According to recent reporting, a new cigar lounge is headed to Dayton next year, when Wright Dunbar Cigar Shoppe & Lounge opens at 1153 W Third St. Named for the Wright Dunbar business district where it will be located, when it opens, Wright Dunbar Cigar Shoppe & Lounge will be the first cigar lounge in downtown Dayton.
The business is being brought to the district by neighbors turned business partners Jeff Jackson and Dallas Webster. Jackson tells What Now Columbus that guests can expect a classic upscale lounge vibe from the business, with wood decor, lounge style seating and low lighting.
The building had been abandoned for over a decade before Jackson and Webster chose it as the spot for their business, with $950,000 invested in the renovation and buildout of the space with funding assistance from CityWide Development and the City of Dayton.
Coming in at 4,000 square feet of space across two floors, along with an outdoor area dubbed “the cigarden” the business will sell cigars as well as allow onsite consumption. For the dedicated cigar enthusiast, there are plans for a membership option and the second floor will be devoted to members only. The selection of premium cigars will be ideal for any cigar smoker, from the first time smoker to the cigar aficionado.
Jackson brings a background in media sales and co-founding the nonprofit Planned2Give, while Webster is a retired IT project manager, but together the business partners see cigars as a way to bring people together and build community over a shared experience.
“A cigar is a unifier. It brings people together,” Jackson said.
Although they can be consumed alone, a glass of wine, spirit or a bite to eat can often enhance a great cigar. And guests can experience this first hand at one of the many events hosted at Wright Dunbar Cigar Shoppe & Lounge that will focus on pairing food and drink with cigars. Jackson envisions the twice monthly events showcasing the various wines, spirits, desserts, charcuterie and other foods that pair well with cigars.
The current timeline for opening the business is in the second quarter of 2024.
