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A Conversation With Philip Wynne
The creator of Felipe Gregorio has been making cigars since 1990.
David Savona
From the Print Edition:
Kurt Russell, May/June 2006
(continued from page 3)
Q: Let's talk about your Miami factory. What inspired that?
A: When I moved down here [to Florida], I said to myself, "I'm an outsider." I'm
not Cuban, I'm not Latin. Since I'm in Miami, I need to identify myself as a
cigarmaker. What better way than to put myself right in Calle Ocho [the city's Cuban heart] and I can roll a blend right here.
When people come here, they can come to the shop and enjoy a cigar with me.
Q: When does it open?
A: [September.]
Q: This is an expensive proposition, isn't it?
A: It's near my house, I have a great spot with a covered walkway where people can
smoke, and I'm thinking of putting in a wine bar, so people can smoke a cigar, have
some wine and have a coffee.
Q: So you're putting down roots.
A: I'm settled. I'm not nervous anymore. I'm not worried. I just want to make a
good cigar and enjoy my life. And as long as I can pay the bills, I'm happy. I'm
not looking at this as a business to sell. Hopefully my kids can go into it and
grow it.
Photo by Eileen Escarda
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