Retailing News

Burn by Rocky Patel Indianapolis Hosts Grand Opening

INDIANAPOLIS—Rocky Patel Premium Cigars celebrated the grand opening of its fifth Burn by Rocky Patel cigar lounge location with the debut of its Indianapolis lounge on December 18.

Located on the corner of Meridian and Maryland Streets, occupying part of the former Nordstrom’s Circle Centre location in a historical landmark building, it joins the company’s Burn by Rocky Patel locations in Atlanta; Naples, Fla.; Oklahoma City; and Pittsburgh. The 6,000 sq. foot lounge was announced nearly three years ago, and features opulent appointments including Moroccan lamps, back-lit turquoise-colored Turkish ceiling glass, and gold high-backed chairs, among numerous other glitzy details.

The venue can accommodate up to 180 guests and includes three VIP sections, two full service bars stocking rare and ultra premium liquors, a state-of-the-art air filtration system glass-enclosed humidor displays, and facilities for live music.

Bits&Pieces

• Illinois’ new recreational cannabis law allows cities to grant local cigar shops and other similar businesses, such as hookah lounges, permission to let cannabis smokers smoke marijuana in their shops.

Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana for adult use, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June signed the bill into law that took effect Jan. 1, 2020. Consumers aged 21 and older can buy marijuana products from licensed sellers in Illinois—with or without a medical marijuana card—and smoke them on-site in some cannabis-related businesses.

Julie Neumann, owner of Neumann Cigars and More locations in suburban Chicago, told WBGZ Radio it’s not likely that many retail cigar outlets will allow marijuana consumption. “It would be offensive to them if we allowed people to come in and smoke marijuana,” she said.

“I would assume others would be in the same position, not wanting to offend their current customers.”

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has already introduced such an ordinance, but would be limited to shops that make 80 percent of their revenue from tobacco-related products, are located in stand-alone building with proper ventilation systems in place, and are banned from alcohol sales or BYOB consumption.