When looking at this award, one has to remember that this is not and should not, be solely based on product performance. I think that should be taken into consideration as it reflect how well the company is operating at its core purpose. But there are many things that come to mind when looking at the whole view of what a company not only is, does or makes, but also what it represents. Last year, this award was given to Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. This year, many of us felt that the company that showed their value to more than just ociahgr making was J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
In addition to their cigars, their factories and their staff, J.C. Newman has a soul. That soul exemplifies what a Tampa based cigar maker is with a sense of care for the community and their fellow competitors in the industry. One of the things that J.C. Newman has been working on the last few years is the restoration of their immediate neighborhood with the addition of the Cigar Workers Park. This new park is located across the street from J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj factory in Tampa’s Ybor City National Historic Cigar District. The Newman family dedicated the park to the hundreds of thousands of people who have worked in Tampa’s cigar factories since 1886.
Another thing that J.C. Newman did last year was the addition of their Personal Reserve Program. Guided by a master blender, cigar enthusiasts can create their own personal blends or select from a staff blend. J.C. Newman will hand roll these cigars at its iconic El Reloj cigar factory in the “Cigar City” of Tampa, Florida. After aging, these special cigars will be wrapped with custom cigar bands and packed in personalized leather cabinet humidors. To my knowledge, this is the first of its kind of program where the average consumer can have access to a process and experience many usually will never see. I hope this program continues to be a huge success for years to come.
In addition, the Newman’s are among those who are very involved in legislative efforts and work with the major cigar organizations every day. Plus, their continued work with their long time partners, the Fuente Family, on the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. Most recently, they began a new annual release celebrating the life of iconic painter Leroy Neiman, with all of the proceeds going to support arts education in Tampa’s public schools.
The company is well into its fourth generation by way of Drew Newman, who I think is going to be great for the family business for years to come. Eric and Bobby should be proud and feel comfortable passing the torch. Congratulations to J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
