Maraya

Whadya know, out of business. Who woulda thunk it!

The proprietor (Joy) was very knowledgeable, but overly hostile from the beginning of our encounter through the end. I took a Cigar 101 class and was told not to ask questions, then was made to feel either A) stupid, or B) like a burden for asking them during the time she permit me to speak.
I lost count the number of times she shut me down in our «class,» and frankly made me feel bad about myself being there. Cherry on the top – she asked me for gratuity at the end of our meeting (this, after trying to upsell me on 2 overpriced cigars).
I enjoyed her cigars and I learned a lot. I bought 1 cigar out of respect to her, but after reading Daniel’s review I see I’m not the only one who felt disrespected in going here. A person’s lack of knowledge is no excuse to treat someone with such candor – especially if they’re a paying customer, and even more so at a «Cigars 101» class. Here’s some of the greatest hits:
To my, «cigars have become a recent obsession of mine,»
«I take offense to that word.»
«Are you an engineer or something? You’re looking for data and there’s no answer.»
«I can’t answer health questions.»
«How often do you season your humidor is like asking ‘how often do you eat food,’ it’s very simple and there’s no answer.»
«I’ve never seen someone hold a cigar like that. People don’t do that.»
«Touching the band is the sign of a real rookie.»
Joy – I’m here for a Cigars 101 class, of course I’m a rookie. And you lack both class and respect for your customers. Who’s the bad guy here?

This place is a one off cigar shop. This could be a good thing but it’s ridiculous that they are charging $ 13 – 18 for a no name cigar, I don’t care what neighborhood you’re in.
I was asking the owner/​manager about the different cigars and she recited her script to me. If I deviated her from the script she couldn’t give me answer on what to expect from the flavor profiles, burns, where the leaves come from, etc… I was frustrated at her self-​proclamation as an expert only to hear he flounder and eventually attack me for asking anything besides the very script (word for word) she had repeated to me three times. In the end, I gave in and opted to make a decision on what to try.
After purchasing my cigar, the owner/​manager went to cut the cigar and was going to cut too far down, so I interrupted and asked her not to. She listened, cut according to my specifications (correctly) and then proceeded to light the cigar.
When it came time to light the cigar, she went to use the torch lighter she had and I said, I’d prefer the matches – at this, her response was snark, «This is how you are supposed to light a cigar.» I know how to use a match and a torch; her light-​job resulted in a really significant uneven burn, ftw.
Look, my rant is about over. Was the cigar good? Yes, I would never go back and pay the eye-​gouging prices they sell them for but it was not a bad smoke – it just wasn’t great.
The owner or manager, whoever she is, doesn’t know what she’s talking about, is overpriced, and delivers a pretty decent smoke. I owned my own cigar company (a brand, not a shop) for years and found this place to be amateur – but she’s meeting a need because people go here – I can give credit where credit is due.
BOTTOM LINE: I just don’t recommend Maraya. Go to Circ Tobac, Nat Sherman’s, or Cigar Inn, instead. Save some money and enjoy your smoke in a larger, friendlier space.

Fantastic cigars … Pleasantly surprised at the quality. Highly recommend — well worth stopping by and trying them out. Will be back for more as soon as possible!

Maraya isn’t your typical cigar shop. Its tiny and they sell only their own house blends.
The «lounge» area is right in front by the window and can seat about 3 – 4 people comfortably. Seats aren’t very comfortable, but its a tiny shop.
The cigars are good and the owner is super accommodating and nice.
A group of 4 of us were in LES and needed to kill some time before we met up with some others. It was late (10pm) and no other cigar shop was close by or open so we stopped by. It was also cold outside.
We were surprised that this small little shop made their own blend of cigars!
I was a little disappointed at not being able to enjoy a familiar smoke (Padron, Liga Privada, Oliva’s…) but I still enjoyed the Maduro blend that she had.
If you’re alone or with 1 or 2 others, Maraya would be a good place to relax for a bit, but I wouldn’t recommend any larger parties.
It also doesn’t have flat screen tv’s and plush couches like other cigar shops, but the owner was so friendly and stayed late for our group I was glad we found this little place.

Great cozy place, Joy is a lovely lady with a wonderful personality. I enjoyed my cigar!

