House of Cigar

House of Cigar in Powell has built a strong local reputation as a real destination for cigar lovers, and the first thing people mention is that humidor. It's enormous, and the selection inside is what keeps folks coming back. Ask anyone who shops here and Arturo Fuente comes up fast, along with a deep lineup that runs from Padron, Opus X, and Liga Privada to Montecristo, Davidoff, Ashton, Cohiba, Rocky Patel, Alec Bradley, CAO, and Zino. If you're after something specific, say aged Maduros, the crew will spend real time walking you through options until you leave with a good assortment.

The staff are a big part of the draw. Tod (or Todd, depending on who's telling the story) gets named again and again as friendly, welcoming, and genuinely knowledgeable, and Brandy earns the same kind of praise. The word around town is that the pricing here holds up well, even on cigars people are used to seeing marked way up elsewhere. Beyond the sticks, they carry hookah and shisha and a range of accessories, including Xikar cutters, Zippo and ST Dupont lighters, Lotus, Cigar Saver, and Porsche Design pieces.

There's a lounge too, with a large seating area, sofas, and a big TV. Regulars talk up the community side of it, the kind of place where a room full of cigar knowledge gathers and you feel at home ten minutes in. We'll be honest: a couple of folks have grumbled about the condition of the space and one had a hard time catching them at the posted opening time. Those are the exceptions, though.

Most people who walk through the door leave happy, and plenty make a point of stopping in whenever they're passing through the Columbus area. If you're looking for a cigar shop in Powell with a serious humidor and people who know their stuff, House of Cigar is worth the trip.