Iwan Ries and Company is a tobacconist located in Chicago, Illinois. One of the oldest family-owned tobacco companies in North America, the company traces its history back to E. Hoffman & Co, which was formed in 1857[1][2] and originally owned by Edward Hoffman. The current shop is located on the second floor at 19 Wabash Ave in downtown Chicago.[2]
 | |
| Founder | Edward Hoffman |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL |
| Website | iwanries |
History
editFollowing the Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871, the Sherman House hotel, where the E. Hoffman & Co. was based out of, was destroyed and rebuilt.[3] As business grew after the fire, Edward realized that he could not run the company alone and in 1891 he recruited his nephew, Iwan Ries to join him.[4] Iwan Ries and Co. is the oldest tobacconist in Chicago.[5][6]
Edward retired in 1898.[7] Iwan sold the manufacturing business and changed the store to Iwan Ries & Co.[8]
In 1968, the company purchased 19 S Wabash, built in 1881, where the store is located today. Also known as the Jewelers Building, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings designed by Adler & Sullivan.[2]
Three Star Tobacco, a private label pipe tobacco blend was developed in the 1950s by Iwan Ries & Co.[9]
Visitors can purchase day passes to the lounge to enjoy cigars either purchased from Iwan Ries and Co., or they can bring their own.[2]
In August 2017, The Blackstone hotel announced a partnership with Iwan Ries and Co., where hotel guests would have exclusive access to The Iwan Ries Lounge.[10]
Iwan Ries and Co. is currently managed by Kevin Levi.[3]
References
edit- ^ History of E. Hoffman Company
- ^ a b c d "Iwan Ries & Co: Chicago's Family Cigar Business". www.familybusinessmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
- ^ a b "'I think about our history as history, not as a pressure cooker'". Crain's Chicago Business. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Spector, Barbara. "Dueling Perspectives". Family Business Magazine.
- ^ Herald-Journal - Google News Archive Search
- ^ The Mason City Globe-Gazette › 24 December 1956 › Page 26 - Newspapers.com
- ^ Pappalardo, Thomas. "Ye Olde Cigar Shops". Cigar Aficionado. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ "History of Iwan Ries & Co. | Chicago's Pipe, Cigar & Tobacco Store | Iwan Ries & Co". www.iwanries.com. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ "Ries' Pipe Tobacco". www.tobaccopipes.com. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ "The Blackstone announces exclusive partnership with ChicagoÕs Iwan Ries & Co". Insights. 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2023-08-01.