The oldest cigar shop in London is at 19 St James’s Street. And their story is one that survived two world wars, smoking bans, a merger, taxation, and a decline in smoking.
Their story begins in 1787 when the Lewis family started trading fine tobacco in London’s Covent Garden and opened a shop in the 1830s in St James’s Street. A few years later, James J Fox, an Irish company, opened a shop in Dublin and then one in St James Street in 1947.
In 1992, James J Fox acquired the Lewis’ tobacco business. This united two well-known names in the cigar industry as well as two histories.
Together, they are called James J. Fox.
The shop sells cuban cigars and new world cigars from brands like Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, Bolivar Tubos, Ramon Allones, La Gloria Cubana, Drew Estate, Joya De Nicaragua, Oliva, Padron, Davidoff, Luis Martinez, and La Flor Dominicana.
SERVICES
James J Fox provides several amenities. They have an indoor sampling lounge where you can sample your cigar purchases while sitting comfortably on a leather sofa or arm chairs. This experience comes with complimentary coffee and water.
They also offer cigar storage, valuation services, and vintage cigar purchasing.
In their basement, they have The Freddie Fox Museum. There, you can see a vast array of historic pieces and memorabilia, including the cigars and cigar cases owned by Sir Winston Churchill.
LOCATIONS
James J Fox has three locations. Their main location is on St James Street. Their second location is at Harrods. There, you can sample your favourite cigars in a state-of-the-art sampling lounge. The department is located next to the wine department and is managed by Mr Paul Bielby. Their third location is at Selfridge.
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