MUSKEGON, MI – There aren’t many places in Michigan that allow indoor smoking - The Humidor in downtown Muskegon is one of them.
However, it was closed over the weekend for work on its ventilation system that’s meant to keep smoke out of common areas and neighboring businesses. The business has also had trouble with its bring-your-own-alcohol policy that local law enforcement kiboshed.
During the first few days of business in January, cigar smoke was escaping the lounge into the hallway that’s shared with Pigeon Hill Brewing Company and Topshelf Liquor & Pizza, The Humidor managing partner Janelle Marshall-Wever said.
The Nobel Building, 500 W. Western Ave., that houses all three businesses is owned by Mike Kordecki. Kordecki also owns The Humidor.
There are clear indications that the new smoke shop has not been embraced by all of its neighbors.
Signs on Pigeon Hill’s doors apologize for the “strong odor of cigars" and welcome the new neighbor to the building while making clear that the businesses are not affiliated.
A recent post on The Humidor Facebook page accuses a “neighbor” of calling the police about the bring-your-own-alcohol policy and of filing a petition with the local health department about the smoke in the hallway. The post clearly points to Pigeon Hill as that neighbor “that is trying to get us shut down."
"They have done everything in their power to damage our business,” the post states. At the end of the post, readers are encouraged to “support our friends” at Topshelf Liquor Bar & Pizza, the only other Nobel Building neighbor
The Humidor was closed over the weekend of Feb. 8-10 while work was ongoing on its ventilation system. The plan is to reopen this week, but it’s unclear what day, Marshall-Wever said in a Facebook message. Normal business hours are 1-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon to midnight Friday-Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday
Pigeon Hill Co-owner Michael Brower said the health department was contacted about The Humidor’s smoke out of health concerns.
“We want to see success for all the new businesses downtown ... we don’t want to harm any of them,” Brower said. “Our concern was the health, safety and welfare of our patrons and staff, and their right to breathe clean air.”
Michigan’s indoor smoking ban began in 2010. However, a special permit and the ventilation system - when it’s functioning properly - allow cigars and pipes to be smoked inside The Humidor.
About half of the complaints submitted to the health department came from Pigeon Hill staff and patrons, Brower said.
“My hope is that with the ventilation repairs, the issue will be addressed,” said Brower who is an occasional cigar smoker. “When it’s addressed, I’d like to get in there and check it out myself. We want them to be successful.”
A sign on the lounge’s door informs visitors that they cannot bring their own alcohol at this time. Bring-your-own-food is still allowed.
In January, bring-your-own-alcohol was in full swing and six-packs from neighboring Pigeon Hill brewery were a popular option, Marshall-Wever said.
But a few days later, she was informed by local law enforcement that the bring-your-own policy in practice was outside the law.
The problem was that people could not bring in their own alcohol without being asked to purchase a cigar, said Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson, whose office reviewed a complaint filed with the Muskegon Police Department.
“You can’t require people to buy a cigar if they come in with alcohol,” he said. “It’s similar to giving away beer and charging for the cup.”
Marshall-Wever is working to reinstate the bring-your-own policy.
There are other cigar lounges - Ash Tobacco in Gaylord, Downtown Smoking Club in Lansing and Surroundings in Manistee - that allow customers to bring alcohol.
When The Humidor re-opens this week, there will at least be plenty of cigars to choose from - about 150-200 varieties.
“In today’s world, tobacco isn’t really socially acceptable, but we want to provide a place for people to enjoy themselves,” Marshall-Wever said. “To me, cigars and pipes are a whole different animal than cigarettes or vape; it’s about the experience, not the nicotine hit.”
Smoking cigars is not safer than smoking cigarettes, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A single cigar can contain as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.
All the cigars sold at The Humidor are premium handmade and chemical-free, Marshall-Wever said. Most are priced from $6-$10, with the most expensive one – Fuente Opus X Lost City – being $33.
“I like to compare cigars to wine,” she said. “It’s a real artisan product.”
Where the tobacco is grown, the blend of leaves and how they’re aged all contribute to the flavor, Marshall-Wever said.
She doesn’t have a favorite, but would probably recommend a cigar from the Dominican Republic if asked.
“I would hardly smoke the same thing two days in a row,” Marshall-Wever said. “I like to try new flavors, but I’ve noticed that I really like Dominican Republic cigars.”
She began smoking cigars on occasion while golfing a few years ago. After a visit to a cigar lounge in the Traverse City area, she and her husband, Todd Wever, decided to pursue opening their own in Muskegon.
“I became passionate about it in a short period of time,” Marshall-Wever said.
The old school shop is decorated with wood and leather furniture, and antique ash trays.
Customers must be at least 18 years old to enter The Humidor.
Other Muskegon-area cigar shops include West Side Smoke Shop and Wild Bill’s Tobacco.