I very much like Maraya. A friend invited me to this small shop in the Lower East Side for a nice night of cigar smoking shared amongst good friends. The shop offers two Maraya brand cigars and one Don Lucas brand cigar. I had the Don Lucas. Very smooth. I’m not a heavy smoker and I more then enjoyed smoking this cigar. It didn’t feel heavy nor did it leave a heavy aftertaste. It was simply a relaxing and enjoyable smoke while great conversation was shared.
Joy the proprietor is a knowledgeable and hospitable host. She shares her knowledge of cigars, cigar making, and her vision for her cigar brand liberally with guests. Joy is also very knowledgeable and can speak on a multitude of other topics from health and well being, to travel, to bitcoins. A diverse well of conversation makes for a good host and a good entrepreneur.
I would only add that the shop is located on a quieter block of the LES, which for some is a plus not having to deal with hordes of sloppy twenty year olds on the block. You have to really look for this place. I walked right by the well lit but nondescript storefront the first time down the block, and I was looking specifically for a cigar shop. That is part of Joy’s design aesthetic, a cigar shop that doesn’t scream out «I’m a smoke shop.» When you do find the location, be ready to enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable smoke like no other.

I would stay away from this establishment at all cost. Part of the pleasure of selecting and appreciating a cigar is the courtesy and professionalism that comes along with the process. This place literally dares you to enjoy the process as you are forced to deal with one of the rudest proprietors I have ever met. She is snippy, aggressive, obnoxious and flat out rude. And i say this as someone who has frequented this establishment over a dozen times. The excuses of being bi polar and/​or in a bad mood really don’t cut it anymore. I can’t recall the last time I left this hell hole in a decent mood. You get the life sucked out of you just engaging in a few sentences with this crypt keeper. Honestly, stay away and enjoy your day.

Cute, clean, intimate, cigar shop. Joy, the owner, was such a pleasure to meet. She was knowledgeable, offered classes, and shared her local secrets for other spots in the area to visit. A big help to a non-​local. Cigars were excellent. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! As good if not better than any name brand cigar I’ve had in a while. Smooth delicious & buttery! And in a beautiful space too.

I have been to more than my fair share of cigar shops and Maraya is hands down one of the best in the country. I enjoyed a maduro wrapped petite perfecto and had an awesome time talking about all things from cigars to nutrition with Joy (the owner). This cigar was one of the best contructions I have ever seen with a firm salt and pepper ash and a smooth and easy draw.
The thing I liked the best about the shop was the experience. There was a group of first-​time cigar smokers (all female) enjoying their time as much as I was. Whether you are a seasoned pro or first-​timer, all are welcome in this unique and hip spot for a smoke.

I’m a big fan. Have been coming here for 3 years now. It’s pretty small, intimate, and a great spot to bring a friend for a leisurely afternoon spent in smart conversation.
I’m personally a huge fan of the double torpedo of lighter variety. It smokes perfect from start to finish, and you really get a chance to taste the subtle notes that a cigar can provide.
This place is an undiscovered gem unlike any other cigar shop in NYC.

A horrible experience. Wanted to pick up some cigars for a friend and this place happened to be in the nabe I grew up in. It occupies the last location that Gus’s Pickle’s was located while it was still in Manhattan.
Ever meet someone whom you instantly dislike? Well the woman, Joy, who runs this place put my spidey-​senses into overdrive. I was pressed for time, otherwise I would just have gone elsewhere. Picked up a few cigars, she only carries 2 blends but a myriad of sizes. I hope they taste good, but I have my doubts. Will update when I hear back on the quality.
This woman could be the poster-​child for everything that[’s wrong with the new Lower East Side. An aging hippie turned hipster, peddling ‘cool’ products that she barely knows. Unhelpful. Anything she imparts, one could get from a few back issues of Cigar Aficionado and a Google search. Just Blech… Stay Away.

A great experience even for a cigar newbie (like me!). My husband turned 30 and we wanted to have a party with an experience theme… a cigar class with Joy turned out to be a wonderful learning opportunity!
Joy could not have been nicer when setting up the event. The store can hold max 10 people (we had 9 and it was a bit tight) and she made it very clear what the class would include. When the day arrived, Joy walked us through cigar 101 and it was a very informative and complete lesson. We then each received a cigar to smoke and it was really interesting that she explained elements of cigar appreciation as we were smoking it. Of course, we also got to chat and enjoy the experience with friends in a private space — which was especially enjoyable.

