When Blend first opened its doors in Downtown in 2016, an executive with the upscale cigar bar described Pittsburgh as a “great cigar town.” He wasn’t just blowing smoke.
Eight years after arriving, Blend’s business is smoking enough that it has decided to renew its lease for another five years in the 5,500-square-foot street level space in the historic Koppers Building.
The renewal comes at a good time for Downtown, where many of the headlines over the past two years have focused on high office vacancies, concerns about safety, and businesses relocating or moving out.
Blend will not be one of them. Despite some of the issues facing the city center, owner Corey Johnston said Tuesday that business has been anything but stale.
“The business has been great. It’s been a big success. We’ve enjoyed the hotel business. We’ve enjoyed the convention business. We’ve enjoyed the folks who work Downtown and who live Downtown,” he said.
And while the Golden Triangle has struggled to regain its footing in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Johnston believes it is taking steps in the right direction.
“We believe in Pittsburgh. The city has come back strong. There are a lot of exciting things going on Downtown,” he said. “We’re seeing that the offices are filling up again. People are coming back Downtown again.”
Mr. Johnston said Blend has a good location near the Omni William Penn Hotel, the Hotel Monaco, and the Drury Plaza Hotel. Although only a block from a troubled section of Smithfield Street, Blend has not experienced any issues or concerns, he said.
“I do see the city attempting to improve on Downtown safety,” he said. “It seems like in the last six months, it has improved tremendously.”
The luxury lounge, formally known as Blend Bar with Davidoff Cigars, spared little expense in 2016 when it moved in. It spent nearly $3 million remodeling the space. That included removing part of the building’s mezzanine level to create 25-foot-high ceilings.
That work revealed a steel beam bearing of the stamp of the Carnegie Steel Company that is now part of the decor. Blend also rescued marble pieces from a long gone Richard B. Mellon mansion in Squirrel Hill from a Minnesota salvage yard to place in the cigar bar.
In addition, it filled the space with leather chairs and sofas, flat-screen televisions, premium Davidoff cigars and associated brands, and high end spirits. Topping it off is a state-of-the-air ventilation system designed to prevent cigar smoke from lingering in the air — or on clothing.
“We feel that we have a good fit. There is nothing else in Downtown Pittsburgh that offers the experience of an upscale lounge,” Mr. Johnston said.
Rugby Realty, the owner of the Koppers Building, is more than happy to have and keep Blend, said Larry Walsh, chief operating officer and principal.
“Blend has been a fantastic amenity in the Koppers Building ... and we are thrilled to extend their occupancy for many more years to come,” he said.
Blend is one of two premium cigar bars in or near Downtown. The other is Burn by Rocky Patel on the North Shore.
After opening in 2016, Blend saw steady growth until COVID-19 hit. After a dismal 2020, it has seen business in Pittsburgh rebound to the point where it expects to be back to 2019 levels — its best year for revenues — this year or next.
The pandemic, Mr. Johnston said, actually was good for premium cigars overall, gathering mail order business from people confined to their homes. “It has not adjusted since. It continues to grow,” he said.
In fact, in 2023, the number of premium cigars imported into the U.S. from countries like the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua hit 467.6 million, a 0.7% increase over 2022.
“Cigars have become very popular, especially amongst women. It’s two hours of relaxation. It’s almost like a mini vacation. It’s an affordable luxury,” Mr. Johnston said.
Pittsburgh is only one of three locations for Blend cigar bars. The others are in Indianapolis, and the Woodlands, a master planned community near Houston, Texas. Mr. Johnston intends to open two more — another in the Houston area and one in Sarasota, Fla.
Blend also has been named the best cigar lounge in the world by one cigar publication. As the cigar bar continues to expand, Mr. Johnston sees Pittsburgh as an important player in its growth.
“Pittsburgh is key to our ongoing success,” he said.
— Mark Belko: mbelko@post-gazette.com.
First Published: July 3, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: July 4, 2024, 1:45 a.m.
