Smoking is making a come back, but not in the way you may think.

On the corner of Patterson Street and East Hill Avenue is a small, quaint place where people can go to enjoy the finer things in life.

The Golden Leaf Cigar Cafe opened a month ago at 101-A S. Patterson St. and is the latest place in Valdosta where smokers can enjoy their habits.

“When I quit smoking cigarettes, I made a decision that when I smoked a cigar, I was going to sit and enjoy it,” Paul Cronin, owner of The Golden Leaf Cigar Cafe, said. “I’m not going to smoke 20 (cigars) a day like I did cigarettes.”

Cronin, who used to smoke up to three packs of Lucky Strikes a day, became interested in cigars after working in a cigar store that later became a cigar bar in Columbia, S.C.

But to Cronin, The Golden Leaf Cigar Cafe isn’t a bar — as the name claims, it’s more of a cafe.

“(It’s) a little more upscale,” Cronin said.

The small cafe has a lounge area in the front with comfortable chairs and sofas. Down the length of the cafe is a bar, with different gear showcased such as lighters and other various items. Besides serving cigars, The Golden Leaf Cigar Cafe also offers cappuccinos and other drinks, but as of now, no wine. Cronin hopes to be offering wine within the next month.

Also located inside the cafe is a library lounge area where smokers can sit and relax and a sports room with a huge flat-screen television to watch the latest sports event.

The cafe also has a huge walk-in-humidor that keeps the large collection of cigars at a precise temperature. The level of humidity that the cigars are kept greatly varies their taste.

Cronin said they have about 270 varieties of cigars, both domestic and foreign, but two seem to stand out as favorites among customers who come into the cafe.

“It’s running neck and neck between the Arturo Fuente and the Rocky Patel,” Cronin said. “I think it’s good taste (as to why they are so popular). Rocky makes one called the Edge and it presents (itself) in a box of 100 instead of the traditional box of 20 to 25. It’s a good-tasting, moderately price cigar. Fuente has a large line also and his more popular ones are the Chateau and the other ones in that line that are popular too.”

People’s tastes in cigars vary depending on their location.

“The tastes are different depending on where you go,” Cronin said. “In one area of the country (is different) and it really varies in different parts of the state. Below Macon is a totally different Georgia; the tastes are different. They are into more expensive cigars when you get closer to Atlanta.”

 Cronin says there a lot of other decisions to make when one gets ready to smoke a cigar.

“You make a decision when you smoke a cigar,” he said. “How long are you going to sit there and smoke it? How much of a cigar do you want to put in your mouth? Then (you decide) on the strength of it.

That’s why we make small, short cigars, long and thick ones, to satisfy the market.”

Besides getting their wine license soon, Cronin said that the cafe is planning several things including First Friday events. He plans on having manufacturer representatives during First Fridays and plans on having other specials.

The Golden Leaf Cigar Club

101-A S. Patterson St., Valdosta

Phone: (229) 245-9987

Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Closed Sunday

Facts about cigars

— The name cigar comes from Spanish version ‘cigarro.’

— The standard cigar takes up to one hour to smoke.

— Most cigar smokers smoke five to 10 of them per day.

— Cigar smokers do not inhale the smoke.