TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Ybor has held the title of Cigar City for more than a century, a distinction earned through generations of expertise in hand-rolled cigars that have significantly contributed to the local economy. However, small cigar businesses now express concern that current economic challenges are putting this storied tradition at risk.
Tabanero Cigars, a staple in Tampa for 15 years, finds its legacy in jeopardy as its owner faces evaporating profit margins. To sustain the business, he has opted to move production overseas.
“As a small business operating as a cigar lounge for a long time, we had hoped for an economic turnaround or some form of external rescue, but that hasn’t materialized,” said owner Yanko Maceda.
Maceda said rising tariffs and inflation are threatening the core of his business. More than a decade of branding and loyal customers haven’t been enough to shield his shop from economic strain. He’s seen slowdowns before but says this one cut deeper.
“So, we tried to figure out how we can expose more of this to people, because that idea of waiting on the economy to turn around, I think that doesn’t work on a new age,” Yanko said.
Rather than wait for relief, Maceda said he moved part of his production to Nicaragua cutting costs where he could keep prices reasonable and doors open.
“We feel that we are starting all over again, all over again, with the difference that we have brand ourselves for the last 15 years, but when you look at the numbers, it’s like starting all over again,” said Maceda.
Maceda said they are doing what they can to stay in business. he said the current economy leaves no room for error.
