The Whitworthian

Issue date: 11/21/06 Last Updated: 12/26/07

Tobacco World, located in the Flour Mill, had a more expensive selection of cigars and about twice as many loose leaf tobaccos, but charged $3.41 per ounce. They carry over 120 mid-range pipes, in addition to a good selection of Meerschaum pipes and blenders pipes (in which one can smoke more than one blend of tobacco at a time). The shopkeeper described Tobacco World as "one of the few independently owned truly American tobacco shops left." To clarify, he noted that by "American" he meant "Americana," as compared to the common European version of a smokeshop which sell water pipes, hookahs and detox kits, and are often referred to as "Head Shops" after the Grateful Dead and their fans, Deadheads. Tobacco World also features a large selection of foreign cigarettes, such as Dunhills, Djarum, Ecstacy and Turkish Specials.

The third shop I visited, Smokin' Tobacco Shop, is owned by Laith Elaimy, who also owns Nikko's Greek Restaurant and Bistango's Martini Bar. The shopkeeper when I was there, Whitworth junior Carina Overstreet, has worked for Elaimy for almost two months. Overstreet smokes cigars and hookah and recommended pomegranate hookah as her favorite flavor.

Overstreet said that what differentiates Elaimy's shop from other local tobacconists was its focus on hookah and its selection of cigars. Smokin' does have the best selection of cigars of the three shops. Overstreet said Smokin' features Opus X cigars, produced by Elaimy's friend, Carlos Fuente. The Opus X cigars are priced up to $200 per cigar. Overstreet said that Smokin' was an outgrowth from the cigar club that is a mainstay in Nikko's Greek Restaurant. She said the club has an annual membership fee of $1,500. Smokin' was the only shop of the three to sell hookahs and especially premium cigars, but it doesn't feature many pipes or any custom blends of pipe tobacco.

Each of the shops deserves accolades for particular reasons. Topp's Tobacco Square has kept prices low and service excellent. It is also the closest store to Whitworth, so it is good for impromptu celebratory smokes. Tobacco World has the best selection of pipes, pipe tobacco, and foreign cigarettes, so if you're want a new experience, head there. Smokin' is the only shop with hookahs, and if you're looking for the best cigar experience, Elaimy's shop is the obvious choice. To each occasion a different shop, and for once, Spokane has enough variety to satisfy.

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