Briars & Blends Cigar Shop

Has this place closed? I dropped by the address listed and couldn’t find it.

I started going to Briars & Blends maybe 10 years ago, when it was in another location. The place was always filled on the weekends with great people enjoying good conversation and a good cigar. The selection was fantastic and the service was great. Honestly, this store made me appreciate and want to learn about quality cigars.
Several years ago I pretty much quit smoking cigars. It just didn’t fit in my lifestyle /​work schedule in a way where I could properly enjoy it. Thankfully that’s changed a little bit! So earlier today I dropped back in on my old tobacco shop for the owner’s latest recommendations. In years past they’ve always done a great job of helping me find the right smoke for my budget — high or low. They’ve NEVER steered me wrong. Never.
I too was surprised at the store’s inventory when I walked in today. But I took the time to ask why. Like a cigar, you can’t judge it only by the surface. Life and cigars are far too deep and complex for that. Recent years have thrown them a few curve balls. Who hasn’t had their world changed in one way or another over the last few years… especially in this city? There have been family illnesses. The son has joined the police academy to serve and protect us. (Thank-​you, sir.) All kinds of things came together in a short time frame to create a perfect storm that caused the business to slip… temporarily. 2010 was rough for them. They’re back now and re-​building their inventory. I would ask their customers to remember the great service and selection they provided over the years. This is still your local cigar shop and a great one.
I currently split my time between Florida and St. Louis because of work and family. So I could very easily go to some of the «bigger» cigar shops in Tampa or Miami. But I for one will support the local small businessman who has been there to help me, teach me, and financially treat me fair since the first time I decided to buy a real cigar. Don’t focus on how many cigars are on the shelves at Briars & Blends when you walk through the door right now. You’re not going to buy them all at once anyway. And a lot of the «typical» brands are becoming a little overrated anyway. I want a great smoke, not a great label. (But they do have the labels too.) Remember that the reason those cigars are on the shelves is because the proprietor of Briars & Blends is one of the best there is at picking the best cigars for the money.
I walked out of there today with exactly what I expected to get, and what I have always got from Briars & Blends. An interesting story. A little pride in supporting a great St. Louis business. And of course a bundle of great cigars at a great price. What more could anyone realistically need from a fine tobacco shop? (The first two points are what really should matter. The cigars are the bonus.)

Although this shop has been around for many years, it’s not what it once was. When I first walked in, I thought the shop was closed. There was very little product on the shelves and the only other person in the store was on the phone. They told me to hold on and I began to look around. After about a minute, I had looked through all the stock and saw that nothing peaked my interested so I headed for the door. I waved a good bye to the man still on the phone and headed to another cigar shop…

I hate giving Mom & Pop places bad reviews, but Briars & Blends was pretty disappointing. Walking it, you see some couches with a table. As you turn the corner, you finally see the counter and display cases.
Well, almost all the display cases are empty. My first thought was «crap, this place is out of business.» After exchanging hellos with the gentlemen working there, I asked if I could go into the humidor (I know some places like you to ask first, some even accompany you). He told me to go right ahead.
The beautiful wife and I walked in and found… not much. The selection here was beyond disappointing. Beyond the fact it lacked a lot of «expected» brands, there were lots of empty boxes sitting on the shelves. They are heavy on Olivias, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Just sad not to see more diversity.
I found something that sounded decent (Olivia Series O, 6×50 Toro) and when I took it up to the register, the fellow asked «how much is this?» Fortunately, the other guy working said the price.
Serious bummer. And I’m kicking myself for not going elsewhere.

Darryl (I hope that’s spelled correctly) is a pleasure to do business with!
very knowledgeable and will help you find that perfect cigar if your unsure what to try. He will even sit and smoke one with you.
A good Cigar shop is like a good old fashioned barber shop, hard to find and when you find a quality one you will spend time there even when you don’t need a haircut/​cigar.

Nice little neighborhood cigar shop and tobacconist. Decent selection, nicely priced, and cigars are stored properly in a great walk-​in humidor. I’ve never gotten a stale cigar.
I often stop by to pick up a cigar or two for the weekend. Probably not a place to stay and smoke, there are only two leather couches to sit on, but there are two restaurants right next door with patio seating. You can easily grab a cigar and go get a beer.
Bring cash for purchases under $ 15.