Brad Winstead
Brad Winstead Brings His Passion For Cigars To Boca Raton
Brad Winstead was just out of college when he started in the cigar industry, working for a local cigar retailer in Charlotte, NC.
Nearly two decades later, Winstead, who calls Boca Raton home, heads up Casa de Montecristo Inc., a collection of premier cigar lounges and retail stores with 18 locations across the country, including one in Boca Raton.
Winstead worked his way up the corporate ladder, starting in sales and moving into marketing before he was asked in 2019 to take the helm of Casa de Montecristo, retail division of Tabacalera USA, a company known for U.S. cigar brands such as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta and H. Upmann.
“I bring to this business a deep understanding of the premium cigar industry, having worked both the branding and marketing sides,” says Winstead, whose past relationships with cigar brands and on-the-ground knowledge of what customers are looking for made him perfect for the job.
The last year hasn’t been easy for many retail businesses Winstead says, but it’s taught him to adapt and be nimble. When stores were forced to close during the pandemic, the company used the opportunity to refresh the Boca location, change the layout and focus on what customers desire: “a better assortment and product mix,” he says.
The lounge and cigar store also offer a wide range of wines and spirits. According to Winstead, the store is adding weekly events, including a Saturday night music series and Martini Mondays. They are now open mornings so adult cigar lovers can come in for a cappuccino to enjoy with their cigar.
Casa de Montecristo caters to a variety of adult consumers. “We want to be a place where you can come whether you are a cigar novice or aficionado,” says Winstead, noting that he’s promoting consumer education. The staff attends training known as “Tobacconist University” to become certified tobacconists and better serve customers.
“Our business is about relationships,” says Winstead. “We want to elevate the customer’s experience through best-in-class customer service and providing the highest quality product selection, all while building a community that is Casa.”
Casa de Montecristo is located at 2240 N.W. 19th St., Ste. 916, Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-613-6130 or visit casademontecristo.com.
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