Tabaccheria Sisimbro Circa 1959

This week, I take you to southern Italy into the city of Naples. A city well known for its established influence on men’s fashion and pizza, of course!! Those were the two main things that brought me into Naples to be quite honest. So while planning my trip to the city, I figured I might as well look into if there was any interesting cigars shops.

Here I am in Naples, walking around to find this tobacconist I found searching on internet (good thing the walk wasn’t that long from where I had positioned my Airbnb). I finally make it to the shop and immediately like what I see from the outside, a nice well kept store front which promises just from its looks. As soon as I walked in I bumped into the actual owner, Anita Sisimbro.

Here is what came out of that meeting:

Tabaccheria Sisimbro is a family operated business and this since 1959. Anita’s dad, Franco, is the one who opened up shop. His intentions were clear, not to operate a common tabaccheria. The store has always offered a wide variety of tobacco products and luxury smoking accessories. Quickly the store becomes the staple for serious smokers in Naples.

Being a family business, Anita is brought up in the tobacconist world and starts earning her stripes in the store at 16 years of age. And guess what, there she is 38 years later operating and running the show of Tabaccheria Sisimbro! Driven by a passion for cigars and for doing things right, the family store is a gem for smokers. You will find anything from premium pipes, S.T. Dupont accessories to Elie Bleu humidors.

Feeling the need to expand their offerings for cigars, the shop goes threw some expansions and renovations. In 2001, the decision is taken to create the first walk-in humidor in Italy at the same time they are established as a Habanos Specialist. They won’t stop there because in 2017 they inaugurate the first Habanos Lounge in Italy. Clearly, Anita wants things to go forward and only offer the best. And guess what, Tabaccheria Sisimbro is now waiting for its official La Casa del Habano franchise!! Things are looking bright for the future of the Sisimbro shop and I hope the evolution continues threw time.

Top 3 Cigars on a desert island?

For a quick smoke, she chose the San Cristobal de la Habana Principe. Followed by a H. Upmman Sir Winston and to finish off a Cohiba Siglo VI.

Her most memorable moment involving cigars?

Enjoying a nice smoke while viewing a sunset is always one of her favorites. Or while on vacation, Anita loves the breakfast cigar.

Finishing Words

I have to say this visit was really not what I expected. And I mean this in the good way of course! As soon as I entered the store I felt like family. I was shown around the store and the humidor by Anita herself. She is very passionate and has a sense of hospitality that you rarely come upon. Truly a humbling experience! I was even invited to stay and have a smoke in the Habanos Lounge. In the mean time, Anita made a quick call to one of her friends, Guido, who joined us to help on the translation and obviously enjoy a premium Cuban stick. We kicked off what was a great conversation with a Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme and a glass of prosecco…time stopped for a few moments while we enjoyed the cigars and made new friends.

Don’t be shy, if you are in the area you have to make a pit stop at Tabaccheria Sisimbro but be sure to have some spare time because you might end up staying there longer than anticipated!