Newbie from Chicago

[hauntedmyst]

Welcome from another Chicagoan!

 

[Aomalley27]

Hello, thank you for that invitation and welcome. I realize that we are at an advantage being in Chicago and so close to Iwan Ries. I've been over there a couple of times and spoke with Harry who was extremely helpful and a good guy. I picked up a Savinelli Mattone 626 and a bunch of accessories and assorted tobaccos.

I look forward to possibly joining one of these meetings and getting to know some other Chicago pipe smokers. Are there some other pipe tobacco shops in Illinois that are worth checking out? Thanks again!

UpDown has pipe tobacco (they’re right across from Second City); there’s also the shop up in Arlington Heights... I believe it’s called Arlington Smoke shop or something close to that.
A nice day trip could find you venturing into Milwaukee to visit Uhle’s, and another nice day trip could be to The Briar and the Burley in Bloomington, IN.

 

[mso489]

Though I grew up near Chicago, I've never been to Iwan Ries since I didn't smoke a pipe in those years; however, I've done some business with IR online over the years. They're always prompt, helpful, and accurate with orders. I grew up in the suburb of Park Ridge, just adjacent to Edison Park in the city. The suburb used to have a highly developed Park Ridge Pipe Shop right near the tracks and commuter station, with a resident carver and incredible fragrance wafting out the door. Before going out of business, it became a sort of community center for counter culture kids. It was right across the park from the City Hall/Police Station and the Park Ridge Community Church where my family attended and I served first as an acolyte and then as an usher.

 

[Rustamgtx]

 

[mav]

Though I grew up near Chicago, I've never been to Iwan Ries since I didn't smoke a pipe in those years; however, I've done some business with IR online over the years. They're always prompt, helpful, and accurate with orders. I grew up in the suburb of Park Ridge, just adjacent to Edison Park in the city. The suburb used to have a highly developed Park Ridge Pipe Shop right near the tracks and commuter station, with a resident carver and incredible fragrance wafting out the door. Before going out of business, it became a sort of community center for counter culture kids. It was right across the park from the City Hall/Police Station and the Park Ridge Community Church where my family attended and I served first as an acolyte and then as an usher.

It sounds like the Park Ridge Pipe Shop would have been something I would have enjoyed going to. That is still a very nice area. I'm near downtown, two subway stops from Iwan Ries so it makes it easy. They ship from there website as well which will be convenient sometimes. Thank you so much for your kind welcome. I notice you post quite a bit so I am looking forward to learning more from your experience as a "seasoned" pipe smoker .

 

[mav]

UpDown has pipe tobacco (they’re right across from Second City); there’s also the shop up in Arlington Heights... I believe it’s called Arlington Smoke shop or something close to that.
A nice day trip could find you venturing into Milwaukee to visit Uhle’s, and another nice day trip could be to The Briar and the Burley in Bloomington, IN.

Thank you, I plan on checking out all of those places. Although the era of internet shopping is convenient, there's something about walking into a tobacco store and handling the pipes and talking shop with the guys there. 2 trips to Milwaukee and Bloomington are on my calendar.

 

[mav]

Welcome from another Chicagoan!

Thank you!

 

[chilllucky]

... there's something about walking into a tobacco store and handling the pipes and talking shop with the guys there...

My grandfather once told me that you don't properly "live" in a place until you know your Barber, Butcher, and Tobacconist by name.

 

[java3]

Welcome to the forum and to pippes mag!! I used to be from the SW burbs but, left in 92. I'm just on the MN side of the Canadian border. I have been off and on with the pipe since 1971...........I think it is 16 years straight this go round and I am still learning, too.

Java3

 

[SBC]

I visited IR once, on a work trip. You sure are blessed to live in such proximity to so many pipe smokers and shops!
Welcome from NE WI.

 

[SBC]

My grandfather once told me that you don't properly "live" in a place until you know your Barber, Butcher, and Tobacconist by name.

I love this.

 

[Aomalley27]

Thank you, I plan on checking out all of those places. Although the era of internet shopping is convenient, there's something about walking into a tobacco store and handling the pipes and talking shop with the guys there. 2 trips to Milwaukee and Bloomington are on my calendar.

UpDown is more cigar based
Arlington definitely has a larger selection of pipe tobacco and accoutrements
Uhle’s is more specialty/house blend focused*** they’ve quite a few really good house blends
Briar and Burley has a VAST selection of new pipes (thousands); and quite a selection of pipe tobacco. (A number of unicorns on the shelves)
Iwan Ries is just a huge selection of everything; LOVE perusing their Estate drawers. You can find solid Estates, just clean them thoroughly before use.

Be careful though; you’ll catch the bug and start including tobacco shrines in your future trips/vacations (ie. wilke’s In MA; Peretti’s in Boston; Gatlinburlier in Gatlinburg; Boswell’s in PA etc.?)

 

[Etipton]

Welcome from East Tennessee