Tobacco Pipes Search
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Note: This is a refreshed blog post from an article originally published on February 19, 2015.
Smoking can be a solitary pursuit; nothing is quite as photogenic as a pipe smoker gazing stoically into the distance like they're some sort of 1940s spouse waiting for their lover to return from the war. But there comes a time when the mood strikes for a lively conversation between briar smokers. Some might say this mood hits, oh, say, about once every month, probably on a Friday or Saturday evening. And that, my dear reader, is why today, I will advise you on how to form your pipe club. That way, you can satisfy the desire for conversation and fellowship but still have alone time.
Step One: The Devil Is In The Details
It is one thing to say you'll do something; it's another thing to actually do it. Before you rush off to ask your local smoke lounge permission for a group to meet, it's advised to have some form of a plan for how this might work. How often will your club meet? Weekly, bi-weekly, once a month? What days and times might you hope to meet? How will this benefit the business you're asking for space to use? These are the questions an owner is bound to ask.
The weekends are a precious commodity, especially Friday and Saturday nights when people are most likely to go out. The start of a week and the middle, however, tend to be slower, making having a dedicated group of customers on those nights a lot more appealing. Mondays and Tuesdays are often noted as the slowest days in retail and food industries. Having an idea of how often the owner can expect a reliable group of smokers sweetens the pot, and having some form of a plan on how they're guaranteed their dues goes a step further.
For example, if your smoke lounge offers drinks, you might set a drink minimum for club members during meetings. You might also pick a tobacco to base the meeting around that the shop/lounge sells for members to stock up on the day of the meeting. Or you could just have members pay some quarterly dues to the shop for the privilege of meeting. Having some form of an actionable plan is more likely to get you a yes than just asking without any idea of what your vision may be.
Step Two: Location, Location, Location
Once you have defined an action plan, it's time to consider your options for a meeting location. You could say your house, but strangers tend to be a little conservative in popping over to a complete stranger's home for a meeting with no idea of what they're walking into. A public location is preferred. Common club locations are smoking lounges in tobacco shops and cigar bars but you might also find some luck in patios outside of bars or private clubhouses. Just make sure it's a location that's easy to access and not too far off the beaten path. Nobody wants to drive to Dave's private pool hall in the boonies.
Step Three: Spread The Word!
You've got a plan, you've got a location, and now you just need the people. Start with flyers at your meeting location, then ask some local places around your community with community announcement boards if you can put some up there. Next, take to the internet. You can ask the location where you're meeting to make an announcement on their social media or email listing. You can also post in local Facebook groups, social media with hashtags, and pipe-dedicated forums like Reddit or Discord.
Just remember: It's your first meeting; you're probably not going to have the largest group possible. More likely than not, you'll have a handful of people and that's more than enough for starting off! Word of mouth is your most powerful marketing tool. Deliver a quality meeting and you'll be growing in numbers in no time.
Step Four: Have A Good Time!
You've put in the hard work, and now it's time to reap the rewards. It's the first meeting, so just keep it loose. Have some conversation starters or icebreaker questions ready to go. If you're feeling frisky, bring a little deli or vegetable tray for some light bites, and make sure to have some tobacco to share with your new comrades! Don't get too bogged down in trying to set roles like president, treasurer, or other such bureaucratic nonsense. The people are there to talk and smoke; if you keep growing, then try to make those decisions, but at the start, just have a good time.
Step Five: Feedback And Next Meeting!
You should have a set meeting time, but it's always a good idea to remind people of the next time you'll be meeting. You might also poll the group to make sure that the time remains suitable for everyone. Exchange contact information, shake hands, and go home feeling satisfied with a job well done! Your brain child has grown and you've got your own dedicated group to share your hobby.
There you have it: five easy steps to create the pipe club of your dreams. We look forward to hearing from you about your own experiences starting a club, and we can't wait to see smokers across the world make new connections. Happy smokes!
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Comments
Excellent advice Andrew, here in Kalamazoo Michigan, I do not think there are any pipe smoking clubs. The ones that feature tobacco as the thing preferred to smoke in a pipe anyways. I am friends with a local tobacco shop owner and intend to broach the subject with him on my return from a trip to the north of New York. I am new to the pipe smoking world with only a year or so under my belt. The rich history of the pipe smoking world and of pipe crafting has been my pleasure to learn and enjoy. While my filet Mignon tastes have abused my hamburger bank account on occasion. Smoking pipes have been a constant source of information and wise counsel in the area of my pleasurable hobby. I hope to send a pic of my new favorite church warden: the "Wizard" from the Cobbit collection by Missouri Meerschaum. Thanks again.
Thanks for the kind words, Rich! That sounds like a great plan! Looking forward to seeing that Cobbit!
Just checked out the Cobbit Collection on Missouri Meerschaum's website -- pretty cool! Thanks, Rich!
http://corncobpipe.com/smokingpipes.html
You are welcome Jim, glad to help. Thank you for putting the link in for me.