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| - Jon's- a rectangle of a store between a sportswear place and an old-time barber shop. Packed to the gills with so many pipes and pipe-blends that you'll need their expertise to know where to start. Oh, and humidors line the walls and cabinets; so, there's no want for cigars either.
These guys supplied my first excellent cigars (Avo Maduros), and when asked, they politely explained and helped with my first pipe and pipe-blend(s). I haven't been steered wrong by the staff yet. There's a reason people come over here and hang out- the staff are hilarious. Excellent discussions ensue over many a bowl of excellent tobacco. Friends frequently bring items to share with others as well.
I didn't realize what a gem this place was until I traveled more and dropped in on other pipe-shops around the country. These fellows go above and beyond. They even have popular Dunhill and Esoterica blends in bulk and sell in ounces as desired. If they have something open, they'll give you a bowl-full to try out in the shop. [Penzance, Margate, And So To Bed (tried all these in ounces first).]
There's a reason Former (Hans) Neilsen drops by the shop first when he enters the country. He always brings his best pipes and they sell them at excellent prices.
While I love Iwanries in Chicago, this place has more of a small-town feel to it, characters included, and is a place not to be missed if you're dropping in for a while. Grab a stogie or a great pipe blend from them on your way to Papa Dell's and enjoy it after a great pizza at a local outdoor beer-garden. [sorry folks, we are plagued with anti-smoking laws here as well]
Tip for the beginning pipe-smoker- "estate pipes" at Jon's are cleaned carefully before sale and are at least half the original selling price. Older pipes have greater value often due to better briar wood available at the time. Antiques can be found in the estate drawers. Not all of them are low-priced! Some Radice Double-Bores are available etc.- so don't go thinking the estates are worse. Jon's has a fantastic selection of estate pipes and also allow lay-away on pipes you love but can't afford all at once.
Be sure to say Hi to Pat. He's fantastic. Stopped me at a local bar a while back and introduced himself to my girlfriend as "Allen's Tobacconist." [I have a tobacconist! LOL] Pat's a gem. Every once in a while another staff member expresses an opinion that I don't agree with, but I still love these guys- I figure I'm dealing with real fellows here and take the every so slight bad opinion with the excellent.
[One of the staff is Deputy Mayor of Champaign, and another is a retired State Police Investigator- so you know they have some stories to tell.] Sorry, I could go on and on here- better stop now! :D
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