Story
The story of Lounge 611
Lounge 611 is inspired by the timeless elegance of the private smoking cars found rumbling across the country during the railroad boom.
“The Queen of Steam,” a Class J 4-8-4 steam locomotive was the inspiration for the naming and design of Lounge 611. Our owner grew up in Roanoke, VA where this engine was built in 1950. He has memories of visiting the VA Museum of Transportation as a boy and climbing up on the steps of the powerful steam engine.
With a passion for and experience in the premium cigar industry as well as the revitalization of Railroad Flats in Mechanicsburg, PA, we knew that the timing was right to launch Lounge 611.
I fell in love with premium cigars in the fall of 1998. One evening a friend called and asked if I wanted to have a cigar with him. I agreed and the two of us climbed on top of the press box of the soccer field on our college campus. My friend handed me an Ashton Churchill and sitting out under the stars that night a passion was lit along with that first cigar.
Over the next 25 years my love of premium cigars would grow; traveling to cigar shops throughout the country, attending special events with makers, and even a visit to Cuba.
During that time I developed relationships with many brand owners and manufacturers, working along side some of these brands to create photo and video content for their marketing campaigns.
And now, under the guidance of experienced colleagues and mentors, I am excited to bring Lounge 611 to life.
