Business is Smoking at the Havana Cigar Room in Arnold

April Twist was twenty-five and mixing drinks in a Soulard establishment when opportunity knocked on the bar. A longtime customer was leaving town and needed someone to run his cigar shop in Arnold, Havana Cigar Room. Twist was interested, but not sold on the idea of changing jobs. 

“After I saw the shop, I loved it. I immediately thought of what I could do with it.  I had always dreamed of owning my own business, but I had never thought of a cigar room. I realized that rather than running the business for someone else, I wanted to be the owner,” Twist said.

Although she had limited financial resources and no formal training in cigars or business management, Twist made an offer for the shop. To her surprise, the offer was accepted. Twist was the new owner of Havana Cigar Room at 3868 Vogel Road in Arnold.

“I didn’t exactly choose Arnold. It chose me. There wasn’t much on Vogel Road in 2000, but it looked promising. I was going to get a foothold in a rapidly developing area,” Twist said.

“My next step was to learn all about cigars as quickly as possible. I studied every aspect of the field until I felt comfortable with all of the terms, products and accessories involved,” Twist said. 

Part of Twist’s dream was to own a tavern. She started Arnold's three-tired licensing procedure. Before Twist could serve liquor at Havana Cigar Room she needed federal, state and local approval. The red tape seemed almost impossible to Twist.

She admitted her shortcomings and asked for help. Local authorities guided Twist through the licensing requirements. At the final business license hearing, Twist received good wishes in her new business.

True to her word to run an asset, not a detriment, to Arnold, Twist reigns over a well-mannered crowd of locals who enjoy being with friends and neighbors around the bar. Havana Cigar Room is a tavern, where no food is sold, and allows smoking in the shop and bar.

When Twist opened, she worked long hours, had little profit and could barely pay the bills. Over 11 years, she built a flourishing business which employs local people. People pack the tavern on weekends to listen to live music.

Twist remodeled the tavern from a man-cave to an upbeat lounge with tall tables, interesting light fixtures, brightened walls and a larger bar area. The cigar room at the front of the shop boasts controlled humidity and a wide selection of cigars.

Brands include a full line of Maker’s Mark, Ashton, Acid, Macanudo and Monte Cristo. Popular selling cigars fall in the $3-12 range. Twist also carries upscale brands for discerning customers prefer upscale brands. The tavern is one of the few local shops licensed to sell Fuentes tobacco products.

Loyal customer Sam Ronhausen said, “I enjoy the friendly people and sociable atmosphere of the cigar room and tavern. It’s like walking into 'Cheers.' You see friends and meet new people. Sometimes people will drop in and pretty soon they are regulars.” Ronhausen buys most of his cigars at the tavern.

“April had a great selection of cigars to choose from, all types and prices. I prefer a Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur 1066, myself. She also carries flavored cigars that are popular with the ladies," Ronhausen said.

Several times a year Miami cigar manufacturers send representatives to roll cigars at Twist’s cigar shop. Customers can watch the cigar-making process and receive special prices on the ultra-fresh cigars.

Twist attends cigar conventions in Las Vegas. She is not a cigar smoker but samples the convention wares. “Just to be polite to the distributors,” Twist said.

Customers are excited about the new bar area and are booking small private events: bachelor and bachelorette events, happy hours, holiday parties and birthdays.

Cheryl Moody enjoys the tavern but is not a cigar smoker. “I enjoy the bar. My husband and I have been going there for 10 years and we have met many good friends over the years. We call ourselves The Regulars' and almost all of us have held parties there. I had my husband’s recent birthday party there. I love the friendly atmosphere,” Moody said.