Rios opens Stallion Cigar Club on Main Street

By Karen Brainard

Ramona cigar smokers no longer have to go down the hill for a fresh cigar.

Jerry Rios has opened the Stallion Cigar Club at 2344 Main St., next door to Wilson Glass, and says he has the freshest cigars in town.

“I love cigars and I was tired of driving down the hill,” said Rios, a Ramona resident.

Not only does Rios sell a variety of cigars, but he offers a place to relax and enjoy a good smoke with others. The cigar club has couches, a big screen television and free WiFi. Rios is planning to expand into the space next door so patrons can shoot pool and play darts. The lounge is climate-controlled with a ventilation system.

Cigars sold come from manufacturers around the world and are stored in a humidified humidor. They range from mild to full-body, full-flavor. Brands include CAO, Rocky Patel, Romeo and Juliet, and, for the ladies, a sweet cigar called Tatiana.

Everyone has a free gold membership to use the lounge, Rios said. He plans on offering a platinum membership where patrons will receive discounts on cigars and cigar accessories and can have humidor lockers onsite.

“This is nice,” said Joe Oviatt while he sat on a on a couch, smoking a cigar. “I hope this is successful.”

Oviatt said he used to travel once a week to a cigar lounge in San Marcos and he’s glad he doesn’t have to drive down the hill now.

Rios recently joined the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, which had a ribbon-cutting event at the cigar lounge on Aug. 31.

The Stallion Cigar Club is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is open to men and women over age 18. Rios sells beverages and is applying for a beer and wine license.

More information is available at www.stallioncigarclub.com.