I encourage you to go. Pipes smokers here in the area are getting a bit worried. Stock is way down in the store - almost seems like they're going to be closing. No one has any news but it would be a catastrophe if they closed!
Show Us Your Blatter Pipes
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I go every time im in town and spend a hundred plus.
I mentioned this in a previous post. Their back wall behind the cash is devoid of most tobacco. It's getting more difficult for them to have any on hand. Pierre was mentioning the ban on flavoured tobacco and the lack of product from their distributors makes it nearly impossible to have anything on hand.
They still have their cigar sales and their pipes are great - but you can't continue a business downtown like that for long on cigar and pipe sales alone.....it's probably a matter of time.
Blatter and Blatter Canadian. The briar one is at home.
Just saw your post now! Thanks for the heads up.
I know them to see them and say hi, but didn't feel at ease to ask how they were doing or what was happening. I usually drop in there to buy cigars. Bought some pipe tobacco last time I was there, but even the cigar selection was getting down. But I really want to encourage them. Keep dreaming of the possibility of an anniversary year pipe coming up in 2027 if I'm not mistaken. I've been investing mostly in tobacco as of late, but maybe I'll have to take a look at a few pipes as well.
I was there Saturday and it was sad to see it in that state.
I agree. Was by last Friday - picked up a cigar. Patrick seemed in better spirits. Someone else was in the shop and bought a cigar too. The lower priced pipes under the counter - there weren't too many. Down below and in the other cases there were some nicer ones. I'm going to keep trying to go in regularly to pick up a cigar or two and pipes cleaners and stuff and maybe some tobacco if I see something interesting.
This is not good. Besides Vesz and Parks, they are the only artisans still making pipes in Canada. It would really be a shame to see the store shut down - especially after they had a manufacture and 5 stores, if I remember well, up into the 60s.
Its really sad to see. Whats worse is its not even due to consumer habits changing, its all due to regulations from tyrannical governments who lump in cigar and pipe smokers with cigarette smokers.
I think having to be shut down during covid really hurt them. As Robert said one time at the store - the regulations have always been changing and honestly, they seemed to be rolling with the punches. There was quite a lot of stock despite packaging rules etc.. I think they have serious issues with their supplier because the other local to tobacco shops have normal quantities. Obviously there is a change in fashion- despite a large community online, I don’t come across a lot of pipe smokers, (versus cigars) in my travels. But as well, I think what has hurt them a lot is the loss of business to online retailers. Aromatics can't be sold so a lot went online for that. But as well, the search for cheap tobacco, at all cost, has dwindled the market and the lack of solidarity with local b&m shops. Do I buy online? Of course! Do I have a bottomless wallet? No! I'm not a CEO! BUT - I LOVE these places and craftsmen and I want to do everything in my means to encourage them and support them. Regularly buying tins, cigars, pipes locally is what's going to keep them going. The pipesmokers who are out there are a solid market, even if we are a small group. A tin here and there is not going to wipe anyone out I don’t think. If I can't even put a few bucks down for that, then maybe I have to give up pipesmoking because I can't afford it. Or I can go tell Pierre and the other local dealers of the great deals I'm finding online. (Sorry if I ranted a bit.
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It sucks all around as they are a great shop.I think having to be shut down during covid really hurt them. As Robert said one time at the store - the regulations have always been changing and honestly, they seemed to be rolling with the punches. There was quite a lot of stock despite packaging rules etc.. I think they have serious issues with their supplier because the other local to tobacco shops have normal quantities. Obviously there is a change in fashion- despite a large community online, I don’t come across a lot of pipe smokers, (versus cigars) in my travels. But as well, I think what has hurt them a lot is the loss of business to online retailers. Aromatics can't be sold so a lot went online for that. But as well, the search for cheap tobacco, at all cost, has dwindled the market and the lack of solidarity with local b&m shops. Do I buy online? Of course! Do I have a bottomless wallet? No! I'm not a CEO! BUT - I LOVE these places and craftsmen and I want to do everything in my means to encourage them and support them. Regularly buying tins, cigars, pipes locally is what's going to keep them going. The pipesmokers who are out there are a solid market, even if we are a small group. A tin here and there is not going to wipe anyone out I don’t think. If I can't even put a few bucks down for that, then maybe I have to give up pipesmoking because I can't afford it. Or I can go tell Pierre and the other local dealers of the great deals I'm finding online. (Sorry if I ranted a bit.
If feasible (time vs cost vs resources), nothing prevents them from launching an online store for their pipes, though. That could definitively help them.
It would be nice if they could ship to the US as well. Is it only tobacco they can't ship over here?
Well if one checks out the Blatter offerings on line for their hand made pipes there isn't much if anything for sale.
That's been the case for some time now. It's really a shame. I hope they still have plenty of handmades in the shop.
That's been the case for some time now. It's really a shame. I hope they still have plenty of handmades in the shop.
Looks like your Blatter is full.