This year marks the 10th anniversary of Tony Ghaffari’s ownership of Your Cigar Den. In the past decade, the establishment has been the State College hub for premium cigars, plush smoke lounges, and tobacco products and accessories. This cornerstone of State College is owned by Ghaffari and has been since his purchase in 2014. To celebrate the anniversary, here is Your Cigar Den’s story from the man himself.
Ghaffari is of Cuban descent, which is something he says lends itself to his connection to cigars. Due to this long-time interest, 25 years ago, after he moved to State College, he became a regular at Your Cigar Den under its previous owner. His love for what the establishment had to offer, like meeting a wide variety of people and hearing their stories, ultimately led to his acquisition of the business. “Moving from customer to owner came very naturally,” Ghaffari said.
The store has thrived under Ghaffari’s ownership. What started as a cigar shop with a limited selection, has turned into a local hotspot that provides a plethora of options. With 400 different cigars, 40 pipe tobaccos, and accessories from major manufacturers, the business has boomed under Ghaffari’s ownership.
The store also offers cigar dinners complete with themes and ambiance. What is more fun than a luau with a tiki bar and grass skirts or an Oktoberfest fit with lederhosen and dirndl? Wunderbar! The biggest themed event Your Cigar Den holds annually is their signature Havana Fest, bringing in over 200 visitors from several states away. The night is packed with Cuban music, dancers’ food, and coffee. When asked about notable moments for the business, Ghaffari mentioned the 12 days of Christmas events that started 8 years ago, a vast multiday party that many other companies have attempted but couldn’t pull off. The party has been a massive success, with daily vendors for food, libations, music, and cigars.
Under Ghaffari’s leadership, the future of your cigar den looks bright. He has plans for a monthly mail-order box, a very trendy practice right now, that would include spices, delicious BBQ sauces, and classic mixers for specialty cocktails. Additionally, they are working on expanding their media presence and putting the word out about their up-and-coming curbside pickup!
As well as the beloved downtown location, Ghaffari also has a second store on North Atherton that is thriving. That said, any State College residents in the market for premium cigars, or more importantly, a riveting and diverse new group of people, should go out and explore what this unique business model offers. Provide support for Ghaffari and everyone else at Your Cigar Den. Your Cigar Den is located at 127 S Fraser Street, or you can check out their website and Instagram page.
