smoke CITY

World’s Largest Davidoff Store Opens in Tampa by Corona Cigar

Tapping Davidoff’s sleek global design expertise, Orlando husband-and-wife cigar retail team Jeff and Tanya Borysiewicz give “Cigar City” a shot of adrenaline with new Davidoff franchise.

Located in the MetWest International Retail Village—a 32-acre mixed use development in the heart of Tampa’s Westshore Business District—the new 5,000 square foot Davidoff of Geneva Since 1901 Tampa store is the largest Davidoff flagship store in the world, and is also the company’s first licensed flagship shop outside of Las Vegas, owned by Jeff and Tanya Borysiewicz, the husband-and-wife owners and operators of Orlando based Corona Cigar Company.

“The ‘Cigar City’ of Tampa has a long and storied history with cigars,” explains Jeff, president and founder of Corona Cigar Co., who, promises an “ultimate cigar experience” at the new store. “This great community deserves a world-class cigar destination where all are welcome to enjoy cigars and spirits with family and friends,” he added.

The entire interior of the shop is humidified, featuring premium cigar retail space, multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, two different private humidor locker areas, an elegant full-service bar serving premium alcoholic beverages, and a conference area.

Building upon Tanya Borysiewicz‘s successful efforts sourcing many hard-to-find spirits for Corona Cigar’s three Orlando area retail locations, the bar at Davidoff Tampa features an extensive collection of whiskies and small batch bourbons.

“The MetWest center is certain to become a luxury retail and dining destination,” says Davidoff of Geneva U.S.A. President Jim Young of the store’s urban-inspired setting, which continues to expand its base of office space, residences, hotels, retail shopping, and restaurants, all connected with a series of recreation-centric parks and plazas. The complex is already home to numerous restaurants including Del Frisco’s Grille, Cooper’s Hawk Restaurant and Winery, Kona Grill, and Texas de Brazil.

Founded in 1996 by Jeff Borysiewicz as a mail order company that he first operated out of his home, and later his father’s auto service center where Borysciewicz worked for over a dozen years, Corona Cigar Company has grown into a leading online and brick and mortar retailer, operating three Orlando-area locations, all with full liquor service.

The longest-established store at Sand Lake Rd./Dr. Phillips Boulevard, opened in 2002 and today includes a Drew Estate Lounge. The Lake Mary/Heathrow location opened in 2005 and hosts a Montecristo Lounge, while the Downtown store with its Diamond Crown Lounge opened in 2007.

All three locations are situated near concentrations of restaurants, convenient for after-diner socializing. Borysiewicz has brought a number of established traditions from his experience building his Corona Cigar locations, including the same extended operating hours: Davidoff Tampa opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. on Sundays, staying open until midnight Monday and Tuesday; until 1 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

To celebrate the grand opening, Davidoff Cigars unveiled the Exclusive Edition Tampa, the latest entry in its ever-expanding Davidoff Exclusive series. A collaboration between Davidoff Cigars and Jeff Borysiewicz, the cigar is available exclusively at the Davidoff Tampa location. The 6-inch by 52 ring gauge belicoso features a creamy, mild blend to appeal to the largest selection of store customers.

“Like all Davidoff cigars, the Tampa Exclusive is exceptionally crafted,” says Borysiewicz. “However, the flavor profile of this particular cigar is somewhat different. We wanted a mild, creamy cigar that is a little softer on the palate…something approachable for folks just entering in the world of cigars or for those who are looking for mild, pleasing smoke.”

Made with a blend of Dominican fillers and binder and finished with a Connecticut EcuadorRojiza wrapper, the cigars come in 10-count white lacquer boxes of 10and retail at $20 each, or $200 per box.

The cigar debuted in November at the Ybor City Cigar Festival in Tampa and at Cigar Dave’s Alpha Pleasurefest at The ‘Rock at Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa.

> A new bespoke Exclusive Edition Davidoff Tampa cigar is available only at the Davidoff Tampa store.

Davidoff of Geneva

> Like the Corona Cigar Co.’s other store locations, the full liquor bar at Davidoff Tampa carries many rare and exclusive whiskies, bourbons, and rums, thanks to the expertise of co-owner Tanya Borysiewicz.

Davidoff of Geneva

In addition to his active involvement serving on industry trade association boards, Borysiewicz is co-founder and longtime chairman of Cigar Rights of America (CRA), the only consumer, grassroots organization in existence fighting to protect the rights of cigar consumers to be able to buy, afford, and smoke fine cigars. [S]

> Davidoff Tampa.

Davidoff of Geneva

> Davidoff Tampa.

Davidoff of Geneva

Davidoff of Geneva Since 1901 Tampa, 4142 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, Fla. Tel: (813) 513-7560, Web: davidofftampa.com.