There seems to be a few places in NYC for house-​brand cigars, but this place is by far the best.
The quality has been consistent so I’m very comfortable giving these as gifts to friends and clients… and they always box them up so there’s no need to wrap. The shop itself is comfy to be in — a modern mix of exposed brick, glass walls and rich tobacco aroma — and the people who work there are helpful and friendly. I like the Piano blend best I think, it’s smooth and enjoyable.
It’s also right next to some great restaurants, so it’s convenient for hitting up after dinner or before drinks.

Maraya is one of those hidden gems of NYC that when you find you just love. It’s not your average cigar bar. It’s very intimate and the owner is your host. She knows her stuff!
One of the great things is that you can bring your own bottle of wine that you love and be able to talk and hang out with 10 of your friends with no one else there to bother you. Great for small gatherings and boys/​girls night out!
Check it out for yourself! It is truly an experience.

**CIGAR BLISS IN NYC**
LOVE this place.
Absolute LOVE.
And I love cigars. Love, LOVE, love.
Maraya is a cigar company with a factory in the Dominican Republic, crafting Maraya cigars in small batches.
Every Maraya cigar is handmade and they do not mass-​produce cigars for other brands.
I bought 2 cigars (Tango and Piano) and reserved a few spots for their offered cigar 101 class on a Tuesday night ($ 30).
Our instructor, Edwin, was a bad-​ass cigar aficionado.
Taught us how to hold, cut, light, puff, and ash.
Learned a few things about the history and the making of cigars as well.
Amazing experience and was the highlight of my NYC trip.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND their cigars and classes.

I was looking for a replacement humidifier for my humidor, but I don’t know much about the science of properly storing and caring for cigars. Not only did I get the product I needed, Kevin and Joy were happy to help educate me in the different ways to humidify a humidor. I did not purchase any cigars or chocolate, but will probably do so next time I visit. My rating therefore is not based on the quality of the tobacco/​chocolate products as I have no basis, but on the quality of the service. This is not just a store that sells products, but a store that has real expertise to offer in a lighthearted, positive way. There was also a group of people who were sitting and enjoying cigars and some drinks, and it looked like a great atmosphere and space for a group to sit and relax.
Thanks for the help Kevin and Joy, best of luck!

Before hopping on the Williamsburg … Made a quick detour towards Maraya … very cozy store … small on space … big on service.
An «Admired» Cigar …
Joy the Proprietor of Maraya was very friendly and well … a joy to deal with
She recommended their Perfecto, So I purchased one of each blend that they do in house … I see someone complained about pricing … NYC has the highest Tobacco Tax @ 75%. Considering this … their prices are moderate for cigars.
Maraya also had some unique chocolate in a few flavors/​blends (organic south american) picked up a couple of those as well
The chocolate was well received …
So far I have smoked one of their lighter blends called «Piano» … Light /​Medium Body … subtle notes of nuts with hints of milk chocolate … great on the nose … with touches of wood accompanied with a sprinkle of spice … Simple and effective smoke.
construction was good … the draw /​burn /​ash was excellent …
The placement of the cigar band was odd on the perfecto as it’s centered on the cigar … it’s a pretty band nonetheless …
The Piano series would make a great choice for someone who does not smoke cigars on a regular basis.
A pleasure it was to see a Cigar brand based out of NYC with an actual storefront … I wish Maraya the best of luck with their venture.

I stumbled across this place last weekend while waiting for a friend to get off work and I was pleaseantly surprised that there are still artisinal tobacconists left in America! Kevin and Joy were very welcoming when I stuck my head in and asked what their story was. I ended up enjoying one of their lighter blends and a cup of coffee and chatted with them for a couple of hours. What other shop owner would spend that kind of time? They are truly an asset to the LES community.
As other Unilocalers have noted, they only offer two blends in 4 shapes each, so if you’re looking for your typical off the shelf Monte’s and Upmann’s, Barclay Rex or Nat Sherman would be a better fit. That being said, if you are interested in a proprietary blend of tobacco’s rolled by artisans trained in some of the best houses in the world, give this place a try. Prices range anywhere from $ 8 – 13 a stick depending on blend and shape. You will not be disappointed.