Well, I’m back after a little vacation time and I’m getting ready for our move to new facilities and for new products. We’ll be moving to a large space above our new retail store, so everything will be in one place, which will make things much more efficient for both the B&M and our mail-order operation. No more running from one building to the other when something is needed. I should also have a nice area for blending, and I’ll be able to set things up to make things easier and quicker.
I’m still waiting on the status of the tobaccos for the new blends. Hopefully I’ll hear soon so I can have some of the blends ready in time for the Richmond show. I’ll have at least 2 flakes coming out, and I’ll be working on a Burley/Virginia flake with a unique twist. With any luck at all, we’ll roll out a number of items before year’s end.
We won’t be going to Columbus, since a one-day show is a lot of work and expense, and this year everybody’s watching their pennies. We will be going to Richmond, though, since it really costs little more to do a 2 day show, plus it gives me a chance to make some stops that will be very useful.
Classic Burley Kake has turned out to be a winner. The reviews and customer feedback has been very positive, and the orders are coming in fast. Thanks to everyone who has tried it and sent an email or called me with their comments. Now that I’ve found the method, other aromatics may follow.
As the summer begins to wind down, we’ll be gearing up for a big increase in pipe and tobacco sales (which always seem to pick up in the fall), and as a start, we’ve brought in some pipes from a terrific, relatively new American pipemaker, Kevin Arthur. I bought a couple of his pipes at Chicago this year. They’re visually stunning, and great smokers as well. All of them are one-of-a-kind, and very reasonable. Take a look on our site.
That’s all for now. Enjoy the heat while you can.
