J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
America's Oldest Family Owned Premium Cigar Maker.
J.C. Newman has produced cigars for over 112 years!
Out lasting over 40,000 American cigar manufacturers from 1895. Mr. Newman at 20 years of age created some cigar tables from old boards and borrowed $50 to buy tobacco. A local grocery store liked the cigars and ordered 500. The start of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. had begun. The first cigar was called the ABC cigar.
In 5 years Mr. Newman grew the company to over 75 employees and was rapidly becoming the number 1 cigar producer. In 1916 the company needed to expand to two factories to keep up with demand. The factories were located in Marion and Lorain Ohio. The factories employed over 700 people. The number one cigar at that time was called the Judge Wright cigar.
The Great Depression was lurking around during 1927 and that took a toll on every cigar manufacturer closing all but two in the Cleveland area. J.C. Newman and Mendehlson Cigar Company. The two companies teamed up and created the M & N Cigar Manufacturers Inc.
In 1938 Mr. Newman bought out his partner and continued with his company.
In 1953 J.C. Newman moved the operation to Tampa Florida. Tampa was known as the "Cigar City" so it seemed like a perfect fit. Cuba shipped the tobacco to Tampa and Mr. Newman had top quality tobacco to roll his cigars.
In 1958 J.C. Newman purchased the already famous Cuesta Rey brand from the Cuesta family. Mr. Newman passed away later that year. The deep family tradition is carried on today with many family members upholding the J.C. quality and reputation.
Today there is even a factory in Esteli, Nicaragua
Take a look at the premium lines that are a real testament to the years of hard work and dedication that the J.C. Newman Co. has endured.
