in volume, it will be stocked with 750,000 cigars. That’s how Cigar Page plans to claim the title of world’s largest cigar store.

For the guys on Smoke and Steel, this hits close to home. They’re excited about having such a massive destination in their backyard, but they also have concerns about what it means for the local shops they love.

Will Online Prices Come to Brick and Mortar?

The million dollar question everyone’s asking: Will Cigar Page Bethlehem offer the same aggressive pricing in-store that made them famous online?

The crew is skeptical, and for good reason. The overhead costs of running a 24,000 square foot facility with 32-foot ceilings, a full bar with 42 taps, and staff for over 200 seats are massive compared to warehouse operations.

Jim points out what happened when CI opened their retail locations. Online prices were fantastic, but once the physical stores opened with all that overhead, prices adjusted accordingly. Walt hopes the online prices don’t rise to subsidize the brick and mortar location, but only time will tell.

The consensus? This will be a destination store where people come for the experience and incredible selection, not necessarily bargain hunting. For everyday deals, online ordering will likely remain king.

Location, Location, Location

Why Bethlehem? The Smoke and Steel crew has some theories that make a lot of sense.

Pennsylvania has no sin tax on cigars, only the standard sales tax. Compare that to neighboring states like New York where cigar taxes are astronomical. Bethlehem sits right near major highways including Route 78, which runs straight into New York City, and Route 22 for easy access from New Jersey.

Jim shared a conversation he had with customers at Famous Smoke Shop. One guy said he and his buddies drive down from New York once a month, make a day of it, and buy a bunch of boxes. They save so much money compared to buying in New York that it’s worth the trip.

The Cigar Page Bethlehem location is perfectly positioned to capture that traffic. New Yorkers ordering online might have to pay New York state taxes on shipments. But if they drive to Pennsylvania and buy in person? They only pay PA sales tax and save a fortune.

This might not be a shot at CI at all. It could simply be Keith Meier recognizing an underserved market and planting his flag in the perfect spot. And yes, this is the same Keith Meier who founded Cigars International back in 1996, operating it from his apartment as e-commerce was just beginning. He sold CI to Swedish Match in 2007 and left in 2011. Less than four years later, he launched Brand Shopper, which now includes Cigar Page.

What About the Local Shops?

One of the more thoughtful discussions in episode 22 centers on how Cigar Page Bethlehem might affect local mom and pop shops.

Places like Santiago Cigars with Consuela, or Tó Makao Fine Cigars, offer something a superstore never can: community. Jim puts it perfectly when he says that superstores are like Costco. Eric agrees, noting you’re just another number at places like that. But at your local shop, they know your name. They remember what you like. You’re not just buying cigars; you’re hanging out with friends.

Walt makes the point that he rarely goes to CI Hamburg anymore, maybe once every eight to ten months if he’s in the area. But the local shops? That’s a weekly visit. That’s where friendships form and where the real cigar culture lives.

The guys also note that boutique brands and hard to find sticks will keep local shops relevant. You’re not finding vintage boxes covered in dust at Cigar Page. Those treasures are waiting at smaller shops for people willing to hunt.

Walt compares it to when Lowe’s and Home Depot rolled out nationwide. Mom and pop hardware stores didn’t completely disappear. They carved out their niche serving customers who need that weird specific part you’ll never find at a big box store.

Is This Bad for the Industry?

Some people online are claiming that discount retailers like Cigar Page hurt the cigar industry by putting local shops out of business.

The Smoke and Steel crew isn’t buying it. Jim points out that in many parts of the country, there are no local cigar shops for 50 or 75 miles. People in those areas have no choice but to buy online. Why wouldn’t they choose the cheapest option?

Eric raises another good point. Not everyone can afford $10, $12, or $15 per stick. If discount retailers didn’t exist, a lot of people simply couldn’t participate in the hobby at all. The current trend of $20, $30, even $40 cigars is unsustainable for most smokers.

The reality is there’s room for both. Big online retailers serve one market. Local lounges serve another. And most cigar smokers probably use both depending on what they need.

