Great Places To Smoke Cigars–Maxi’s Cigar Lounge, Franklin Square, NY
Posted By Lucas Woith on February 7, 2011
Part 2 in a Series
By: Lucas Woith
Most of my work on this blog will be centered on the Midwest, namely Central Illinois. However, with me being a resident of the east coast, now living on Long Island, NY, I will occasionally talk about a place out here. One of the first cigar shops I visited after I moved here was Maxi’s Cigar Lounge, located in Franklin Square, NY, not too far from the Queens/Nassau County border.
When I walked into the shop one early morning in 2009, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a small shop, and as I walked in, the first thing I see is cigarettes behind the counter. Normally, this is a sign that I’m not in a “true cigar shop”. However, this establishment had come highly recommended by Gene Arganese, so i walked into the walk in humidor. I was met by a gentleman named Frank who offered to help. He was not an employee, but was helping the owner out while he was running some errands. I ended up purchasing an Arganese sampler pack, as well as a cigar I had never heard of before that came recommended by Frank, called Canimao. Frank also recommended a cigar by Martinez Cigar Company, which hand rolls their cigars in midtown Manhattan.
He than led me back to the private lounge, complete with flat screen TV, leather recliners, and a Golden Tee machine. It looked like a great place to hang out. I started talking to Frank as a few other members wondered in. The store’s motto is, “come as strangers, leave as friends”, and I could already tell that was happening here. After a while, owner Jack Joshi came back, and we had a nice chat. As I was getting ready to leave to hit another cigar store, Jack said he had just gotten a call from Pete Johnson, owner of Tatuaje cigars, and he was going to stop by for a visit. I figured I should stay for this. We ended up talking with Pete for a few hours.
One treat about Maxi’s is spending a Saturday or Sunday morning there chatting with Mark Weinberg, who is very knowledgable about cigars, and will always offer suggestions and advice to a newbie cigar smoker. Other senior members, including Larry, Jay, and Kenny are also usually around to help people with their cigar selections. These are some of the best guys I’ve met in my cigar smoking times, and it’s an honor to call them friends!
Maxi’s is a gem in the Long Island cigar shop scene, complete with a great selection of cigars, knowledgeable and friendly members, and a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. If you’re ever in downstate New York, Maxi’s is a must visit shop. It’s located at 749 Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square, NY. They are open from 8 AM until 10 PM (usually)
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