About the Store’s Founder

    The store’s success and loyal patronage are largely due to Greg Shabazian himself—his amiable personality, cigar expertise, eye for detail and good business sense. He has always been a quick study, using his aptitude for hands-on learning. Starting with his first paper route at age fourteen, he rapidly progressed to more and more challenging jobs.

    In his early 20’s Greg became an apprentice to a master electrician who smoked cigars every morning as they drove to work. Recalling the comforting aroma of his grandfather’s cigars, Greg began to savor the cigars his boss smoked. Then one day after work his boss offered him a cigar. Little did Greg know at the time, smoking that first cigar was his rite of passage for becoming a cigar afficianado.

    As Greg began to smoke more frequently, he visited many different cigar stores and lounges. At one exclusive cigar lounge an elder cigar aficionado took him under his wing, counseling him on the finer points of selecting, aging and smoking cigars. In addition, he introduced Greg to new social circle of prosperous cigar connoisseurs.

     By 1996 the popularity of cigars and cigar lounges was on the rise. Now a law enforcement officer, Greg’s interest and knowledge about cigars had grown. Soon after becoming a member of cigar lounge he was invited to become an investor and full partner in a chain of cigar shops in the Southern California area that he was a member of. In 1998 Greg and his partners obtained a controlling interest in of one of the store locations in Santa Monica.

Hollywood Smoke was born!