Smoking New Place Coming to Trade Street

Looking for a place to relax, smoke a cigar, sip a craft beer or drink a glass of wine?

In just a few weeks, Cameroon Cigars will open at 207 Trade Street in Greer.

Mark Grant and his wife, Anne Marie, of Taylors, along with a business partner Dixon Howard, are working to create a relaxing atmosphere for cigar enthusiasts in the heart of downtown.

"I enjoy sitting down with customers and talking," said Grant, who has worked with two other smoke shops in the Upstate. "No matter who they are, you have common interests just in the selection of a cigar."

Grant said he had hoped to have the shop open in time for Greer Family Fest, but that his duties as a National Guard reservist had pulled him away from the project.

For now, he's back to work and remodeling the smoke shop's new home. He's hopeful that by festival time, shoppers will be able to have a glimpse of what Cameroon has to offer.

Cameroon, a name selected by his wife, is the wrapper that provides a cigar with 85 percent of its flavor, Grant said.

"I immediately loved it," Grant said. "It was simple. It was one word that I knew people who loved cigars would remember."

Grant said in an effort to keep down costs, he's stocking his humidor with familiar brands. He said he will expand the selection as the shop's fan base grows. And, he hopes to one day be able to provide an original blend made especially for the shop.

Grant said that choosing a location downtown was the easiest decision they've made in the process.

"We talked to all the businesses owners downtown and we really wanted to be a part of this community," Grant said. "Downtown Greer should be a destination."

In addition to cigars, Grant said the shop also will carry craft beers. Presently, he's looking at quality of beer rather than quantity of beer, but plans to offer a pilsner, IPA and a Quad. He said the business will start with craft beers around the $4 to $5 mark increasing in price up to $10. He plans to add more selections as the business grows.

For now, Grant is working to get the shop open as quickly as possible. He's also working with the city to make sure that the business is meeting and exceeding the codes outlined by the city.

"Ventilation is a huge part of this project," Grant said. "We are working diligently to make sure that the ventilation system is constantly cleaning and filtering the air, even in the exhaust process. We don't want to be that stinky cigar shop downtown, we want people to want us here."