Vigilant Inc. Gives D.C.’s Oldest Tobacconist a New Look

W. Curtis Draper, third oldest tobacconist in the U.S., made the best of a bad situation when they had to move out of the DC location where they had done business for 20 years. Their new location, next to the White House gift shop, is twice as spacious as the old store, and features Vigilant Inc.’s custom-designed mahogany millwork and cigar display cases – along with a walk-in cigar humidor.

All of the millwork and humidor display cases were manufactured by Vigilant Inc..Superior expertise in fine cabinetry and cigar storage made Vigilant Inc. a natural choice to manufacture the new store’s interior displays, counters, and cigar storage solutions. Vigilant’s designers worked with owner Matt Krimm and D.C.-based project designer and architect, Elizabeth Hafner from Collective Architecture, to create an impressive entrance and shopping space designed to be both inviting and comfortable.

Wood-and-glass display cabinets, constructed of Moabi mahogany, give the shop a “gentleman’s store” appearance. Spanish cedar shelving displays the desktop humidors and other premium cigar and pipe products. The cabinets are humidified with custom Guardian electronic humidification systems, and there is a walk-in humidor for storage of the extensive fine cigar collection. Stylish seating areas were added to accommodate up to ten shoppers, a luxury they couldn’t have in the smaller store.

W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist was founded in 1887 by William Curtis Draper. It is the oldest full service tobacconist in the District of Columbia and the third oldest in the United States. Draper offers a full array of cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco, and smoking accessories to a national clientele.

— By Vigilant Inc.

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