SANTA MONICA—The Tinder Box will be closing its doors on Monday, May 15 after close to 90 years in business selling handcrafted pipes, high-end cigars and custom blended tobacco.
Santa Monica’s oldest tobacconist, Edward Kolpin Sr., died in April 2007, but his daughter-in-law, Jeanette Kolpin took over the establishment after his passing, the Santa Monica Daily Press reported. A construction crew removed the sign from the corner on Wilshire and Harvard Street on May 12. The sign was donated to the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale.
The Tinder Box opened in 1928, but it was not until 1973 that the company began to lease its name and sell as a franchise. The company celebrated its 81st anniversary in the Santa Monica region in October 2009. The establishment was originally known as Ed’s Pipe Shop. According to the Tinder Box website, their products are carefully created and chosen by experts who travel all around the world seeking merchandise that illustrates the company’s devotion to impeccable quality.
There are still stores in around 18 states, but the franchise has been sold. In 2012, Jeanette sold the property and negotiated a lease that lasted 5 years, which expired this month. All of the employees at the company have been there for at least 15 years or longer.
“Things change and nothing lasts forever,” Jeanette Koplin told the Santa Monica Daily Press.
“We believe our products offer the finest values available today.For example, we offer our Exclusive Frontmark Cigars. Simply, these cigars are delicious. For the pipe smoker, we feature many of our own Tinder Box Pipes designed and crafted by world renowned pipe makers exclusively for us. We are also justifiably proud of our Tinder Box Exclusive Custom Blended Tobaccos. Through our products, this is a business that has been built on utmost quality. We aim to satisfy the finer tastes and pleasures of each customer who crosses our threshold,” states the Tinder Box website.
Written By Staff
