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Eric Whitaker
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Eric Whitaker
In 1976, I was apprenticed to Mr. Jeff and Jerry Millick, of The Humidor Tobacco Shop of Charlotte, and also The Tinder Box of Southpark, Charlotte, at the age of 15. In 1979, I was an employee of Hamlett’s Pipe & Cigars, in Santa Maria, California. In 1982, I was apprenticed to Mr. Dan Cook, Tobacconist, of Cook’s Pipe and Tobacco Shop, of Concord, North Carolina., for several years, in summer months, until he sold his shop in 1992. Today, I mentor my nephew, Mr. Jason Blanco, sole proprietor of J.White’s Tobacco Company, who has been in the trade for 10 years. I’m a monkey’s uncle—and he’s the “monkey”
I’m lucky enough to know of some past relatives who were pioneers of the Tobacco industry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, although they never left me anything, that I know of.
I have a “working pipe” collection, each of which I smoke. I enjoy fine tobaccos from Outwest Tobacco, of Pocatello Idaho.
I am a Master Freemason, and a Tobacconist, dedicated to the service of patrons of the trade, and fellow tobacconists.
Currently, I’m working at Vandenberg Air force Base, California, as a humble government contractor. Occasionally, I see a missile launch. I’m researching my roots back to the old country, and some day, I’ll visit the land where my ancestors lived. I hope it leads to the steps of an old tobacco shop, of which, some day I will open my own.
I enjoy helping people get the most enjoyment from their smoking, and I learn new things everyday. I’m not an expert, far greater people have walked the paths I walk—but I Thank the Good Lord above, that He gave me the wisdom that I’ve got a lot more knowledge to pursue.
Thank you , for your interest and time.
Eric Whitaker
Eric's Visit
A Visit To MAIN STREET TOBACCO, a.k.a. “OutwestTobacco.com”
By: Eric Whitaker
On 24 th of October, 2006, I had the privilege of visiting Main Street
Tobacco, of Pocatello, Idaho. The little shop is located in the historic
part of town. All around it, I noticed old brick buildings that were
constructed in the 1800’s. The shop is actually inside a converted
old house, of which a modern, professional, clean and orderly business
is inside.
The world’s finest tobaccos are available here! I had the pleasure
of sampling many of them—all of which were neatly stocked in tins
and sample containers, in the front of the store, and a humidified back
room (the old kitchen, converted) used for bulk storage of vast arrays
of tobaccos, featuring a full line of McClelland’s, Peter Stokkebye’s,
Cornell & Diehl, Lane Ltd, Two Friends, MacBarens, and others! What
a sight to behold! Hundreds of pounds of the world’s finest tobacco!
I also was amazed at the beautiful assortment of briar smoking pipes, in the front of the store, which included a nice selection of Stanwell Danish Briars, Peterson Irish Briars, Brindisi pipes, and Now, Savinelli pipes! Meerschaum pipes, too!
(Partial picture of the pipe department)
In the back of the store, customers can relax in an easy chair, smoke, drink a cup of coffee, and have access to a buffing wheel machine, complete with a block of carnauba wax—to clean up their pipes!
As you see—it’s easy to be overwhelmed by such a vast assortment of tobacco and pipes—but I believe just about anybody can find a “favorite” here! After all, variety is the “spice of life”, and so it is with tobacco and pipes.
The best part of the store is meeting Brian and Gene. Gene is the sole
proprietor of the business. He and Brian have knowledge, expertise,
attention to detail, and provide a friendly, personalized service to
customers. You will walk out, a happy, contented customer, after meeting
a wonderful person with an “Old World” charm and approach
to exceeding his customer’s needs. Gene and Brian let YOU, the
customer, decide for yourself, what you like. If you have questions,
they will help you.
Gene Brian
At Main Street Tobacco, I have found “A Little Time and Place to Smoke.”