Old Virginia Tobacco Company to Take Over John Crouch Tobacconist in Old Town
This will be their seventh location in Northern Virginia.
Alexandria, VA – What’s your favorite cigar? Well, the spot you might usually go to pick it up in Old Town is changing hands. Old Virginia Tobacco Company is taking over The Scottish Merchant/John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King Street, and over the course of the next couple of months you’ll start seeing some major changes.
“It’s an old shop and it needs some investment, and that’s what we’re going to do,” said Gary Pesh, the owner of Old Virginia Tobacco. “I’m excited for the opportunity. The guys that work there now are great, and we’re going to keep them. They’re dedicated tobacconists.”
All the Scottish memorabilia is on sale, and that includes kilts, hats, jackets, and jewelry. The shop will also undergo a renovation, and Pesh anticipates closing for only a week to do some of the major work in January of February. Once refurbished, the shop will have a lounge atmosphere, with couches and a television.
New Digs
“We’re going to do a complete refurbishment with upgrades, and that means new paint, a new floor and walls, and a new product mix,” Pesh said.
Founded in 1971, Old Virginia Tobacco has six other locations, and is a member of the Tobacconists Association of America, which entitles it to special cigars from such celebrated brands as Arturo Fuente and Padron.
Dan Geller owned the shop for more than 30 years, and merged it with an existing Scottish Merchant business. Now, all Scottish clan and jewelry items are on sale, and that includes kilts and jackets.
John Pann has worked at the shop for several years, and said he’s looking forward to the renovations. “It’s a great place to work,” Pann said. “From what I understand, it’s going to look like the other Virginia Tobacco Company stores. They’re pretty nice and they’re all over the area.”
