Leaf Cigar Emporium has opened a second New Jersey location in Old Bridge, expanding from its original store in Shrewsbury.
The Old Bridge store includes a nearly 900-square-foot fully humidified showroom, compared with the approximately 200-square-foot walk-in humidor at the Shrewsbury location. The new concept combines premium cigars, accessories and point-of-sale operations in one retail space.
Founder John Garofalo opened Leaf Cigar Emporium after working in corporate sales and operations in the energy and technology industries. The business has operated its Shrewsbury location for six years and has reported annual growth of approximately 10% to 20%, according to Garofalo.
Garofalo said the company’s retail strategy emphasizes in-person service, product recommendations and lounge space for customers. Leaf’s lounges offer Wi-Fi and printing access, and the company carries nearly 1,000 cigar selections.
“The biggest competition today isn’t another cigar shop. It’s online shopping,” Garofalo said in a press release. “What they can’t get online is the interaction with a tobacconist who knows them.”
