Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe

Next Gen

3 months ago

★★★★★

Visited this cigar store for the first time today, and I was thoroughly impressed! The owner was incredibly respectful, friendly, and clearly passionate about what they do. The atmosphere is warm, relaxing, and perfect for anyone who appreciates good cigars and good company. If you’re looking for a great experience, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything to complain about here. I’d absolutely recommend this place, 10/10, a must-visit spot I’ll definitely be coming back to!!

Edward Polanco

8 months ago

★

This was, without exaggeration, one of the most insulting and disappointing customer experiences I’ve ever had — and that’s saying something. I walked into this store with the simple intention of buying a gift for my father-in-law. I wasn’t browsing aimlessly. I had purpose. Something caught my eye almost immediately. As I approached the product, a white, bald employee came over and started explaining what it was — even though it was blatantly obvious. The box had a one-sentence description right on it, and there was an actual demo unit right next to it. But apparently, the fact that I touched the box meant I needed to be spoon-fed a condescending, patronizing explanation, as though I couldn’t read or comprehend what I was looking at. I already knew what it was. I didn’t need the lecture. But I let him talk, thinking maybe he was just doing his job. I calmly told him I was just looking around and enjoying the store. That should’ve been the end of it. It wasn’t. Instead, this man lit a cigar — yes, indoors, and yes, seriously — and proceeded to follow me around the store. Not in a helpful way. Not in a “let me know if you have any questions” kind of way. He kept his distance, but made it painfully clear that he was tracking me. Watching. Monitoring. Like I was a threat. I gave him zero reason to treat me like that. But clearly, to him, someone who looks like me is immediately suspicious. At first, I second-guessed myself. Thought maybe I was being overly sensitive. But then I noticed the mirrors — and other reflective surfaces — around the store. Every time I turned a corner or shifted direction, I’d catch him in my peripheral vision, staring. Adjusting his posture in his seat to keep a better view of me. Moving slightly when I moved, trying to look casual while clearly tracking my every step. I walked to different sections just to be sure. His eyes followed every time. Let me be clear: this wasn’t customer service. This was surveillance. This was profiling. And it was disgusting. Eventually, I’d had enough. This is 2025. We’re in Albany, New York, not some small-town shop stuck in the 1980s. I was not going to tolerate that level of disrespect any longer. As I walked toward the exit, I still chose to be polite. I said “Thank you” as I headed for the door. But of course, he couldn’t resist getting in one last passive-aggressive jab — delivered with a smirk, like he had confirmed something he already believed about me. “Did you find what you were looking for? Was there anything I could help you with?” I stopped. I turned. And I responded, calmly but firmly: “I did. I was actually going to make a purchase. But you made the entire experience uncomfortable. You followed me around. You watched me the whole time. And it didn’t feel like you were trying to help — it felt like you were trying to catch me doing something wrong.” He immediately got defensive. Of course he did. He denied it. Played innocent. Claimed he wasn’t watching me. I told him I’d been observing him through the mirrors, just as he had been watching me. I confronted him with the facts, but made sure to keep my tone measured — not because I wasn’t angry, but because I refused to give him the satisfaction of fitting into whatever biased, small-minded narrative he had already built about me. I told him I was leaving because I clearly made him uncomfortable. And in return, he made me feel unwelcome. So if my presence in the store was such a threat, I’d remove it — and make it easier for everyone to go back to their little illusion of comfort and control. Now, here’s what makes the whole thing even more insulting: right at the entrance of the store, there’s a large image of a man who appears to be Hispanic, surrounded by Caribbean and Latin American flags — including the flag of my own country. That imagery gave me a sense of hope. It told me, “You’re welcome here. You’re seen. You belong.” But that? That was nothing but smoke and mirrors. Marketing. A ruse to sell inclusion and diversity to people like me.

Serena Beana

a year ago

★★★★★

Large variety of quality cigars! Top notch service! I walked in mere minutes before close. And staff were welcoming and helpful! I do not smoke cigars and was buying a gift. The gentleman asked perfect questions to get matched up with the right cigars. - They threw in the matches, which is pretty standard, but also a cigar box, because I mentioned I was gifting it, which I thought was very nice. I was in and out so quick. A man walked in as I was checking out (it had to be 2 mins to close). The man was greeted by name and they immediately got to taking care of. Outstanding service & feedback on the cigars was superb. Highly recommended.

Quiet The Abbot

7 years ago

★★★★★

Good selection. Decent prices close to Virginia prices. Considering VA tobacco taxes are low. Billy was very helpful. Nice lounge.

Sean Ernye

2 months ago

★★★★★

Top notch staff. Above and beyond helpful and friendly. All of them.