FXBG Neighbors Podcast
Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast
FXBG Neighbors Podcast
EP #89 Creating Smoke And Mirrors: An Inclusive Cigar Lounge In Downtown Fredericksburg
A quiet room can change how we connect. That’s the spark behind our conversation with Leanne, the voice and vision of Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge in downtown Fredericksburg—a grownup space with soft lighting, light jazz, and a heated, covered patio that invites you to slow down. We talk about why an adults-only lounge matters in a city full of great spots, and how thoughtful design choices can make a place feel both elevated and welcoming at the same time.
Leanne shares the family journey from Seattle to Fredericksburg and the decision to build the room they wanted but couldn’t find: zones for conversation, nooks for reading or remote work, premium cigars without the pretense, and a culture that meets newcomers with patience and good guidance. We unpack the biggest myths about cigar lounges—intimidating, exclusive, “for men only”—and replace them with a picture of diverse regulars, curious first-timers, and staff who ask simple questions to match people with the right cigar for their moment. You’ll hear how details like music volume, seating layout, and airflow turn smoking into a social ritual rather than a noisy scene.
We also dig into Leanne’s approach to building a local brand: start before perfect, trust your vision, and let relationships carry more weight than marketing hype. That philosophy shows up in everything from curated pairings to respectful service and events that feel organic. And when she’s not at the lounge, Leanne explores Fredericksburg’s wineries, distilleries, and restaurants, bringing back ideas that make the space better for the next visit.
If you’re curious about inclusive cigar culture, community-centered hospitality, and how to design an environment where adults can breathe, this conversation will hit home. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves local gems, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find the show.
Leanne Cola
Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge
hello@smcigarlounge.com
+1 540-818-2969
1411 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA, United States, Virginia
This is the Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Dori Stewart.
Speaker 2:Welcome back to another episode of the FXBG Neighbors Podcast, where we share the stories of our favorite local brands. I'm excited to introduce you to my guest today. We have Leanne Cola joining us, and she is with Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge. Leanne, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much. I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm excited to dive into this and learn more about you and your business. So let's start there. Share with us a little bit about Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge.
Speaker 1:Sure. Well, Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge is a relaxed, grown-up space in downtown Fredericksburg. It's where adults can unwind, enjoy premium cigars, catch a game on one of our large screen TVs, settle into one of our separate seating areas for conversation, or if you prefer to be alone and maybe read a book or catch up on work because we have Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi. We also have a beautiful patio space. It's covered and it has heat. So it's comfortable year-round. The atmosphere is smooth and unhurried. We have soft lighting, light jazz in the background, and it's a vibe that feels both elevated and welcoming. We've intentionally created a space where people can enjoy themselves, connect, and just breathe.
Speaker 2:Very cool. I love the concept so much, and it's something that is so needed, especially in the downtown Fredericksburg area. And I know I've I've heard from so many people how they love the idea of having a space that's adults only. You know, a lot of the wineries and breweries, sometimes there's a lot of kids running around, and people don't always want that vibe. So I love that you've created this cool adult vibe. So that's awesome. I love it. So tell me a little bit about you. I'd love to learn your background and your journey and how this business came about.
Speaker 1:So my husband and I, along with my brother and his wife, moved here from Seattle. Um, we moved to the Fredericksburg and King George area. And we really appreciated the character and the charm of Fredericksburg. And as we settled in, we realized that our personal style of uh socializing is more relaxed and very adult. And we wanted to enjoy like a calm, grown space and that you can really have conversation and unwind. So instead of trying to find a place that fit our vibe, we decided to create a space that we would like to come to. Um, and that's how smoke and mirrors it started as a reflection of how we like to gather and connect. And it's really been meaningful to see that this atmosphere that we created really resonated with so many other people too.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I love that. You found a need and you couldn't find it, so you created it on your own. I love that so much. So tell me, do you find that there are any myths or misconceptions about your business?
Speaker 1:Well, absolutely. I think that a lot of people, the biggest misconception is that cigar lounges are intimidating or exclusive, um, and that they're just for men, or that they're just for people that know a lot about cigars. And it's really quite the opposite here at Smoke and Mirrors. Our customers are incredibly diverse: men, women, couples, professionals, creatives, and people who are brand new to cigars. So we've worked really hard to create an environment where anyone who enjoys good conversation and good company can feel at home.
Speaker 2:I love that. That's awesome. So someone who knows nothing about cigars could come in and you could give them a suggestion and they could fit right in.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. That's the idea. And our customers will jump in and help out too.
Speaker 2:Oh, I love that. That's fun. I love it. So tell me, you clearly are working hard in your business. So when you're not working, what are you doing for fun?
Speaker 1:When I'm not working, um, I love exploring the other small businesses in the area. Fredericksburg has a lot to offer. The wineries, the distilleries, the restaurants that make Fredericksburg special. We also like traveling and bringing inspiration back home with us from other lounges and cultures that we experience. And when we're not doing that, well, we're usually with friends and family, sharing food, laughter, and of course, enjoying a good cigar.
Speaker 2:I love that. I love that. So many hidden gems in Fredericksburg. There's so much to explore.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:I love it. Okay, so if someone came to you and they also were um looking for something, they saw a need that wasn't being filled in the community, and they wanted to start their own business and they came to you and asked for advice, what would you tell them?
Speaker 1:Hmm. I'd say the biggest advice would be to um wait for everything to be perfect. Um, it's never going to be. Start with what you have. Uh trust your vision and grow as you go. Build relationships, community and connection will carry you further than any marketing strategy. That would be my biggest advice.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, such great advice. It's a connections can take you so far. I love it. What is something that you wish the listeners knew about Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge?
Speaker 1:That's sorry. No problem. Um okay. That smoke and mirrors just isn't just about cigars, it's about connection. People come here and build friendships, network and unwind, and just feel seen. Everything from the music to the seating layout, uh, to the covered and heated patio is very intentional. It's designed to let people know, slow down and enjoy themselves.
Speaker 2:I love that. So if the listeners want to come visit, if they want to connect with you, where can they find you?
Speaker 2:We love to have you visit. We're located at 1411 Princess Ann Street in downtown Fredericksburg. You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook and at smoke and at Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge. And we have a website which is www.smcigarlounge.com. Amazing, amazing. Leanne, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today and sharing Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge with us. We'll have to check it out.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much. Really appreciate it. It was fun being here.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker:Thank you for listening to the Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to FXBG NeighborsPodcast.com.