Every cigar is a love story,” Miguel Baez (the new long island cigar boss) once told me over a delicious stogie at his store, the Village Cigar Headquarters in Patchogue, NY. “ It starts off uncertain. You don’t know what’s going on. You’re on unfamiliar ground and feeling each other out. By the halfway point, you’re engaged in a perfect balance of flavor and excitement. As you approach the final moments of the cigar, the end of the affair, you’re ready to begin the next one … to begin a new love affair.”
Baez’ cigar shop was the location of our photoshoot with DC, for the back cover of Issue #46. Baez himself wasn’t tremendously familiar with the bully breed, however; he knew the basics. He had had friends who owned bullies, who had spent time breeding various types of dogs. “I have a lot of friends who own champion-blood pitbulls. That was my first real exposure to the American Bully breed,” Baez said. “A friend of mine breeds bloodlines that are hard to find. I’ve always been around exotic cars, dogs, boats, airplanes, that sort of thing. The American Bully breed is another niche that I find interesting.”
Baez’ shop is one of the premier destinations for cigars on the south shore of Long Island. Nestled in the heart of Patchogue village, the store boasts basically any type of cigar you could possibly want from Montecristos to Drew Estates and more. As a huge cigar aficionado, I was very impressed with the spot. Baez’ own line of hand-rolls are fantastic, as well and a nice alternative to the boutique blends that you might be used to if you’re into cigars.
Serving in the United States Marine Corp. from 1992 to 1996, Baez was an ammunitions technician specialist and stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Years later, Baez and his wife Josephine would find themselves opening cigar stores on Long Island. The Village Cigar Headquarters is a neat and orderly place, with everything displayed beautifully. Baez and his wife are both caring, awesome people who genuinely support the community and are looking to further grow their brand across multiple regions.
“My mission was to bring something out to Long Island and try to revolutionize the image that cigar stores aren’t a shady, private club membership place,” Baez said. “My idea was to bring a business where women and men are welcome. When you walk into my store, you forget about your troubles and problems and are walking into a relaxing atmosphere. That was one of my quests to provide that sort of vibe. Everything is coming together, and is on course, right where I want it to be.”
If you’re new to the cigar world, that’s totally fine. Miguel and his wife are open to walking you through the complexities and nuances of each cigar. Whether you’re into something heavier like a Montecristo New York (a brick-and-mortar store exclusive) or a Drew Estate Acid Blondie (a delicious, candy-like smoke with tobacco aged alongside potpourri), you can find the perfect stogie to match what you’re looking for.
“I have a few ideas I’m working on. Some secret ingredients I’m putting together. One of the things I’m working on is our branding so we can open up multiple locations and expand throughout the country,” Baez said. “We have some areas we’re looking at. Again, my mission is not to lose focus on what I started. The future is full of good surprises.”
The Village Cigar Headquarters also travels to various events across Long Island, setting up a tent and selling stogies at your favorite music festival or craft beer party. You can find the hottest summer smokes at these events, though Baez also hand-rolls cigars at a majority of these events, too. The Montecristo New York Connoisseur is one of the best-selling cigar lines in the country right now. “New York, Miami, every city and state has one, it’s a big seller,” Baez said. There’s apparently a very exclusive Montecristo cigar coming out very soon, which is a Nicaraguan Puro, meaning that every part of the cigar is from Nicaragua. Three different regions, all across the country.
When we asked about Baez’ about his appreciation for the bully breed, he explains that he believes it’s important for publications like Bully Girl and more to highlight how beautiful and sweet the breed is. “There’s a lot of people who have a misconception about these types of dogs, and their bloodlines. Bully Girl Magazine is doing the right thing by educating people who don’t know much about the breed. Everyone thinks they’re killers, vicious, etc. That’s simply not the case and it’s good that a magazine like this gets the word out about appreciating the breed.”
