Not Just Blowing Smoke

It was five years ago that cigar connoisseur Darnell Ibn Jones first gave serious thought to realizing his dream.

In a world where most people can no longer smoke tobacco in-doors, the Newark native dreamed of a quiet, cozy place in his neighborhood where he could kick-back, enjoy good conversation and a tasty cigar without any concerns.

That dream became a reality last year when he began renovating the site of a former bodega and creating the home of the 6one9 Cigar Lounge.

Located at 285 South Orange Ave. in Newark's West Ward, Jones said the 6one9 will welcome a crowd of cigar lovers through its doors in June and will provide its members with some of today's most coveted stogies as well as a laid back environment in which to enjoy them.

"Whenever I want to enjoy a nice cigar, I used to have to go to places like Union or Montclair, so it'll be nice to have one right in my community," he said. "It's a place to be able to have peace of mind in a nice atmosphere, without having to stand outside of a bar."

A health inspector for the City of Newark, as well as a youth baseball and basketball coach, the 39-year-old Jones said he began searching for a site in the heart of Newark last summer. He said the down real estate market and determination provided him with the chance of a lifetime when a space became available.

Jones said he was drawn to the former convenience store on the corner of Littleton and South Orange avenues because of the choice location.

"I was looking in Newark downtown, but it was a little too expensive," he said. "But when I found this location, it looked good and it's near the hospital and not that far from downtown — so I think it's perfect."

Jones said he knows of two similar lounges in other wards in the city, but he was proud to open one in his neighborhood. He said it would be a nice place for professionals and other lovers of cigars to congregate and relax that's closer to the downtown area and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

Named after his last business venture, Jones said the lounge — in it's current state — is "not complete." Now adorned with beautiful hardwood floors, leather furniture, a large display case of fine cigars and a wall of personal humidors — the former store looks more like a huge living room than a bodega.

He said opening such an establishment will set a positive tone in the community, while cultivating a new space for cigar lovers in the area. 

"People have been coming by, looking in and wondering what is going on (in the new lounge)," he said. "I want to them to come in and not be able to believe they are in the middle of Newark."

Without the burden of a liquor license and no strict dress code, Jones said the laid-back atmosphere of his lounge will create a cool setting for local professional to relax and network.

Equipped with a range of smoke products ranging from $3 to as much as $25 for a single cigar, he said 6one9 will feature some of today's hottest brands, including the Nicaraguan-made Drew Estate Acid cigars to the more traditional brand of Daniel Marshall (DM) made since last century in the Dominican Republic and Honduras.

Paying member of the lounge can even keep their personal favorites stored in their personal humidor, where they'll stay fresh and ready for their next visit.

"Most people don't want to smoke around their kids," Jones said, not losing site of his trail-blazing effort. "Once people see it's a nice place and it has a nice atmosphere — they will come to support."

A fan of the darker cigars and especially the Acid, Jones gave a quick lesson in how to pick a flavorful cigar — for the amateurs.

He said tobacco is important, but the wrapper is the most crucial aspect of a vintage cigar. Jones said the darker cigars tend to be a little stronger in taste, while the medium-colored-wrapped smokes tend to be more on the mellow to mild side.

In fact, the mood of the patrons often will dictate what type of cigar will be enjoyed during a visit. He's hoping that during these down economic times, it will be a good place for people to unwind and puff away the troubles of the day.

"A lot of people are going through a real hard time right now, but this area's coming up," Jones said of his West Ward neighborhood. "This is something positive for the area. People see something positive and it motivates them to want to also do something positive."