La Casa Del Habano Montreal - A Personal Revisit 1 Year after it's closing.

Leaving Home. My memoirs of La Casa Del Habano.

It’s been a year, and I miss it terribly.

It’s always nice to find a special place in your city that, as the kids say, “Is your jam”. A place where you can feel comfortable, friends old and new at arms length, and surrounded by amenities that seems like they were tailored to you. I found such a place and was honored to be a part of its team; La Casa Del Habano Montreal.

Tucked away just a tad above eye level on Sherbrooke street wests Golden Mile in Montreal, la Casa opened its door in 1997 and became the place to be if you were a cigar lover. With 2 walk-in humidors and a lounge that sat 20 patrons, it became a sanctuary to the crazy world that was just left outside. A time of respite, a time to slow down, a time to indulge oneself with a cigar and beverage.

In late Spring of 2015, I was in a bit of a personal rut professionally. Many changes were being implemented at my workplace and tasks that I enjoyed and took pride in were being taken away from me, relegating me to boring, static tasks. I soul searched a bit and wondered how was I to turn my funk around. It came to me one day; apply for part time work at La Casa Del Habano.

General manager Antonio Marsillo was at that time a casual friend of mine, but he knew of my passion for cigars so I decided to email him one day and ask if there were any opportunities for part time employment. A few days passed and I wasn’t really expecting much of an opportunity to be brought on as an employee. After all, who would not want to work at La Casa Del Habano?  As luck would have it, Antonio did need some help. I went to see him one day for a quick interview and the one question he asked me that took me aback was, “Are you going to find it weird with me being your boss?” To which I replied, “Are YOU going to find it weird with me being your employee?” The dye was cast. My journey had begun.

July 31, 2015 was my first day as an employee of La Casa and Antonio was there to greet me. He took me for a quick tour and then left in in the hands of assistant manager Geoffrey Blunt. I remember being intimidated by Geoff as he came across as a very straight laced, dry sense of humor type of guy, something a guy from an Italian background who grew up in the east end of Montreal knew nothing about.

So I was put through the paces of learning about my workplace. Cigar scavenger hunts and quizzes on their sizing. Cigar accessories; where to find them and their empty boxes (I hated finding those damn boxes). Shaving cream and accessories and what they were all about (I hadn’t the faintest idea at the time, being a Mach 3 and foam in a can type of guy). Learning about cocktails and all the different spirits that were offered at the bar was a daunting task too. But in time I learned (through a few victories and many defeats) and I found my place at Casa.

As time passed, I began to understand the mystique of La Casa Del Habano. It wasn’t just a place to buy cigars and perhaps get a drink. It was a glimpse of a bygone era, when the act of smoking a cigar and having a drink was not merely just an act, it was an event. And in no circumstances must a cigar or it’s accompanying libation be rushed in any way. The lounge was an Oasis tucked away in the hustle and bustle of the city. Many clients who had never been to Casa were always pleasantly surprised to find the hidden gem, and stayed for a smoke and drink although more often than not, had no intention of doing so.

As the years passed I was privileged to work many private events that were held at Casa. A personal highlight for me was the 2017 F1 party where myself, Antonio, and co-worker Hector Mayorga were dressed to the nines in tuxedos. Other notable events were the Christmas parities for our regular patrons. The Havana club event in which I was introduced to the very attractive Havana Club Representative and the Cuban Old Fashioned, and many more…

There were the regulars too.

Working Saturdays made you part of the weekend ritual for most of our regulars. 2 friends who would almost regularly show up after lunch and smoke a few Vegas Robaina Unicos, Montecristo #2’s or Petit #2’s. The older gentleman who would make his way into Casa late morning, have a cigar, engage me in conversation, leave for a quick lunch and then come back to spend the rest of the afternoon in the company of the Saturday crowd. The gent who would only smoke loose rolled cigars. Or the young man who reveled in the quiet of a Saturday morning, a coffee, and a petit robusto.

The semi regulars were also memorable, notably a New York state pathologist who would come to Montreal every few weeks. His wife would go to her morning salon appointment and he would come to Casa for a large cigar (Partagas Lusitania and Ramon Allones Gigantes his favorites) and a glass of grappa. A true gentleman and a treat to converse with. Or the eccentric artist who loved his big cigars, peated whiskey, and the company of a lovely woman.

I was fortunate that my time at Casa Del Habano had more positive memories than negative. Some of my greatest pleasures at Casa was to help new employees find their way with Casa (a task that Antonio entrusted me with). Turning clients on to different cigars that they never or would have never have thought to try was another thrill for me, selfishly of course as it made me look like a cigar God!

I’m not trying to over romanticize things, but the cigar is the great equalizer, and cigar smokers know that. Whether you were a pauper or Prince, the CEO of a national corporation, or a maintenance man. The cigar brought everyone together onto equal ground. I relished in the Saturday’s spent working at Casa, watching our clients from every walk of life share a couple of hours with each other. Strangers but for the smoldering Habanos that they held between their fingers.

My tenure at Casa didn’t end in a blaze of glory as we all wanted it to, but in a whimper and neary a puff of smoke. The store was slated to close on May 31, 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic shut the store down little did I know that March 14^th, 2020 would be my last shift at Casa. I was denied my last goodbye with clients and coworkers.  I did get the chance to walk the store one more time the day I went in to collect my personal belongings and I snapped a few pictures. But no fanfare, no goodbye’s, no hugs or slaps on the back, no tearful farewells. Just an empty store, and the ghost of memories. What I wouldn’t do to have one more Saturday behind the bar or walking the humidor.

I thank all of the clients that I had an opportunity to serve. I can say honestly and sincerely that it was an honor and a pleasure to do so.

To past coworkers; thank you for sharing time with me. Our time together has been saved in my memories forever.

To my last co-workers; Hector, Danilo, Lucas, and Vincenzo, it was a pretty good ride, right? Stay well gents. Thank you for your friendship.

To assistant manager Geoffrey Blunt; Tuesday night conversations will never be the same again. Little that I know that your stiff upper lip façade hid a loosed tongue and rapier wit. Your guidance and friendship meant a lot to me. The Statler and Waldorf of the cigar world!

To general manager Antonio Marsillo; a big thank you for giving me the opportunity to live out a job in which I had a passion for its product. Thank you for entrusting me with tasks that you wouldn’t let anyone else do. Thank you for your guidance and patience. Thank you for being a great boss, and a great friend.

I hope that we can all meet again one day. It will be a pleasure to shake your hand and hopefully share a cigar with you.

Stay well.