COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Economic Growth Alliance and the City of Coldwater announced Friday night that a premium cigar shop that will be known as the Corona Smoke Shop will open early this winter in the former Wilbur’s Furniture store in downtown Coldwater.
Jason and Amanda Phebus of Parma recently bought the property at 71 West Chicago with the goal of opening their sixth Corona Smoke Shop in Michigan.
They estimate the Coldwater location will be their largest if plans for a 5,000 square foot store go according to plan.
A news release from the Branch County Economic Growth Alliance and the city stated that like the five other locations, the Corona Smoke Shop will offer a walk-in humidor, hand rolled cigars, pipe tobacco, imported cigarettes, smoking accessories, and accessories for roll-your-own tobacco and machines.
The store will also offer lounges for their customers with large screen TV’s and free Wi-Fi. Plans also call for the opening of a “Cigar Lounge” where patrons can enjoy cigars and cigarettes as well as a “Cigar Bar” where only cigars may be enjoyed, but customers would be able to purchase alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption.
The Wilbur’s Furniture buildings have been largely out of use since the store closed about a year ago when the owners retired. Wilber’s had been in business for 101 years.
Of the three buildings which were on the market, the southernmost building on South Monroe will not be part of the planned Corona Smoke Shop. The Phebus’ are currently looking to lease that building “to accommodate another business that will compliment all of the other businesses currently operating on Monroe Street.”
-reporting by Jim Measel
