I guess I should start this out by saying that the title may be a little misleading. I didn’t technically attend a cigar festival in Panama City Beach, but rather that’s sort of what broke out the four days we were opening a new store there.

As many of you may already know, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits has decided to expand our celebration expertise further west into the Florida panhandle. Our first store will be opening in a city that knows a little something about celebrations, but sadly hasn’t been properly catered to in this department. Now those in the Panama City area will have a “one-stop shop” for all of their party needs. Of course it took a lot of time and effort to make this happen but I am happy to report that we served our first guest yesterday morning at 9:05 a.m.

The final and most critical stage in opening a new store is loading it up and making it sparkle for the guests. For this, a large group of team members, from all parts of Florida, were literally bussed in to complete the task. It was a diverse group of regional managers, team leaders, assistant team leaders, wine supervisors, wine consultants, beer consultants, inventory team members, and field trainers, a member of the marketing department, and one guy who really loves Bombay Sapphire gin.

The mission that this motley crew of 55 accomplished was that they turned an empty building into the Tahj Mahal of Celebrations in less than four full days. As impressive as this feat was, as a cigar man the thing that impressed me the most was the love and insatiable appetite for cigars that this group had. Between Steve “Big Mungo” Mungeer and myself, we brought well over a hundred sticks. When I got home Thursday evening I had zero cigars in my bag. Of course not everyone smoked, but for each of one of the non-imbibers there was someone like myself to pick up the slack. From the novice to seasoned cigar lovers, everyone enjoyed the cigars that ran the full spectrum of strength, style and flavor.

The new humidor at ABC Panama City Beach

I guess that is what I love most about cigars. It brings people together and forces them to sit, relax and congregate. There is no texting, phone conversations, or Facebook status checks going on; just the occasional “cigar selfie” and lots of conversation.

I am very fortunate that I get to work with such great people and the fact that many enjoy cigars is just icing on the cake. When you have your next work gathering, out of town conference, or corporate retreat, make sure you bring some cigars. Enjoying an evening smoke with those whom you spend so much time working with is a great team building exercise. Perhaps the best.

I am certain that we would have made that new store in Panama City Beach shine without smoking cigars each night, but they certainly made the job more enjoyable.

Visit us now in Panama City Beach at 11699 Panama City Beach Parkway.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North Florida regional manager, Certified Tobacconist and Cicerone Beer Server

Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris.