Smokin’ project

Vigilant Woodworks in Dover, N.H., was selected to design and build the interior displays and shelving units for the new home of Washington D.C.’s oldest tobacco shop. Vigilant specializes in attractive short- and long-term storage solutions for fine wines and cigars.

W. Curtis Draper, third oldest tobacconist in the U.S., made the best of a bad situation when it had to move. Its new location, next to the White House gift shop, is twice as spacious as the old store, and features Vigilant Woodworks’ custom-designed mahogany millwork and cigar display cases, along with a walk-in cigar humidor.

“Ironically, the challenges of the last few months have led us to create a space that will allow us to carry more product and provide a better experience for our clientele, said project designer Matt Krimm, in a release. “As the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Wood-and-glass display cabinets, constructed of Moabi mahogany, and wall panels of black melamine give the shop a “gentleman’s store” look. Spanish cedar shelving displays the desktop humidors and other premium cigar and pipe products. The cabinets are humidified with custom Guardian electronic humidification systems, and there is a walk-in humidor for storage of the extensive fine cigar collection. Stylish seating areas were added to accommodate up to 10 shoppers.

For photos, visit the blog at www.vigilantinc.com.

This article originally appeared in the June 2012 issue.