Tobacco taxes aren't quite that abusive in N.C., an old tobacco state, but my Tinder Box, where I bought my first pipe and tobacco, has definitely changed. I try to stop by when I have occasion to go to the mall. Last time I was there, the tinned pipe tobacco and the pipe inventories were pretty thin. The shop employee (the owner wasn't there) told me there were new orders on the way. I wasn't sure if that was his assigned happy talk, nor exactly what that meant. The cigar humidor seemed to be fully stocked, so that's the revenue stream, and yet the tobacco tins were a third or half again the prices online. The pipes were all equivalents or less than what I have -- though that happens when you accumulate pipes. Nothing tempted me. Also, I'm most loyal to my local independent shop, Pipes by George, so I go there for some bulk tobacco, pipe cleaners, and the occasional pipe. I'm smoking one from George right now, a LaRocca poker that I spotted but didn't buy (too folksy with its carved rustication) but went back to buy weeks later, and have never regretted. Tinder Box is in a tricky position along with all of the tobacco pipe industry. Mine moved to a larger space off the main mall concourse, but obviously they are working to adapt to the regs and market. They need those college boys and young business types to come in and spend thirty to a hundred or more on stogies.
