Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Nate King for the third installment of our recurring segment, “The State of Nate.” Nate has been making pipes since 2005 and holds an honorary Master of Pipes degree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club. He is also a member of the prestigious Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude. In this episode, Brian and Nate will talk about their time at the recent Chicago pipe show.

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Nate King Pipes Website

The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 714: Nate King first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 714: Nate King appeared first on BRIAR REPORT.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured guest is Jon David Cole, Owner and Tobacconist of The Country Squire in Jackson, Mississippi. After 55 years in its longtime home, The Country Squire is moving into a new standalone location featuring expanded shipping and blending operations, along with a full smoking and cocktail lounge. The grand opening festivities begin in two weeks with several days of events celebrating this major milestone. Activities include a ribbon cutting with Mayor John Horn on Tuesday, May 26, a shop blessing service on Thursday, May 28, a Pipe Night with Jeremy Reeves of Cornell & Diehl on Friday, May 29, and the official Grand Opening Day on Saturday, May 30, featuring Caldwell Cigars, live music, food trucks, and special presentations throughout the day. Brian and Jon David will talk about the move, the growth of The Country Squire, and what this exciting new chapter means for one of the most well-known tobacconists in the pipe community.  At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will answer a listener question on the dating and aging of tobacco.

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The Country Squire Website

The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 713: Jon David Cole first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

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Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we bring you a special episode from the 30th annual Chicago Pipe Show. Brian takes to the floor for a series of “man on the street” interviews, capturing spontaneous conversations with attendees, collectors, and artisans throughout the event. These impromptu interviews offer a candid look at the energy, camaraderie, and shared passion that define one of the premier gatherings in the pipe world, giving listeners a true sense of what makes the Chicago show such a standout experience. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will discuss his budget, shopping method, and purchases from the show.

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The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 712: Chicago Pipe Show Attendees first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 712: Chicago Pipe Show Attendees appeared first on BRIAR REPORT.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Shane Ireland of SmokingPipes.com / Laudisi Enterprises, Inc. A familiar guest who has joined us several times before, Shane is the Vice President of Retail for SmokingPipes.com and has been with the company for nearly 15 years, making him a well-known and respected voice in the pipe community. Brian and Shane will discuss past, present, and future trends in the hobby, offering insights from Shane’s extensive experience on the retail side and his close connection to the evolving tastes of pipe smokers. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will have a tobacco review of Cornell & Diehl’s Miskatonic Mixture.

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SmokingPipes.com

The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 711: Shane Ireland first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 711: Shane Ireland appeared first on BRIAR REPORT.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Lukus Denham of SmokeTales Comics. Lukus is a pipe collector with a deep appreciation for the hobby. SmokeTales Comics brings together pipes and storytelling, featuring 100% hand-drawn artwork paired with thoughtfully written stories inspired by real experiences from the community. The content is available digitally for free with new issues released every six weeks. Stories are inspired by submissions from the pipe community. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will have tobacco regulation news and a Vegas pipe show update that also includes tobacco regulation news.

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SmokeTales Comics IG
SmokeTales Comics Website

The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 710: Lukus Denham first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 710: Lukus Denham appeared first on BRIAR REPORT.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Steve “PipeStud” Fallon, a familiar guest who has joined us several times over the years. Steve runs one of the most popular consignment and auction businesses for estate pipes and vintage tobaccos, which he has operated since 2006. Brian and Steve will discuss past, present, and future trends in the hobby, drawing on Steve’s many years of experience in the marketplace. At the top of the show, we will have a coffee pairing segment with Bo Parker of Methodical Coffee.

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Pipe Stud’s Consignment Shop

The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 709: Steve Fallon first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

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Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Chris Dumoulin, one of the organizers of the Texas Pipe Show. Chris began smoking pipes in 2000, inspired by his grandfather and drawn to the ritual of the hobby. On tonight’s show, he’ll talk about his role with the Texas Pipe Show and what’s planned for this year’s event, taking place November 13–14, 2026, at The Oasis Bar and Grill in Midlothian, Texas. At the top of the show, we will have an Ask the Pipemaker segment with Jeff Gracik.

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Texas Pipe Show Website
Chris’ Instagram

The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 708: Chris Dumoulin first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 708: Chris Dumoulin appeared first on BRIAR REPORT.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Ron Smith, the artisan behind Ranz Freehands. Based in East Tennessee, Ron began crafting pipes after retirement, drawing on his background in sculpture and art to create distinctive freehand designs. Since starting around 2015, his work has emphasized individuality, finish, and smoking quality, blending traditional shapes with creative twists. A longtime pipe smoker, Ron continues to refine his craft by learning from other makers and exploring new techniques, producing pipes that are both artistic and approachable.  At the top of the show, Brian will discuss Virginia tobaccos.

