Indiana To Sarasota, FL - What's Along The Way?

[hoosierpipeguy]

Leaving for FL Friday. Since we're going for two months, I'm driving so we can take more things down. I'm planning on a two day trip making it somewhere South of Atlanta on Friday. Right now, I'm thinking Indianapolis to Cincinnati to Knoxville to Chattanooga to Atlanta then straight to Sarasota. Planning to stop at Smokeys in Knoxville and McScooges which is a high end liquor store that a friend owns. Both are right off the interstate.

Any other hidden Jewels B&Ms I should try to visit along the way? I won't have a ton of extra time so I can't drive more than thirty minutes out of the way. And that would be pushing it. Any recommendations?

 

[Akousticplyr]

TobaccoPipes.com has their small retail store in Spring Hill, FL. It's well north of Tampa and Sarasota, but might be worth checking out. Maybe call them first?

 

[gamzultovah]

Davidoff’s in Tampa is always nice, but I would HIGHLY recommend that you go to the Pipe Den in Vero Beach. A true pipe B&M with a truly fantastic owner. They have literally hundreds of new and estate pipes. It’s worth the drive.

 

[greeneyes]

Davidoff’s in Tampa is always nice, but I would HIGHLY recommend that you go to the Pipe Den in Vero Beach. A true pipe B&M with a truly fantastic owner. They have literally hundreds of new and estate pipes. It’s worth the drive.

The Marshbanks (Bob & Sue) are great folks. If you're into estate pipes, especially Dunhills and Sasieni, I'd take a little spending cash too. The number of excellent and economically-priced estate pipes in the Pipe Den is staggering. I spent hours just browsing.

But to answer your original question: Waffle House, Waffle House, Waffle House and ... Waffle House.

 

[briarbuck]

Leaving for FL Friday. Since we're going for two months, I'm driving so we can take more things down. I'm planning on a two day trip making it somewhere South of Atlanta on Friday. Right now, I'm thinking Indianapolis to Cincinnati to Knoxville to Chattanooga to Atlanta then straight to Sarasota. Planning to stop at Smokeys in Knoxville and McScooges which is a high end liquor store that a friend owns. Both are right off the interstate.

Any other hidden Jewels B&Ms I should try to visit along the way? I won't have a ton of extra time so I can't drive more than thirty minutes out of the way. And that would be pushing it. Any recommendations?

Cincinnati Strauss Tobacconist Downtown Cincy. One of the oldest cigar shops in the US. Jim's been the owner for 40+ years and you can still smoke in the store. At any moment you could be sitting there smoking a cigar next to Oscar Robinson or Jeff Ruby. Cool spot. They have a location in Florence as well that has more Pipe stuff.

Cincinnati is well worth a night for the food these days. PM me if you want suggestion places to go.

 

[BROBS]

Cincinnati Strauss Tobacconist Downtown Cincy. One of the oldest cigar shops in the US. Jim's been the owner for 40+ years and you can still smoke in the store. At any moment you could be sitting there smoking a cigar next to Oscar Robinson or Jeff Ruby. Cool spot. They have a location in Florence as well that has more Pipe stuff.

Cincinnati is well worth a night for the food these days. PM me if you want suggestion places to go.

ROFL
https://www.reddit.com/r/cincinnati/comments/26adi6 Haven't found anything in OH worth visiting, personally.

My answer to the OP was going to be "nothing?"

 

[briarbuck]

ROFL
https://www.reddit.com/r/cincinnati/comments/26adi6 Haven't found anything in OH worth visiting, personally.

My answer to the OP was going to be "nothing?"

Here's to you big fella. From me an the rest of the Queen City.

 

[BROBS]

lol Sorry man.

 

[briarbuck]

lol Sorry man.

It's no problem...Richard.

 

[BROBS]

Honestly though that store does look badass if Cinci is on his way.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I’d visit the Florence Strauss over the Cincinnati one.
Greek Chili Roolz.

 

[briarbuck]

I’d visit the Florence Strauss over the Cincinnati one.
Greek Chili Roolz.

Florence has more selection for sure, but it's in a strip Mall in No Ky. Doesn't have the History of the DT location. The DT location is the 3rd oldest continuous tobacco shop in the US.

