Last Look? Toronto LCDH

[Hammer Smokin']

What an amazing afternoon.

Arrived half hour before my scheduled lunch. I was warmly greeted by a gentleman who I believe was Francisco and was shown around.

Chatting about various topics while I drooled over their amazing selection. Just about every cigar I could think of was there, aside from Behike.

A little later Julian came in and introduced himself. I picked up a few cigars

- 2000 VR Classicos (X2)

- 2006 San Cristobal Mercaderes

- 2016 H Upmann Mag 50

- 2018 Trinidad La Trova

Outside of the Mag 50, white whales for me.

My customer showed up and picked up a Monte #2, PL Picadores, and a 2016 Mag 50. Then picked up two of the 2018 H Upmann Propios for us to enjoy. Julian and Fransisco joined us on the sidewalk and gave us some complimentary americano coffees. We had a wonderful chat and enjoyed the Propios. By far two of the most knowledgeable folks I've met. And amazing guys taboot. 

We started discussions custom rolls, farm rolls, etc. Alex roles game up, then Jorge customs. I mentioned I loved the Alex customs I had in the past, but had only heard of the Jorge customs.

As we finished our Proprios's Julian brought us back down to the humidor and gifted my customer and I two Jorge Custom's...I believe Lanceros or maybe Lonsdales.

Either way, an amazingly kind gift for two first time customers. We of course shared our disappointment with plain packaging, said our good byes, and were on our way.

Wish the rest of the afternoon was enjoyable as the time spent at the Toronto LCDH.

Thanks the rec and I'll definitely be back again soon.

[Hammer Smokin']

oh, and they talked fondly about the time 'Prez came by the shop.

(they had asked how I heard about them, and asked if it was FOH).

They also spoke highly of you Bundwallah.

[Puros Y Vino]

@Hammer Smokin' Sounds like you had a great day!  And that's what this "forced" closure is going to ruin.  Potentially great days for people who just want to enjoy a cigar in the company of other cigar lovers.  Francisco and Julian are great guys.  I'm surprised Julian was there though. He quit a few weeks ago and opened up a coffee shop.  He called it "Chaveta"   For you locals, I highly recommend dropping by.  He's on Bathurst a few blocks south of Dupont.  I'm surprised they know my FOH handle.   It will be a real shame when the doors close.  The staff are great, the location is too.  The regulars defiantly smoke on the sidewalk and they all come from different walks of life.  I'm sure most will find another spot to hang out.  Their fallback is usually the Rock Park just one street south of the LCDH.   

[NYMets01]

The LCDH will certainly be missed. I visited there a number of times when I traveled there for work.

I also found Thomas Hinds to be a nice spot with a great selection.

Regardless, this whole situation is pretty sad.

[Hammer Smokin']

10 hours ago, bundwallah said:

@Hammer Smokin' Sounds like you had a great day!  And that's what this "forced" closure is going to ruin.  Potentially great days for people who just want to enjoy a cigar in the company of other cigar lovers.  Francisco and Julian are great guys.  I'm surprised Julian was there though. He quit a few weeks ago and opened up a coffee shop.  He called it "Chaveta"   For you locals, I highly recommend dropping by.  He's on Bathurst a few blocks south of Dupont.  I'm surprised they know my FOH handle.   It will be a real shame when the doors close.  The staff are great, the location is too.  The regulars defiantly smoke on the sidewalk and they all come from different walks of life.  I'm sure most will find another spot to hang out.  Their fallback is usually the Rock Park just one street south of the LCDH.   

Maybe it wasn't Julian, but I believe that is what I recall. Tall thin gentleman, who discussed his training in Cuba to be a ... well, I forget the title, but a sommelier of cigars basically.

We did have a great time.

A shame what is going in this country.

[Puros Y Vino]

Well.  As of Dec 31, 2019. The Toronto LCDH has closed it's doors forever.  About 6 people were put of of work as a result.   The anti-tobacco climate in Canada is just getting worse.  Despite the high taxes, this store did pretty good business. It had its' daily regulars who'd come by for a break to smoke a JLP and those who would come in to buy full boxes.  I've heard the Windsor LCDH might follow suit too.  The Montreal LCDH has legal, indoor smoking in it's lounge. Hopefully, it will continue to operate.  

[Buck14]

1 hour ago, bundwallah said:

Well.  As of Dec 31, 2019. The Toronto LCDH has closed it's doors forever.  About 6 people were put of of work as a result.   The anti-tobacco climate in Canada is just getting worse.  Despite the high taxes, this store did pretty good business. It had its' daily regulars who'd come by for a break to smoke a JLP and those who would come in to buy full boxes.  I've heard the Windsor LCDH might follow suit too.  The Montreal LCDH has legal, indoor smoking in it's lounge. Hopefully, it will continue to operate.  

Was very glad I made a couple visits over the past year before it closed!

[cigcars]

   *GASP* NOOOOOOOOO   Aw, Man what a RIPPP. And what a loss. The ONLY thing keeping me out of there was MONEY - and that was getting rectified shortly after 4 more paychecks!    WAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!  

[havanaclub]

Well.  As of Dec 31, 2019. The Toronto LCDH has closed it's doors forever.  About 6 people were put of of work as a result.   The anti-tobacco climate in Canada is just getting worse.  Despite the high taxes, this store did pretty good business. It had its' daily regulars who'd come by for a break to smoke a JLP and those who would come in to buy full boxes.  I've heard the Windsor LCDH might follow suit too.  The Montreal LCDH has legal, indoor smoking in it's lounge. Hopefully, it will continue to operate.  

