The Tinder Box at Easton

The Tinder Box at Easton is one of the best-regarded cigar shops you'll find anywhere around Columbus, and honestly the reputation reaches well beyond the city limits. People make the drive from as far as Toledo for it, and more than one traveler who keeps a favorite shop in every city they pass through will tell you this is their pick for the Columbus area, hands down. That kind of loyalty says a lot. The heart of the place is the lounge. Locals describe it as clean, comfortable and set up the way a cigar smoker actually wants, with good ventilation, plenty of room, and no one rushing you out the door.

There's comfy seating inside that tends to fill up with folks chatting and enjoying a stick, small snacks on hand, and outdoor seating for when the weather turns nice. Ask anyone who spends time here and they'll mention the outdoor space as a genuinely cool spot to sit and swap stories with other smokers. If you'd rather eat and drink alongside your cigar, we hear Fidos Irish Pub is the move. The humidor is a big part of the draw. Regulars talk about one of the largest cigar selections in the area, spanning the big-name brands right through to boutique lines, in a range of strengths, all organized so you can find your smoke quickly.

Owners Brian and Steve even have their own personal label, BS, and the shop carries cigarettes, cloves, pipes, flavored cigars, rolling papers and accessories too. Then there's the crew, which is where this shop really wins people over. Brian and Steve have built a team that folks name by first name: Todd, Nate, Josh, Eric and Dan. Eric gets singled out for being friendly and genuinely good at teaching newcomers about cigars, and the guys are known for spotting a regular walking in and already having their usual waiting on the counter. Prices are considered fair and reasonable across the board.

A few people mention it's on the smaller side with limited seating, but that intimacy is part of the charm. For a cigar shop in Columbus, this one is easy to recommend.