Happy Anniversary to Us!
Part Two
As March 2017 approaches, M.A.’s Smokehouse wraps up its 40th year of serving Shreveport-Bossier’s pipe and cigar community. Local freelance writer Jeff Slaughter recently sat down with manager Buddy Williams to reminisce about those 40 years.
In Part One of the interview, Buddy discussed the early years of M.A.’s Smokehouse. In Part Two, Buddy tells us what he enjoys about the business, how former customer’s adult grandchildren are still ordering their grandfather’s favorite tobacco, and what the future of the business looks like.
How has M.A.’s Smokehouse evolved over the years?
Well, we started as a pipe shop and then grew the cigar side of our business and now we stock a lot of tobacco, accessories and smoking equipment. Plus, in our new locations we have indoor smoking rooms (and an outdoor lounge at Towne Oaks) so that guys can bond together over a good pipe.
We’re also unique in that that aren’t many high-end pipe and tobacco shops in this part of the world. Pipes sell better in cold weather areas, so we’re pretty unique in the south.
What do you enjoy about the business?
I enjoy the friendships I’ve made over the years – I’ve known some of these guys since I started working here 40 years ago, as a high school senior at Captain Shreve. And where else smoke a cigar while you work?
Tell us about the recipe file.
When my dad started the store, he would write down customer’s favorite tobacco recipes so that he could remember what each one liked and make re-orders easy. We have two card files now, filled with thousands of recipes filed by customer name. Some of the recipes date back to the store’s opening in 1976!
We have customers come in today and order tobacco recipes that their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers used to smoke.
That’s one really special thing about M.A.’s Smokehouse – because of our history and longevity in the business, we’re able to offer a service that connects current customers with relatives who have passed away. Customers appreciate that connection.
How is a tobacco recipe developed?
When you’re learning about pipe tobacco, there’s a lot of trial and error. You smell it, smoke it, experience the differences and learn what goes together and what you like.
It’s the taste, the fragrance, the bite on the tongue, even the moisture or lack thereof in the tobacco. For example, the drier the tobacco, the more heat on the tongue, due to the fact that the tobacco burns faster.
You learn that certain types of tobacco will smoke better in certain sizes of pipes. You have to learn these kinds of things in order to know what to recommend and keep customer happy.
What is the future of the cigar industry?
I think the cigar industry is going to grow, especially now that we’re going to see more Cuban cigars in the US. That will bring about a resurgence of interest in cigars. Plus, we’re seeing more young guys interested in pipes and tobacco.