Best Pipe Vendors/Shops

[tinyred]

I have been an avid Cigar smoker for over 15 years and can speak to many facets of that world; however, I am new to the pipe world as of .... today! As I searched the forums with specific keywords and then reverted to going through the first couple pages of the beginner questions I still am challenged to know who the best pipe vendor(s) is(are) to purchase a pipe from.
I consider myself a bargain hunter - by that I mean I find great products at reasonable prices. I like products that may be discontinued, for example, because of a newer version. Which means that I can get a once superb, still top-notch product for a cost that is not 'MSRP' or non-sale. So with that being said I was curious to know what the members of this awesome site have insight into. Again, I am not looking for a Walgreens/Wal-Mart brand 'cheapie', even to get started, but I am looking for an honest vendor with honest pricing who enjoys what they do and not how much they make!
Lastly, I have searched Yelp in the Chicagoland area for what shops are best for the pipe aficionado and found Humidor. They have two locations near me, one large and one small. I reviewed their lounges and found this write-up - "This Avo lounge is only the 5th of it's kind in the country and features the exclusive "Avo Lounge Cigar"." Now I know it states cigar lounge, but they also claim to have pipe accouterments and was curious if any member here frequents this place or has been there once before and can tell me what to expect or look out for.
I am excited to go down this new path and have spent the last 4 hours going from link-to-link on this site enjoying all the information and knowledge. I am hoping my specific questions aren't so granular that I cannot be helped - but seeing the number of subject matter experts in these forums leads me to believe I can be 'saved' from my tribulations.

 

[rmbittner]

I used to live in Downers Grove, where the two Chicagoland Humidor lounges are located. (Although one's technically in Westmont.) These shops arrived after I left, but I visit the area frequently and have been in the Westmont Humidor. They really don't have much in the way of pipes and pipe tobacco. They very much cater to cigar smokers. But if you're looking for a comfortable place to smoke, they do have a nice lounge area. But it's the kind of cigar lounge where young men expect attractive young women to sell them their cigars. I didn't talk with said young women about pipes, but since they were a bit shaky on the cigar front, I doubt that you'll be pleased as a pipe smoker.
If you can get out to St. Charles, the Bull & Bear pipe/cigar shop would be a much better bet for you. They have lots of pipes (although most are off-brands), and have a really good -- and eclectic -- collection of tinned tobaccos and bulks. There's also a small lounge area for sitting around and smoking. But if Humidor's lounge is like a dark suburban nightclub, the Bull & Bear's is more like your grandparents' living room.
There also used to be a very good pipe/cigar shop at the Oakbrook mall, but I haven't looked for it for a very long time. It might be entirely cigars now. . . or it might be gone altogether.
Of course, if you ever get into the city, there are two "destination" shops: Iwan Ries and Up Down Cigar.

 

[jah76]

Hey Red welcome aboard.
I have always been impressed with Iwen Ries's down in Chicago. I always felt that they we're giving me good solid advice and even though I didn't have a big budget they spent a lot of time with me selecting some possible pipes and different kinds of tobacco.
I paid more in parking then I did in tobacco.....

 

[tinyred]

rmbittner - Wow, thank you so much for that sound bit of knowledge!! Makes me grateful for the idea of forums and for subject matter experts such as yourself!! I will heed your advice and make my way to St. Charles to try my hand at a Bull and Bear as that experience sounds much more up my alley. Add to that I would much rather have my better-half giving me free cigars at my own place over some bimbo-ettes trying to sell me some they know very little of!

 

[tinyred]

jah76 - I SOOOO hear you on the parking costs vs. product cost!!! I spent a short period of time in Chicago and found it funny that my travel time from the St. Ben's area took as much time as my express train from Naperville. On that note of digression - I will be making my way to Iwen Ries in Chicago as I work at Michigan Ave and the river...so I should be able to cab it over to the location! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[cigrmaster]

tiny, welcome to the forum. I would definitely check out Iwan Ries, they have one of the best selections of pipes, tobacco's and accessories in the entire country. Do you have a certain price range you are looking to spend on a pipe? If you let us know we can make some suggestions for you.

 

[bigboi]

+1 Cigrmaster on the price range thing. If you got a price range a lot of the guys on here can steer you in a good direction. That is what I am learning. I am finding good deals on some great estate pipes because of just listening to what people are putting on here.

