Rem's Place

vampire hiss

3 months ago

★★★

I’ve been coming to Rem’s Pipe & Tobacco on and off for ~ 8 years and have generally had good experiences in the past, which is why I feel it’s important to make specific notes of my most recent experience. From a product standpoint, Rem’s is still probably the best cigar and pipe shop you’re going to find within a 3–5 hour drive in this region, and to their credit, the selection reflects that. In particular, they have one of the most complete Padron and Padron 1964 series selections I’ve seen even compared to much larger shops. Overall selection and pricing are solid, and for Western Colorado this is realistically the best option available without driving toward the Four Corners or Front Range. That said, my most recent visit was deeply disappointing due to staff behavior. Specifically, from an employee named Victor. Upon entering, I was not meaningfully greeted and browsed quietly for a few minutes before any acknowledgment, which stood out mainly because other customers were greeted warmly as they entered, as have I in the past. I asked a few basic questions about Missouri Meerschaum pipes (maple vs. corn cob), explaining that I’d owned carved meerschaums in the past and was considering getting back into pipe smoking, as I’m primarily a cigar smoker. The responses were dismissive and disengaged (“people smoke both,” “they’re about the same”), with no follow-up questions, recommendations, or effort to understand my preferences. Even basic topics like pipe break-in were not mentioned unless I brought them up myself. This felt like a missed opportunity, as I came in open to recommendations and being upsold to a higher end pipe. I had a similar experience asking about Deadwood cigars. any discussion was shut down rather than engaged with, and no alternatives or suggestions were offered. When I briefly looked into the cigar lounge (door was open, didn’t entering), Victor reacted physically and stood up as if to stop me, which felt unnecessarily confrontational. At checkout, I was asked for ID while multiple other customers who appeared to be a similar age to myself were not visibly ID’ed, and staff were notably warmer and more conversational with them. I have no issue with being IDed, but the process itself was handled poorly. I specifically asked if it needed to be scanned, was told yes, and then it wasn’t scanned at all? Just squinted at for an extended period with no verbal confirmation. The situation escalated when Victor became openly confrontational, laughed at me, and made comments such as “what’s your deal, bro.” After I grabbed my property from his hand. When I calmly explained that the issue was the treatment and attitude throughout the visit and asked for his name to document the experience, his demeanor worsened. As I was leaving, he used explicit profanity toward me and then changed his wording to something slightly less but still profane when challenged. I did not raise my voice, insult anyone, or initiate hostility. The problem was not store policy, pricing, or product, it was staff conduct. This is especially disappointing because I came in intending to spend money and inquire about lounge membership after a more permanent relocation in the area Rem’s has strong inventory and fills an important niche in this region, which is why I’m hoping ownership or management takes this feedback seriously. One employee’s behavior shouldn’t undermine what could is otherwise a solid shop. Until that’s addressed, potential customers should be aware that customer treatment here can be inconsistent.

MICHAEL PATE

7 months ago

★★★★★

What a great place!!! From Washington state but have family here, was recommended here by a friend, and it was totally worth stopping in. Meet Lucas the owner, super helpful and nice guy! Large selection as advertised, the humidor was clean, organized and well stocked! We'll always stop in here from now on during our visits!!!! Thank you for your hospitality.

David Boyd

3 months ago

★★★★★

I have been shopping there for almost 5 years now and this is the best place for customer service and quality products. All of the guys behind the counter are top notch!

mark platz

6 months ago

★★★★★

Wide selection of cigars knowledgeable personnel. Only members only cigar smoking Lounge in town for a day the guy was going to let us smoke in there. Was very impressed for Grand Junction Colorado.

Carol Cishek

2 months ago

★★★★★

A great shop One of the best import cigars selection. And they also have a cigar lounge.