September 16, 2012 (Mt. Juliet, TN) — Wilson County’s first full-service cigar and pipe store has opened in Mt. Juliet. Big Star Cigar Lounge is an upscale establishment that specializes in premium hand-rolled cigars, with an emphasis on boutique and hard-to-find cigars. Big Star’s walk-in humidor is the envy of many and features a selection of over 30 brands of high-end hand-rolled cigars. The store also offers a wide selection of premium briar pipes as well as cigar and pipe accessories including humidors, cutters, lighters and more.

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With flat-screen TV’s in two lounge areas, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and exceptional service, Big Star provides an unparalleled experience for every visitor.

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The founders of Big Star Cigar Lounge are two music industry veterans who share a passion for cigars. Scott Partridge moved to Nashville as a musician and traveled the road with such acts as Vern Gosdin before falling into a career in the cigar world as the General Manager of UPtown’s Smoke Shop in Nashville from 2007 through July of 2012. Tony Benken moved to Nashville after college and spent 20 years working as a record label executive with many of the top country music superstars before making his passion for cigars the path for the future. Big Star Cigar Lounge is the realization of both of their dreams and their opportunity to share their passion with fellow cigar lovers–in Middle Tennessee and beyond!

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“I live in Mt. Juliet and love this community” says Partridge. “I have known that there was a huge demand for this type of business in Wilson County.” Benken adds, “Big Star Cigar Lounge is a dream come true for me. I’ve wanted to run my own business for over 20 years now, and when Scott and I started talking about opening our own shop, it just seemed like the perfect time and perfect business partner.”

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.