Arlington Pipe & Cigar (Chicago)

[Mike N]

I saw their table earlier this year at the Chicago Pipe Show and wanted to stop by on the the way back to O’Hare this afternoon. It’s about 10 miles from the airport. Large (30-40 large leather chairs or so) smoking lounge and great tin tobacco selection. I did pick up a couple of Savinelli Eleganza’s.

 

[chilllucky]

I am fortunate to live right on a commuter train line between Chicago's downtown and it's northwest suburbs.

From the stop a couple blocks away from our condo, I could get to either Iwan Ries or Arlington Pipe and Cigar in nearly the same amount of time.

97 times out of a hundred, I choose Arlington. It is the more comfortable room, physically and socially. The selection is incredible and the staff dedicated to pipes and tobaccos despite also having (and probably doing the majority of their business in) thousands of cigars.

If anyone was in the area and only had time to visit one, I would recommend Arlington unless you were downtown during the day for other reasons.

 

[khiddy]

Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll have to make a trip to visit! (A 90-min drive from South Bend, maybe a bit more, but as I have no local B&M, pilgrimages are something I am willing to do!)

 

[kcghost]

It looked like a nice selection of tobaccos on hand.

 

[Mike N]

It looked like a nice selection of tobaccos on hand.

Yes, quite extensive. Those small jars on the bottom shelf in the second photo are samples to see the cut and and get a tin note (but not for smoking.)

 

[khiddy]

I don't suppose you saw any Robert McConnell tins in stock there? I am seeking a source for McConnell Heritage Series Barking Road, but danged if I can find a ships-within-or-to-the-USA vendor.

Please note, I am not writing a WTB post with this comment, just looking for a pointer to a legitimate vendor! I pray that I am not running afoul of the rules, as I acknowledge I do not yet meet the membership length and quality post requirements to post in the Tobacco Sales/Trade section of this fine forum.

 

[craiginthecorn]

Arlington Pipe and Cigar features a selection of pipe tobacco that rivals Iwan Ries these days and has an exceptionally broad selection of tobaccos sold by the ounce. I don't believe they ship though. Very nice people, too. They are the home of the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club and they treat us like royalty.

The pipe selection focuses on the mid-market brands, like Peterson, Savinelli, but carry a small selection of artisan pipes and also Morgan Bones. For a larger selection of artisan pipes and luxury brands like Dunhill and Castello, Iwan Ries is the place to go in Chicagoland.

Excellent cigar selection, too.

Being an Illinois retailer, prices are necessarily higher than most online retailers, but with rare exception, if they sell a blend I want to buy, I buy it from them.

I do not recall seeing the specific McConnell's blend that was asked about.

 

[AroEnglish]

That's an amazing tin selection. I'll be adding Arlington to my list of shops to visit.

Were their staff pretty knowledgeable about pipes?

 

[Mike N]

That's an amazing tin selection. I'll be adding Arlington to my list of shops to visit.

Were their staff pretty knowledgeable about pipes?

Yes, one of the staff members (I believe his name was Josh) was very helpful and spent a lot of time with me. After I initially picked out an Eltang basic and then inquired about any Savinelli Eleganza’s that were not displayed, he told me they had a few few listed on line and retrieved the two I purchased from the back storage area of the store. I even got a 10% discount as a member of the North American Society of Pipe Collectors, which will hold its annual show next month in Columbus. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

 

[AroEnglish]

Yes, one of the staff members (I believe his name was Josh) was very helpful and spent a lot of time with me. After I initially picked out an Eltang basic and then inquired about any Savinelli Eleganza’s that were not displayed, he told me they had a few few listed on line and retrieved the two I purchased from the back storage area of the store. I even got a 10% discount as a member of the North American Society of Pipe Collectors, which will hold its annual show next month in Columbus. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Yeah that sounds like a great experience.

 

[slavman68]

My favorite shop I've ever been to. The staff is really friendly and they have a great selection as well. It's also where the Chicago pipe collectors club meets and I highly recommend joining if you're from the area.