 

[flmason]

Welcome to the forum Tiny. Plenty of members here to help you at any time with any questions you have.
Iwan Ries is a great shop in IL. I live in FL and have ordered from them many times in the past.
You might wish to consider joining the NASPC
www.naspc.org
They put out an excellent newsletter 6 times per year and also have specific shops that give member discounts.
Doug

 

[tinyred]

Well I am now SUPER-EAGER to get to *Iwan Ries (apologize for the earlier misspelling). My price range for a pipe would be $50-100 but since I am FAR from impatient I would want to see them in-person and pick it up at the same time I make the find. Based on that I'd be curious what people recommend. I have spent some time looking at what a lot have said in regards to others when it comes to estate pipes and the novice pipes and it seems overwhelming.

 

[tinyred]

All - Thank you for the information because it lead me to take a leap of faith and drive to Bull and Bear last night. I met the proprietor of the business (co-owner and husband 'Steve'), whom I am quite fond of now, and spent 40 minutes of additional time with, to learn much more about the art of pipe smoking.
It lead me to purchase two pipes. The first one caught my eye and is a real beauty from my perspective - A Design Berlin Junior Brandy - and I couldn't be happier with it. From there he gave me a great tutorial on the tobacco itself. I was able to smell it, learn from him about it, and understand the different types of it (especially since he had a handout with all the different types of English and Aromatic blends they offered in bulk). I ended up purchasing two English Blends to sample, at first. Polish Prince and Ralphs Choice - one being a black cavendish and the other being a blend of latakia (sp?) and virgina. I can say that I am leaning towards the Ralphs Choice (cavendish) thus far.
I then took my seat in his lounge, which was very welcoming and exactly as described, along with what I was looking for, and was taught the sacred art of packing the bowl. His description of how to handle it was SPOT ON ... 'Treat the bottom like a baby, the middle like a woman, and the top like a man' - I proceeded to ask him what the hell he was talking about where he then told me - 'Be gentle on packing the bottom, a little firmer in the middle, and pack it tightest on top' - It worked like a charm.
I was joined by Dave and Keith, and Dave, who had smoked pipes in a previous life decided to come back it 2 weeks ago, gave me some more info and we enjoyed a bowl, some laughs, and they both gave me some great knowledge. I couldn't have asked for a better tutorial. I then sat and admired the numerous pipes they had, got up and walked around, and found another pipe I liked - ultimately I purchased a second pipe and more tobacco - black rusticated 'Czech' made pipe, along with some McClelland Tastemaster. On my way home, just to try it, I packed another bowl with the new Tastemaster, in the second pipe, and enjoyed the hell out of it.
Additionally, Steve told me that THIS WEDNESDAY (2/20) is International Pipe Smoking Day (what PERFECT timing on my part to randomly jump into a new praxis). Since it was Wednesday Steve figured business would be sub-par so they would move it to today, Sunday, 2/17 instead, and invited me to come back - which I plan on doing without hesitation. He also spoke of the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club (CPCC) hosting the Chicago International Pipe & Tobacciana Show in May some time. This show is held in the Mega-Center at the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa Hotel in St. Charles, Illinois (800-999-3319 - which I am eager to learn more about and attend especially since it is 15 miles northwest of me!!!!
Final summation - I couldn't be happier with all the help you each have given me hear on this topic, other answers from other topics in this forum by you subject matter experts, and my first experience leading me to my new hobby and relaxing, enjoyable, and an overall fun experience!! THANK YOU ALL!!!

 

[rmbittner]

Wow, so glad to hear you had a good experience there -- especially since I recommended them! It's great to hear stories like this.
And if you poke around here a little bit, you'll discover that the "Chicago show" is the biggest annual pipe show in the States. To put it lightly: You will not be disappointed!
Bob

 

[ssjones]

I heartily recommend you get involved with the Chicagoland Club, they are one of the premier clubs in the US. I've been fortunate in being able to attend club meetings occasionally in NYC and Philly (I'll be in Philly Wednesday for the IPSD!). Pipes are always traded/sold at these meetings. I bet at the Chicago meeting some nice bargains could be realized along with invaluable advice from some of the most knowledgeable pipe smokers in the US. I wish that in this case that I lived closer to an urban area to enjoy the camaraderie on a more regular basis.
Welcome to our passion!