History

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In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, seven out of ten men smoked cigars. In fact, in 1904, Americans spent more money on cigars than on any other recreational product in the United States. Almost all of these cigars were rolled by hand in small shops or factories across the US.

In Green Bay, Wisconsin there was a robust labor union for cigar making. This union’s name was The Local 162. Green Bay was a major Midwest producer of cigars due to its proximity to the Great Lakes by way of the Fox River. One of the oldest cigar brands on the market from Green Bay was named, Ain’t They Lovely. The Ain’t They Lovely brand was sold throughout the state of Wisconsin, and as far down as the Chicago Land area. In fact, part of the original artwork on the boxes incorporates blue ribbon medals from the World’s Columbian Exposition, better known as the “World’s Fair” in 1893.

With the advent of tobacco rolling machines for cigars, a lot of the smaller shops closed their doors in the early twentieth century. Green Bay was a long standing hold out, and produced cigars into the 1960’s. After the Cuban trade embargo, good cigar tobacco was very difficult to find and the remaining shops closed down.

Being from Green Bay and understanding the history of the cigar business, we wanted to pay tribute to our area and its rich history. When we found and opened the original ‘Ain’t They Lovely’ box of cigars from the early 1900s, the gem of an idea was formed. We were going to bring back this iconic brand. Lovely Cigars was formed out of respect to the history of Green Bay, and the desire to bring people together through artisan tobacco.

Lovely Cigars

Enjoy Where You Are – Enjoy Who You’re With – Enjoy Every Moment