DIY Solutions and Winter Smoking

One of the unexpected highlights of episode 22 was the discussion about Walt’s homemade air filtration system. He built a DIY smoke eater using a box fan and some furnace filters, and the results are surprisingly impressive.

The crew was genuinely amazed at how well it works. They’ve been in some rough situations before, cigar lounges where you literally couldn’t see across the room and your eyes were burning. Walt’s simple setup is keeping the garage comfortable even with four guys smoking.

Eric mentioned he smoked on his porch the night before in 31 degree weather, bundled up in his Carhartt. That’s dedication. Winter smoking season is here, and the crew is prepared with heaters, DIY air filters, and determination.

For anyone wondering what they were smoking during episode 22:

• Foundation Wise Man Maduro
• Liga Privada Number 9 Corona
• LFD Suave
• Deliverance

Looking Ahead: More Big Episodes Coming

The Smoke and Steel podcast has some exciting guests lined up. Dave West from Avowed Cigars is scheduled for November 25th. The crew is also planning another episode with Kyle and Big Rob from the LA Cigar Collective, who were a huge hit with listeners.

They’re even working on a collaboration with a major sports podcast out of Philadelphia. The sports podcast has interviewed Eagles Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins and been featured in the Philly Inquirer. They discovered Smoke and Steel and want to help get some new eyes on the show.

For a podcast that started in a garage, things are really taking off. The shorts are getting thousands of views. Engagement is up across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And people are actually starting to recognize that this is more than just four guys sitting around smoking cigars.

Winter Smoking and the Power of Community

Jim shared some wisdom about why local shops will always have a place. Smoking cigars is a social event. It’s about sitting down with friends, making new connections, and being part of a community.

He told a great story about meeting a guy on a cruise. Every night at the same time, they’d meet up on deck in the one spot where smoking was allowed. They’d light up cigars and just talk. That’s what cigar culture is really about.

The episode also featured some fun tangents. The crew discussed whether they’ll get special access to the Cigar Page Bethlehem soft opening. And there was plenty of ball busting about Eric constantly promising cigars he never delivers. Some things never change.

What’s Next for Cigar Page Bethlehem?

The facility is expected to break ground later in 2025, with an anticipated opening in late 2026. That gives cigar enthusiasts plenty of time to get excited about what could be a game changer for the industry.

The rest of the 66,000 square foot building will house Brand Shopper’s corporate headquarters, bringing more than 100 employees to the location plus an additional 25 retail employees. They’ll also use 23,000 square feet for warehouse and storage space while keeping their current 50,000 square foot warehouse in nearby East Allen Township.

When it does open, you can bet the Smoke and Steel crew will be there checking it out. Will it become a regular spot for them? Probably not. As they discussed, it’ll be a destination visit to experience the massive humidor and scope out the selection. But for regular hangs, they’ll stick with their local spots where everybody knows their name.

The big questions remain. Will Keith Meier follow the same trajectory he did with CI and eventually start hosting massive Cigar Fest style events? Will the online pricing stay aggressive or will it creep up to support the retail operations? And most importantly, will this really maintain its title as the world’s largest cigar store, or will some shop in Dubai decide to challenge that claim?

Support Smoke and Steel and Get Great Deals

If you enjoyed episode 22 and want to support the show, the best way is to watch the full video on YouTube and subscribe to the channel. The guys work hard to put out quality content every week, and your engagement really helps.

You can also support Smoke and Steel by using their affiliate links when you shop for cigars online:

Cigar Page: Cigar Page Affiliate Link

JR Cigars: JR Cigars Affiliate Link

These links don’t cost you anything extra, but they help the podcast keep the lights on and the cameras rolling.

Feeling particularly generous? You can make a direct donation through their Ko-Fi page.

Every bit helps, whether it’s watching an episode, hitting that subscribe button, or picking up your next box through one of our affiliate links. The Smoke and Steel crew appreciates every single one of their listeners.