Richie has spent over 40 years within all facets of the tobacco industry. Residing in New York, from 1979-2000 he built and operated 11 retail enterprises ranging from Convenience stores, Delis, Liquor and discount cigarette outlets to Cigar, Tobacco, and Smoke shops. For the next 20 years he worked for Big Tobacco and Small Tobacco spending the last 15 years within the wholesale distribution industry.
Before retiring with his wife to Arizona in July of 2019 he spent the last 3 years traveling throughout the Northeastern states. During this time he was visiting, and assisting hundreds of tobacco retailers. If you were building a cigar store or owned one that needed improvement; Richie was the man to get for valued advice on store layout and construction. When your Walk in Humidor was built to his specifications or you had cigar cabinets ready to fill, he would make the selections and physically set up the displays himself. He also had a unique ability to transform outdated and unmaintained cigar displays into finished works of art. It was this service in particular that created an ongoing waiting list of retailers wanting him to visit.
Richie is an avid cigar smoker and lover of single malt whiskeys and craft beers. He enjoys skeet, trap and target shooting, as well as car auctions and motor sports.
As you cruise along our great site you’ll see some of my reviews stating that a particular cigar will gain strength and or intensity as you smoke it. I’m sure we’ve all experienced this at one time or another. Other
Many of us have purchased a premium cigar, sat back, clipped it and lit up expecting an enjoyable experience only to find out that whoever made it wrapped the contents so tight you couldn’t even draw on it. It’s not
Greetings to our valued Cigar Thief friends. In May I entered the Jaguar I had in a local car show sponsored by a great regional charity and won Best In Class! As much fun as that was, the real reward
It’s hard to believe over two years have passed since I joined our small family owned business. Since then, Cigar Thief has grown through thick and thin. We’ve had to compete with multi billion dollar companies, dealt with
After posting on May 20th about some great brand offerings that were priced relatively affordable, many of you reached out in agreement. It’s always great to hear from our Cigar Thief smokers. A bunch of folks asked me to keep
We are more than excited to add one what I feel is an amazing new brand on our site. Check them out and grab a five pack to try. You’ll thank me after you smoke them for sure! Antonio Lam
One thing I can say about our great bunch of Cigar Thief smokers is they’re very well informed about most of the major cigar makers and the countless offerings available to us all. It seems like “Boutique” and “Small Batch”
Now that summer has officially begun, we hope you’re all having some long awaited and well deserved fun in nicer weather. And of course, enjoying your favorite cigars outdoors in whatever wide open and inviting spaces that are “Cigar Friendly”
When I sign onto Cigar Thief each day as I’ve done for 2 years, I’m still amazed with all the new cigars coming to market. While boutique small batch companies continue introducing themselves and their offerings, the major manufacturers are
HAPPY END OF WINTER!! It been a long , cold and hard one in more ways than climate. While many of our terrific shoppers have been bombarded by the elements, all of us have been trying to get used to
I’ve been in the industry for over 40 years and have rarely seen things that seriously get my attention. I came across this totally unique device months ago and reached out to the company to find out more about it.
ONWARD AND UPWARDS! Last month I informed all our valued Cigar Thief shoppers about the positive additions and changes our young company would experience as 2021 proceeds. After speaking with many of you who experienced “glitches” while visiting the website,
We made it! And hopefully everyone of us can put last year in the rear view mirror…….FOREVER! All of us at Cigar Thief are looking forward to a new year filled with lots of positive changes to make your cigar
Over these last months, I’ve immensely enjoyed becoming connected with so many of our website shoppers from around the country as well as in other countries! You’ve allowed me to share my thoughts and experiences as I have been granted
Back in April I shared some brief thoughts of what was to become a world altering event. As springtime transitioned into Summer then Fall it became starkly evident that COVID 19 would be with us for the foreseeable future. I
As the seasons change throughout the country we, at The Cigar Thief, want to thank you for your patronage and patience. Over these last several months our small family owned marketplace has experienced both growth and growing pains. While growth
There’s an old saying, “Only two things are inevitable, Death and Taxes”. I kind of agree about dying, but when it comes to taxes, we’ve all see countless examples of folks successfully evading them. When a tax is attached to
While living in New York the majority of my life I had a vast network of contacts for most every need like trusted plumbers, electricians, carpenters, handymen, masons and mechanics. I also had my favorite restaurants, hotels, beaches and local
As the attached article states, Nat Sherman International will be out of business sometime next month. I have fond memories of being the company’s Regional Manager of New York State many year ago. They were a great family to work
Hey wait a minute you may be saying, this is a cigar site not a motorcycle store! I guess your right. However, by this point in time, I think you’ve all gotten to know me a bit as I’ve gotten
Many of us that enjoy cigars undoubtedly savor a favorite Whiskey, Bourbon, Beer, Wine or other relished libation along with it. My wife Jennifer happens to be Scottish. Shortly after we met, given her heritage and my love of Single
Because I’m an old guy, I remember when I was a kid seeing older men smoking cigars not from bundles. Even then, I loved the aroma. Those were the days! Domestic Brands like El Producto, Phillies, King Edward, A&C,Dutch Master,
Before we get to Cigar Dinners, I have to admit something. I’m saddened to say that along with enjoying Premium Cigars, I was a cigarette smoker for most of my life. I can recall seating in the Smoking Sections of
Ok, relax! As you probably know there are a zillion articles and opinions about cigar Humidors. When I was brought into the CIGAR THIEF crew I was very honest about how I didn’t want to share my experiences, knowledge and
Of course all of us here at The Cigar Thief want you to purchase all of your cigars from us! But we know that every now and again you may wind up in another town, state or country; finding yourself
Mold is green in color not white and is caused by either over-humidification or use of regular water in their Humidification systems.
