105 Cigar Co.

105 Cigar Co. sits in downtown Matthews, and the building alone is worth the trip. This was once a bank, and the shop leaned into that history in the best way. The old heavy steel vault door now welcomes you into a large walk-in humidor stocked deep with cigars. Locals will tell you the whole place has a vintage, character-filled feel that you just do not find in most cigar shops around North Carolina.

Ask anyone who spends an afternoon here and they'll point you to the lounge. There's spacious seating inside, a roomy back deck, and an inviting front porch where you can sit and smoke comfortably while watching Main Street. People love that you can grab a drink to go with your cigar too, with beer, wine, cold brews, coffee, and a bar for spirits all part of the setup. The recently redone members room has been getting a lot of love from the regulars.

The selection is where this place shines. The humidor holds many of the major brands, and the word around Matthews is that the shop's own 105 House cigars are worth trying, with more than a few folks becoming fans after one visit. Prices land in fair territory, and people appreciate getting quality without feeling squeezed. Service gets brought up again and again, especially the guys behind the counter.

One first-timer wasn't sure what to pick and left thrilled after Joel walked him through the options, and Alberto has earned the same kind of praise for being genuine and steering people toward great smokes. This is one of the highest-rated cigar shops in the area, and it's easy to see why. Plenty of parking, a walkable stretch of Main Street that's lovely at night, and a crew that makes you feel at home. As one regular put it, if you're looking for a place to call home, 105 Cigar Co. is worth a shot.