I guess it was inevitable. All good things come to an end if you wait long enough. But I really hoped against hope that it wouldn’t happen during my pipe smoking career but alas, my favorite B & M has closed its doors for good. Sadly I can’t say that it was a surprise or I didn’t see it coming.
Since 1891, pipe and cigar aficionados living in the Baltimore metro area were no doubt familiar with the name Fader’s, the oldest pipe and tobacco retailer in the area. The original Fader's was located in downtown Baltimore on Calvert Street. That location closed a good ten years ago, with locations in Towson, Owings Mills, and Catonsville remaining. It was the Catonsville location that I knew best and is the subject of this post.
I first discovered Fader’s back in the early 70’s when the Catonsville location resided in the long-since defunct Westview Mall. Besides the usual pipes, tobaccos & cigars, they also carried "gifts of distinction for men" as the store frontage announced. It wasn’t a pipe I was after when I first darkened their doorway but a stunning solid hardwood chess board that was on display, the likes of which I could find nowhere else. Pipes had yet to become the all-consuming passion they are for me today but that first introduction to quality briar and particularly Danish freehands on display planted the seed that would later blossom into an obsession.
Being a cigarette smoker for most of my adulthood, it wasn’t until 2001 that I really discovered the joys of the pipe and began frequenting Fader’s earnestly, which had long ago relocated to a strip mall on the corner of Rolling Road and Route 40 West. Over the next 16 years I purchased countless pipes and many pounds of tobacco from this wonderful B & M. But what really attracted me to Fader’s were its staff and clientele, many of whom were dedicated pipe and cigar nuts like myself. Mike, Mark, Bert, Jeff, Don, and Skip (Skip sadly is no longer with us), always made you feel at home with great conversation and laughter. I spent many a Saturday afternoon in their fine company, blissfully enjoying the latest Pease blend or a new K. Hansotia creation.
Fader's Mike (the beardless gent on the right)
Beginning sometime last year, I noticed their stocks of tinned tobacco becoming less and less, with few if any new pipes on display. By April the situation appeared dire, with many gaps and empty rows among both their tinned tobacco displays and cigar humidor. I feared the end was near, but never voiced my concern to the guys. I guess deep down I didn’t want to know that my favorite haunt was in trouble.
Fader's Mark (when he's not behind the mic at WBJC)
Life had been busy for me these past few months and I had little time to spend away from home and family on my weekends off. I hadn’t visited Fader’s in some time and was running desperately low on pipe cleaners and other supplies. A few weeks ago I planned a Saturday trip to commiserate with the guys and stock up. But as I neared the store I noticed that the
Open sign wasn’t lit and the store appeared dark. My heart sank when I read the notice on the door, announcing the store’s permanent closure and thanking its loyal customers for their support over the years. Yep, it finally happened: Fader’s is no more. At least that’s true of the Catonsville location; I’m not sure about the others.
Fader's Bert (center) During a Camacho Show
I cannot express how fundamental this B & M, and particularly Mike, Mark, Jeff, and Skip were to my evolution as the dedicated pipe smoker and collector I am today. Thanks so much guys! You passed your collective knowledge on with skill and acumen, never condescending with novices nor snobbish in your pipe recommendations. Fader’s was an oasis where you were free to light up and join in the conversation or simply sit back and smoke in solitude.
Pipemaker Luigi Viprati at Fader's
And that’s the main benefit B & M’s offer. Sure, you can buy pipes, tobacco & cigars cheaper on the internet. But if you value being able to smoke with like-minded folks in a friendly, unhurried atmosphere, a good B & M is a gift from God and needs your patronage and support — now more than ever. Fader’s was a great B & M and one that I will miss profoundly. Godspeed my friends.
