Dover, N.H. - Vigilant Woodworks, a manufacturer of fine cabinetry and woodwork, 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 they had to move out of the DC location where they had done business for 20 years. Their 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.

Superior expertise in fine cabinetry and cigar storage made Vigilant Woodworks a natural choice to manufacture the new store's interior displays, counters, and cigar storage solutions. Vigilant's designers worked with owner Matt Krimm and D.C.-based project designer and architect, Elizabeth Hafner from Collective Architecture, to create an impressive entrance and shopping space designed to be both inviting and comfortable.

"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 Krimm. "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 ten shoppers, a luxury they couldn't have in the smaller store.

Source: Vigilant Woodworks