A Slower Roll

In the heart of Mountain Brook lies a hidden world of community, tranquility, and art, all found in a local cigar shop

By Walker Frederick

The world of cigars is rooted in family, art and a vibrant community that has found its way to Mountain Brook. In a delicate and tedious hand making process, the real beauty of a cigar is found in the people who make them and enjoy them. Vitola Fine Cigars has captured the pleasures of what makes this art form from the past so amazing today.

Jim Warlick, manager of Vitola Fine Cigars in Mountain Brook, describes the tobacco industry as “slow evolving.” “We never look too far ahead. We like to keep our expectations open, and focus on year to year growth,” he said.

Vitola offers an in-house lounge area for people to relax, converse and explore different cigars. Many of Vitola’s frequent visitors enjoy long hours sitting in large leather chairs among the hazy smoke, telling stories of days long past. Warlick often sits himself among the regulars, learning about life, and hearing stories of wiser and longer lived men. “We have TV’s on in here, but most of the time no one is watching,” he said.

The tranquility and ambiance of Vitola is felt when customers enter through the glass doors. Immediately, visitors are met with a wall of beautifully handcrafted cigar boxes that stacked to the ceiling, and the smell of tobacco filling their nostrils. For the regulars, it’s a smell that keeps them coming back. Vitola is one of the only in-house cigar lounges in Mountain Brook, and they make you feel like it’s home.

I scanned the three layered shelves that lined the inside of their glass humidor, looking for one cigar that would catch my eye. It can be daunting, trying to pick just one amongst the hundreds that lie before you, especially when your previous knowledge of the subject is incredibly limited. I picked out a San Lotano Toro cigar and sat myself among the smoke cloud, taking in what it would be like to be an aficionado of such a niche thing.

Robert Whitaker, a fiveyear regular of Vitola, was blind to what the world of cigars held in store. But after immersing himself in the community, he has found a new passion that has brought him peace he did not know before.

“My grandfather was always a big cigar smoker, and he was the one who actually suggested I give Vitola a look, and ever since then I’ve been coming back. The people I’ve met and the conversations we’ve been able to have, it’s all just been wonderful,” said Whitaker

With a rich and vibrant history, rooted in handcrafted labor, the world of cigars is still unknown to many people. Vitola provided a gateway for me, and through the staff and wonderful people who frequent the store, I have been able to discover and immerse myself in a brand new world and hobby that is evermore appealing the longer I am a part of it.

“People will come and spend hours here, just sitting and listening. There’s no rush of coming and going,” said Whitaker. As life in the 21st century continuously moves faster, it can be nice to slow down every once in a while.

Photos by Lilly Kate Hollis From Top: Cigar boxes stacked in store front window. Jim Warlick working behind the desk at Vitola. Hand crafted Lunatic cigars and box found at Vitola.