So sad


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[JohnS]

7 hours ago, bundwallah said:

Well.  As of Dec 31, 2019. The Toronto LCDH has closed it's doors forever.  About 6 people were put of of work as a result.   The anti-tobacco climate in Canada is just getting worse.  Despite the high taxes, this store did pretty good business. It had its' daily regulars who'd come by for a break to smoke a JLP and those who would come in to buy full boxes.  I've heard the Windsor LCDH might follow suit too.  The Montreal LCDH has legal, indoor smoking in it's lounge. Hopefully, it will continue to operate.  

I agree, this is sad news. In regards to the Montreal LCDH, is this because of its location in Quebec and French-Canadian history/culture @bundwallah? I'm curious why it's still around and even has indoor lounge smoking whilst the Toronto LCDH is now closed?

[Connoisseur Kim]

Surprised and felt furious to hear LCDH closed permanently due to anti smoking ban laws. Kudos to all Canadian BOTLs.

 

By the way, is this happens in other countries too? If yes, I would be enraged for sure.

 

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[El Presidente]

Sad days indeed. 

Great store. From all accounts great people, cigar people. 

Kicked to the sidewalk largely due to impending plain packaging.  Democracy....where the majority persecute the minority. 

[PhilB]

And now plain packaging is on the way.

Smoking lounges in BC have already been killed a very long time ago.

[Hammer Smokin']

indoor smoking regulations are provincial I believe.

Quebec still allows for some indoor smoking.

It was the plain packaging that did them in.

 

[Puros Y Vino]

I better clarify something. The Toronto LCDH was not closed due to gov't decree.  The bosses decided it wasn't worth keeping it open given the impending plain packaging laws.  Plus, their location was going to be demolished for a new building. If they stuck around they'd have to move for a 4th in 2 years. That's not cheap. I actually paid the guys a visit tonight. They're closed but packing things up. Accessories, cigars, etc.  The plain packaging we're getting in Canada involves the green bands being applied in Cuba. Not in Canada. And they will be glued on to the existing bands.  And I think this includes the boxes as well.  IIRC, the UK and Australia's green bands are applied over top of the bands by the distributor/retailer?  But not here. Somehow, Canada managed to get the Cubans to apply them directly before being shipped up here.

As for Montreal. The whole Province of Quebec has grandfathered laws for tobacconists and lounges. Their customers get to smoke indoors. Cigars only. Anything else would be a violation of their license.  From what I understand, the Quebec politicians were fond of cigars and didn't want to eradicate it completely, so they fought for the provision.  Maybe someone from Montreal/Quebec can describe it better?

[ChanceSchmerr]

29 minutes ago, PhilB said:

And now plain packaging is on the way.

Smoking lounges in BC have already been killed a very long time ago.

Well.....most of the smoking lounges in BC have been killed 

[MMarbs]

On 9/11/2019 at 11:13 AM, bundwallah said:

For cigarettes, November 2019. I think cigars have until Feb 2020 IIRC.

From my understanding, I think cigar manufacturers have until November 2020 to comply and cigar retailers/tobacconists have until February 2021 to comply. But maybe things have now changed, which would be even worse.

[JohnS]

45 minutes ago, bundwallah said:

IIRC, the UK and Australia's green bands are applied over top of the bands by the distributor/retailer?  But not here. Somehow, Canada managed to get the Cubans to apply them directly before being shipped up here.

Yes, that's correct. Cigars for Australian retailers get olive green plain bands administered in Hong Kong prior to delivery.

[Puros Y Vino]

1 minute ago, JohnS said:

Yes, that's correct. Cigars for Australian retailers get olive green plain bands administered in Hong Kong prior to delivery.

Are they wrapped around the original bands and adhere to themselves? Or are they glued on to the original bands?

[JohnS]

I think @Luca can verify better than myself, but my understanding is that they are glued over the original band.

[El Presidente]

52 minutes ago, bundwallah said:

 The plain packaging we're getting in Canada involves the green bands being applied in Cuba. Not in Canada. And they will be glued on to the existing bands.  And I think this includes the boxes as well. 

That's interesting. i would have thought given PCC involvement, it would have been done in HK/China and sent across. 

Still, that is a huge step for the Cubans 

8 years ago they said it was all a fad and likely to go away. "nothing to see here" .....apparently 

[BellevilleMXZ]

Sad....I kick my ass for not getting up there for a last visit.?

[Puros Y Vino]

The LCDH is closed but there remains some work to do.  Went to visit my friend Daniele.  They stripped down the humidor, moved all the major display furniture too.  Here are the "after" pics.  Very sad.

A look out from the humidor.

Seating area (where no cigars could ever be enjoyed)

The bar where at least drinks could be enjoyed.

Wide shot from seating area towards front desk.  (Humidor in the top left area)

 

8 foot wide LCDH sign. People wanted this, but they had to toss it out.   

[Habana Mike]

Very sad state of affairs. Used to go there for smokes when I traveled up to Canada regularly in the early 2000's

Was in Toronto the day the ban went into effect, one of the last to smoke legally inside.

[LLC]

I was there on the 31st of December as they were winding down and then closing up. I believe I made the last purchase there.


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