Two friends have opened a new business from the ashes left by their former employers. 
Dalton Healy, co-owner of Cigar Lounge and Auston Nolan, senior business major and co-owner, both worked at Stogies, a cigar shop, and saw pros and cons of how the business was being run.  Once the building was up for sale, Healy said he decided it was time to ask his friends if they wanted to go into business with him.
“We thought it would be fun,” Nolan said.  “It was a snap decision.” 
But the two co-owners were on the same page when it came to their business.  They said they wanted the place to have a certain feel about it.
“We wanted it to be lodge-y, classy or kind of outdoorsy but comfortable.  Where guys can be guys,” Healy said.  “We want girls to be comfortable, too, but we want it to feel outdoorsy and natural because cigars are natural.” 
Both Healy and Nolan agree they “have the college crowd covered” and that they enjoy that particular crowd but would like to attract an older generation of cigar enthusiasts.
“The older crowd is just more knowledgeable and faithful,” Healy said.  “They can buy more.”
Daniel Rhea, senior communication major and employee of the former cigar shop, said he now comes to Cigar Lounge to enjoy the friendly atmosphere and better selection.
“They are better in every way,” Rhea said. 
 Rhea said there will not be live music on Friday nights.
“Live music is a drastic change,” Rhea said.  “It gives the under-21 crowd a place to hang out and enjoy some live music without having to sit behind a fence.” 
There have been several changes besides the management.   The walk-in humidor is better stocked and looks cleaner; the space is much easier to see the affordable prices and options to choose from.
The upstairs lounge area has been rearranged, as well. In the old cigar shop, the lounge was not very spacious. Now, the management has the lounge set up in a way that allows the space to feel roomier. Even with more space, Healy set a limit of how many people can be upstairs.
“Well, it only fits seven, so that is how many can come and comfortably sit,” Healy said. 
Another major change with the new business is the new name.  Cigar Lounge was named such so the building would no longer be referred to as Stogies.
“When you type in ‘pizza,’ ‘Pizza Hut’ pops up; when you type in ‘cigar+starkville’ in Google, ‘Cigar Lounge of Starkville’ is what you get,” Healy said.  “Also, we want the name to show what our main point is.” 
Cigars are not the only items to be found in their shop; Cigar Lounge also has a selection of hookahs, hookah accessories and any cigar related accessories such as cutters, travel humidors and punchers. T-shirts are coming soon.
Cigar Lounge’s hours are from noon to midnight during the week and noon to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.  The prices vary anywhere from $4 to $26 or $28 once new cigars come in.  Cigar Lounge also has membership options which come with personal lockers and much more.  Follow them on Twitter @StarkvilleCigar to learn about special deals.