Who’s Behind the Counter: Tasha McCabe at Slow Burns Cigar Shoppe and Smoking Lounge

Catonsville Patch:  How long have you been in business in Catonsville?

Tasha McCabe:  Slow Burns opened for business in November 2011.  But I wasn’t able to ditch my DC gig and finally come on full-time here until three weeks ago.  (Be sure to say that I’m laughing here.)  I was at the Department of Justice for ten years, and I was supposed to end with them and start here in August, but they kept extending my contract.

Patch:  How did you come to start a cigar business?

McCabe:  I started smoking cigars with an old boyfriend when I was 22 years old.  I’ve always wanted to take cigar smoking out of the pool halls and the bars and turn my passion into a business.  Customers are surprised to see a young, black woman behind the counter.  I bring something different; I’m friendly, upbeat, helpful; I like having conversations, and I smoke cigars!

Patch:  Why did you choose Catonsville?

McCabe:  My husband, Jon [McCabe] is a cigar aficionado, but he only had a small humidor in the old location [of House of Time].  When this building came into play, Jon and Brenda [McCabe] were willing to make this space in the back all mine, and it is perfect for the small cigar shop and lounge I’ve always had in mind.  And the whole family connection has made us a lot closer.

Patch:  What do you like about being in Catonsville?

McCabe:  I like that we’re in a historic district where we get foot traffic.  Customers come in, have a smoke, unwind, relax.  We love our customers here; we have cool conversations.  I also like the diversity of people.

Patch:  What’s a typical day like?

McCabe:  The first thing I do when I come in is check the humidor.  The humidity has to be perfect, and it’s very high maintenance.  Then, because I’m a neat freak, I go around and make sure that all the cigars are lined up perfectly in their boxes.  I know it sounds silly, but some of my customers have remarked that they like how it looks.  Our regular customers usually come in after 3:00.  Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days.

Patch:  Do you have a signature service or specialty thing you do?

McCabe:  The smoking lounge is the only one in Catonsville.  We provide water and coffee, and customers can bring in their own bottle.  We have a chess board, a flat screen TV; we even have a selection of vinyl and an old record player.  I want it to feel like you’re sitting in your living room, with the added bonus of being able to smoke.

Patch:  What’s one of the hardest things about your work?

McCabe:  That’s hard to say.  I love my job.  There really isn’t anything I would want to be different about this job, but maybe I’m just too new yet.  I’m working with my family every day and doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing.  That’s pretty cool.

Patch:  What are you proud of?

McCabe:  I’m proud that my husband afforded me the opportunity to do this.  Jon and I sit in here at the end of the day, and I say “Honey, can you believe we’re really doing this?”  I’m also proud of the shop.  I designed it and people are very complimentary.

Patch:  What’s your favorite thing about your work?

McCabe:  I love just sitting in the lounge with a customer, having a conversation, while on the clock.  That’s why this never feels like work!

Patch:  Do you have any specials or loyalty programs for customers?

McCabe:  Jon and I just decided to have a raffle for our customers for the Fourth of July parade.  We have this prime location, right on the corner where the parade makes its turn.  So we’re raffling off four tickets, and the winners will get reserved seats for the parade, and we’re going to wait on them hand and foot.

Patch:  What are you looking forward to?

McCabe:  I definitely want to grow the business.  I dream of having various locations.

Patch:  What is one thing you think is needed in the business community?

McCabe:  As business owners, we need to communicate more, to know more about what’s going on.  The more we can promote each other and the activities in the community, the better for our businesses.

Patch:  What's the best piece of advice that someone has given you when it comes to running a business? 

McCabe:  I’ve always been in customer service.  I know how to interact with all kinds of people, but I’ve never run a business.  Jon has been in business for twenty years, and he has guided me to see that I am the face of this business.  He says, “Just put on your smile and be yourself. Don’t stress over everything, just be you.”