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Ranz Pipes Website

The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 707: Ron Smith first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 707: Ron Smith appeared first on BRIAR REPORT.

The premium tobacco business is unlike just about any other retail industry. I spent a decade in the trade in the ’70s and ’80s, returned in the ’90s, and have been part of it ever since. Over that time, I’ve seen firsthand what makes each type of retailer unique.

Small, independent retailers – These are the hometown tobacco shops. What sets them apart is their flexibility. They can quickly adjust inventory, tailor events to their clientele, and adapt procedures with minimal friction. This is also where the highest level of customer service is often found, since owners and staff tend to know their customers personally. Special requests are treated as part of everyday business, making these shops ideal for more adventurous buyers.

Chain stores – These are far less common than they once were. The days when most metropolitan areas had a Tinderbox are largely gone. Their primary advantage is buying power. With tiered pricing from manufacturers and wholesalers, larger orders mean lower costs, and chains can spread inventory across multiple locations. Their weakness is rigidity. They typically maintain standardized product lines and are often unwilling—or unable—to tailor offerings or accommodate special orders. As the premium tobacco market has contracted, many of these stores have quietly disappeared.

Corporate online and mail-order retailers – These are the dominant players in the market today. Their scale allows them to buy in bulk and operate without the overhead of numerous physical locations. But customization is virtually nonexistent. Most don’t accommodate special orders, and there’s no opportunity for sampling. Their business models are highly structured, often limiting employees’ ability to tailor service to individuals. As manufacturing consolidates, their product range may narrow as well, since they tend to favor larger suppliers.

So which do I prefer? There’s no simple answer—each has its advantages and drawbacks.

When I worked in independent shops, I had the most creative freedom. If I needed space, equipment, or materials, it usually just required a conversation with the owner. Setting up a press for pipe tobacco or experimenting with new blends was straightforward. That freedom led directly to more creativity. The tradeoff, of course, was access—some components required jumping through hoops due to minimum orders and supplier restrictions.

Chain stores, by comparison, tend to be smaller and are often located in malls or strip centers. Many don’t allow in-store smoking, which makes sampling difficult. Space constraints can limit both product displays and the ability to create or blend on-site.

Working for a large corporate retailer presents a different set of challenges. Inventory depth is rarely an issue, and space is usually available for projects. But getting anything done often requires navigating layers of approval. Developing a new product can involve coordinating with design teams, pricing departments, and catalog or web teams—each with its own process and timeline.

Having worked in all three environments, I’ve come to appreciate the strengths and limitations of each. As a creative person, I found the independence and direct customer interaction of smaller shops the most rewarding. That connection often sparked new ideas and led to better products.

For consumers, each model offers something different:

• Independents provide flexibility, custom orders, and hands-on blending.
• Chains offer modest pricing advantages, but less adaptability.
• Large online retailers deliver scale and convenience, but little personalization.

After a brief hiatus, now that I’m back in the industry, I’m grateful to have experienced all sides of the business—including time in wholesale and manufacturing. It’s given me a perspective that only comes with time.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over nearly fifty years, it’s this: you can’t rely on nostalgia if you want to survive. This business demands flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to adapt to changing conditions. That’s what I’m focused on now—finding solutions to new challenges and enjoying the process along the way.

What will come of it? Time will tell—but adaptability has always been the key to survival in this business.

The post Three Types of Premium Tobacco Retailers—and What They Do Best first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

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Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Rick Newcombe, a well-known collector and a familiar voice to longtime listeners. Rick has authored several books on pipes and pipe collecting, and has been a frequent guest on the show over the years. On this episode, Brian and Rick will discuss trends in the hobby — exploring what has come and gone over time, and how the pipe world continues to evolve. At the top of the show we will have an Ask the Pipemaker segment with renowned pipe artisan Jeff Gracik.

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The Pipes Magazine Radio Show features interviews with pipe makers, tobacco blenders, pipe and tobacco aficionados, collectors, and more. Episodes air every Tuesday.

Our show is sponsored by SmokingPipes.com, Cornell & Diehl, Missouri Meerschaum, Savinelli Pipes and Tobaccos, Peterson Pipes and TinBids. Please give them some consideration when making your next pipe or tobacco purchase.

We hope you enjoy our 1-hour show produced just for you—the pipe smoker and collector.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 706: Rick Newcombe first appeared on PipesMagazine.com.

The post Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 706: Rick Newcombe appeared first on BRIAR REPORT.