Retired airmen get smoky with new cigar lounge featuring Dayton’s largest walk-in humidor

Gonzo Gonzales and Bryan Emerson celebrated the grand opening of B&G's Cigar Lounge during Super Bowl weekend.

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The business, located at 319 W. Central Ave. in West Carrollton, is the former site of Zippers Sports Bar.

Emerson said B&G’s climate and humidity-controlled humidor contains 750 premium, hand-rolled cigars up for sale.

The self-contained, 384-square-foot room is lined in Spanish cedar and is the largest walk-in humidor in Dayton, Emerson says.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PLANNED 

If all goes as planned, the lounge will get even bigger.

“There are three (local businesses) that have cigar lounges, but we are quickly becoming the largest,” said Emerson, who worked three years at The Stogie Smoke Stop in Huber Heights.

B&G has a 1,200-square-foot lounge complete with big-screen TVs and lounge-style leather seating. 

The business’ three-year plan is to have 8,000 square feet of lounge area plus exterior and patio space.

B&G plans to eventually offer memberships that come with lockers and 24-hour access to the lounge.

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“It is a great place to discover a new favorite, hang out with new or old friends, watch a game, learn a few new things and network with people you have common interest with,” Emerson said.

The business has a contributor plan that offers incentives to supporters for various donation amounts.

Depending on the level of contributions, incentives include smoking jackets or vests, special tumblers and names on the business’ “wall of heroes.”

WHY A CIGAR LOUNGE?  

Married since 2014, Emerson met Gonzales, a Texas native, in 2003 while both were stationed in Korea.

Emerson retired after 22 years as a master sergeant. His husband retired after a 20-year Air Force career as a tech sergeant.

They began dabbling in cigars about 15 years ago, trying cigars like the ones you find in a gas station.

They worked their way up to move premium brands.

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“I find them incredibly relaxing. It is a great way to experience the day, live in the moment,” Emerson said.

“In a lot of ways,it is an equalizer. People don’t care who you are, what your background is. You can sit next to anyone and enjoy a great smoke.”

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The Fairborn couple began conceiving the idea for an upscale lounge in mid-2018 and received their occupancy permit in July 2019.

“We thought we would really enjoy sharing our passion with other people,” Emerson said.

The Michigan native sees great potential in B&G’s. They found it after considering several places in Ohio and surrounding states.

“This particular venue had a lot of what we were looking for,” he said. “It has great parking. It is close to the Interstate. It is close to downtown (Dayton). It is close to Miamisburg. It had great square footage. We kind of fell in love with the location.”

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Emerson said he, Gonzales and friend Ben Hite enjoy helping customers.

“One of the things we truly enjoy is pairing the right person with the right cigar for that point in their life, that point in the day,” he said.

WANT TO GO?

What: B&G's Cigar Lounge

Were: 319 W. Central Ave. in West Carrollton

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Connect: BGSCigars.com | Facebook | 937-388-8433