What is Cigar Camp^TM?

"Cigar Camp" was a phrase coined in 1989 by one of the Saturday regulars at Blooms who stopped by for the informal weekly get-together. Someone would make a pot of spicy chili, another would bring a bag of bagels. Marc would bring in cold cuts and beverages. Customers brought in wines and single-malt scotches for others to taste. Blooms on a Saturday became a relaxing place where you could loaf, eat, drink, smoke and lie about your accomplishments.

As word got around that there was a cigar-friendly establishment where you could hang out, Cigar Camp grew in popularity and attracted the cigar smoking masses in the Pittsburgh area. Out-of-towners started stopping by, mentioning that they heard about Camp from a friend or collegue. Just about every type of person imaginable found their way to Blooms. But cigars are a great equalizer, and this pack of folks who normally would not mix were making fast friendships, their love of the cigar the common bond.

Soon came cigar smokers at fine restaurants, Super Bowl parties, Camp outings to Pittsburgh Pirate baseball games and other cigar-friendly affairs. Cigar Camp had arrived.

Over the years Cigar Camp has acquired somewhat of a cult status. Blooms is known as the kind of place where you not only are allowed who you really are, but it's actually encouraged. It keeps things interesting and makes for a curious environment.

We've recently purchased the building next to us and expanded Cigar Camp, which also allowed us to utilize our original store strictly as a humidor. With a large screen television and plenty of loafing area, our new facility is a cigar smoker's paradise.

Cigar Camp meets Saturdays at Blooms, from noon to 7 p.m.