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 If you want to draw in the right audience and encourage them to spend time — and money — in your cigar lounge, you must put thought and effort into crafting the right ambiance. Start by carefully planning the layout of your space. You want your customers to feel comfortable and invited to stay a while. Comfortable seating, soft lighting, and well-chosen decor can make all the difference. Think about what experience you want your patrons to have when they enter your doors.

Related Read: How To Start a Smoke Shop: Your 10-Step Guide to Success

Next, it's time to purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment to bring your vision to life. Comfortable chairs and sofas are essential. You’ll also need ashtrays, top-quality humidors to keep cigars fresh, and a good ventilation system to ensure a pleasant atmosphere. 

An often overlooked but crucial aspect of your cigar lounge’s success is your point of sale (POS) system. Invest in a top-quality solution like Cigars POS that's designed specifically for tobacco shops and cigar lounges. Remember that your POS system is not just about processing transactions; it helps you manage your inventory efficiently, verify the age of your customers, manage customer loyalty programs, and more. 

Step 5: Inventory and Suppliers

Now, let's talk about the heart of your cigar lounge — the cigars themselves. To offer an exceptional experience, source premium cigars from reputable suppliers and manufacturers, and consider offering a diverse selection of cigars to cater to different tastes, from mild to bold. 

Building relationships with tobacco wholesalers and distributors is essential to ensure a steady supply of products. A well-curated inventory will attract customers and keep them coming back for more. It's the cornerstone of your business, so choose your suppliers wisely and closely monitor trends and customer preferences.

Step 6: Compliance and Regulations 

Running a cigar lounge comes with a host of compliance and regulation requirements. Take steps to ensure you and your staff are prepared to adhere to all tobacco laws and regulations. But remember, compliance doesn't stop at tobacco laws; you'll also need to comply with smoke-free workplace laws and any other relevant regulations specific to your area. 

Keep in mind that states and localities may have varying degrees of strictness regarding smoking and tobacco sales. Being on top of these regulations isn't just about staying out of legal trouble; it's about creating a safe and responsible environment for your customers and employees. Ensure your staff is well-trained in your state and locality’s laws and that you stay up to date with any changes in the law.

Step 7: Marketing and Promotion 

Once you get your cigar lounge up and running, it’s time to spread the word. The last step of opening your cigar lounge is to develop a marketing strategy to promote your lounge to your target audience. 

Use channels like social media, local advertising, and local events to attract customers. Consider organizing special events, sampling events, and tobacco promotions to increase foot traffic and engage with your customers. 

Beyond marketing, focus on providing exceptional customer service and creating a memorable experience for your patrons. A comfortable and relaxing environment and excellent service can turn first-time visitors into loyal customers. Don't forget to review your business performance and seek feedback from customers regularly. It's a dynamic process that will help you fine-tune your offerings and grow your cigar lounge over time.

The Key to Opening a Cigar Lounge Successfully 

Following these seven steps, you have everything you need to build your plan and move toward a bright future as a cigar lounge owner! However, preparing to open your new business is only the beginning of another, much longer journey.

If you want to open a cigar lounge designed to operate at peak efficiency, maximize profits, and minimize costs, you must invest in the right point of sale system from the outset.

Cigars POS offers a point of sale solution designed specifically for cigar lounge owners and smoke shops. Our solution offers features every cigar lounge operator needs, like age verification, scan data reporting, carton-pack inventory features, and more.

Schedule a free demo of our software today to see if Cigars POS is the right point of sale solution for your growing business.

Spence Hoffman Spence started out selling point of sale technology to cigar stores. He was so passionate about providing an industry-specific solution to tobacco shop owners that he started his own business: Cigars POS. Spence believes small business owners are essential to thriving communities. He writes passionately about marketing, inventory management, and POS software — three topics he believes every tobacco store owner should learn about. "I've seen firsthand how much courage it takes to build a thriving business. That's why I'm passionate about helping store owners make smarter inventory decisions that keep products moving and cash flow healthy. Small businesses are the backbone of thriving communities, and I'm committed to giving them the tools they need to succeed."

About Cigars POS

Cigars POS offers the ideal solution for tobacco, cigar, and pipe shop owners.No complex integrations, no contracts, no waiting on hold to talk to service reps who can't help you.

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