 

[gamzultovah]

The Marshbanks (Bob & Sue) are great folks. If you're into estate pipes, especially Dunhills and Sasieni, I'd take a little spending cash too. The number of excellent and economically-priced estate pipes in the Pipe Den is staggering. I spent hours just browsing.

But to answer your original question: Waffle House, Waffle House, Waffle House and ... Waffle House.

Yes, and Waffle House! How could I forget that???

 

[eslavs]

TobaccoPipes.com has their small retail store in Spring Hill, FL. It's well north of Tampa and Sarasota, but might be worth checking out. Maybe call them first?

I didn't think that they sold anything out of that location, just internet sales only.

 

[krizzose]

Here's to you big fella. From me an the rest of the Queen City.

I’ve only been to Cinci twice, but I liked it quite a bit

 

[Akousticplyr]

I didn't think that they sold anything out of that location, just internet sales only.

Agreed, I wasn't sure. But I saw this in their FAQ: "Our staff and products do have a permanent home in a small retail location in Spring Hill, Florida. We know you’ve never heard of it, that’s okay. We’re 45 minutes north of Tampa and just a few steps and a bikini from the Gulf of Mexico (we know you’re jealous). "

 

[jaygreen55]

Once you get to Sarasota you should/must check out Bennington Tobacconists. It's an old time family owned business (est 1965) that has a nice pipe department along with the a fantastic cigar selection. They also blend their own tobaccos instead of selling the usual Lane or Suttliff bulks, I've never been there myself but I have been ordering their tobacco online. They are outstanding but very pricey. If you like aromatics try Connoiseur's Choice or Rich"s blend. Knightsbridge is an outstanding English blend. I find the tobaccos on a par with Wilke Tobacco, Park Lane, Country Squire, Uhle's and other fine boutique blenders

Since 1965! - https://www.benningtons.com/pages/frontpage

Their page on Tobacco reviews

Bennington Tobacconist - All Blends - https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/brand/776/bennington-tobacconist

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I stopped at the Strauss store in Florence a year ago. They had very little to offer in pipe tobacco at the time I was there. Vero Beach is on the East Coast, Sarasota is on the West Coast. I'd love to see it but not 4 hours driving worth. The house we're renting is on Siesta Key as is Benningtons. I've been there numerous times in the past and will certainly visit. The Florida tobacco tax has killed pipe tobacco sales in Florida I think.

I stopped at Smokys in Knoxville. Decent selection but didn't have much I don't already have. Bought a couple of tins of Old Gowrie. Stopped at McScrooges in Knoxville which used to have a great selection of high end bourbon. No longer unfortunately. No Blanton's or Weller. In fact, the shelves we're bare of any Buffalo Trace blends to speak of. Got a bottle of Old Forrester 1920 and Bullitt Special Edition made for McScrooges I was assured was excellent.

 

[gamzultovah]

I stopped at the Strauss store in Florence a year ago. They had very little to offer in pipe tobacco at the time I was there. Vero Beach is on the East Coast, Sarasota is on the West Coast. I'd love to see it but not 4 hours driving worth. The house we're renting is on Siesta Key as is Benningtons. I've been there numerous times in the past and will certainly visit. The Florida tobacco tax has killed pipe tobacco sales in Florida I think.

I stopped at Smokys in Knoxville. Decent selection but didn't have much I don't already have. Bought a couple of tins of Old Gowrie. Stopped at McScrooges in Knoxville which used to have a great selection of high end bourbon. No longer unfortunately. No Blanton's or Weller. In fact, the shelves we're bare of any Buffalo Trace blends to speak of. Got a bottle of Old Forrester 1920 and Bullitt Special Edition made for McScrooges I was assured was excellent.

You are correct, Hoosier. The Pipe Den has to charge $30.00 per tin in order to stay profitable and meet the tax guidelines. What is neat about the Pipe Den is the moment you walk through the door you feel like you stepped back in time. But Vero Beach is no Siesta Key, so the drive has little to offer. Now Waffle House on the other hand....

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

There are Waffle House restaurants throughout the Midwest. I like mine smothered and covered.