Notes Sips & Stogies Of Farmingdale Replaces Jim's Stogies

FARMINGDALE, NY — Despite Jim's Stogies closing, people do not have to look far for a cigar and drink lounge. In fact, they can still find it in the same building.

Notes Sips & Stogies took over the 220 Main St., Farmingdale storefront, opening in late February.

Co-owners Chad Klusko and Jon Ginsberg have the shop up and running as it was under its prior incarnation, but the duo is gearing up for potential renovations, as they have an eye on turning the lounge into something reminiscent of a bygone era.

"Ultimately, the lounge is going to take on a more 1920s, 1930s jazz club aesthetic," Klusko told Patch.

The new owners said they would like to bring in live music on occasion to give it a cocktail lounge feel.

"That's pretty much the vibe: old New York metropolitan cocktail lounge where a person is able to enjoy a cigar paired with a drink," Klusko said. "Something a bit more refined that really isn't on Long Island at all. The only place in Manhattan would be slightly like the Carnegie Club? So it's really bringing that to Long Island and even more so to Farmingdale."

Klusko said he hopes to have the bar renovations done before the Ryder Cup golf tournament comes to town from Sept. 25 through Sept. 28.

While a bar existed in the shop prior to Klusko and Ginsberg assuming ownership, the two are aiming to "glam it up a bit," into a Prohibition-styled lounge, Klusko said.

"What makes this place unique is it is the only grandfathered lounge that is allowed to have a full-service bar while having a full-service retail of tobacco," Klusko said. "Having the lounge really ties in that old aspect, that old aesthetic. This bar was here prior. It's going to remain staying in the same footprint that it is. That has to stay the same as per [the New York State Liquor Authority]."

Notes Sips and Stogies derives its name from multiple areas.

"It comes from it being a more jazz club aesthetic. Jazz playing notes and musical notes," Klusko explained. "Likewise, the sips and stogies. There are tasting notes whether you are sipping a cocktail or having a spirit, or likewise, smoking a cigar."

While Klusko and Ginsberg are trying to make the storefront their own, Klusko said they are making an effort to tie themselves to the existing customer base.

"Me being on hand every day, learning everyone's palettes, having an understanding of what they like, what they don't like," Klusko said. "And also tying in more with the village itself."

Klusko said Notes Sips and Stogies is "excited to be part of the community" after he and Ginsberg discussed the possibility of Farmingdale "endlessly."

"We had a little bit of insight when it came to Farmingdale," Klusko said. "We're local guys. We both come from Huntington, and we have another cigar lounge in Huntington. We're excited to be part of what we're seeing progressively has been happening in Farmingdale. That resurgence. Overall, the nightlife. The community heavily coming together. It's a good feeling."

Klusko said he has attended multiple Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce meetings and has been impressed with the structure of how merchants work with one another.

"It's a beautiful thing seeing how proactive everyone is. It's awesome. It's rarefied."