A new chapter is now unfolding in the history of the Berlin-based cigar company StarkeZigarren, whose roots lie in Passau and Lübeck. Located less than two hours from Berlin, where the company is headquartered, this development follows a visit by the StarkeZigarren team to a long-established pipe shop in Leipzig during a sales tour in spring 2025. The company aims to preserve and continue this legacy. As of January 2, 2026, StarkeZigarren will officially take over the Leipzig store. Until its handover on December 30, 2025, the pipe shop attracted pipe clubs from across the entire region. The offering will be complemented by regular tastings, creating a place for connoisseurs that appeals to pipe enthusiasts, cigar lovers, and, ideally, spirits collectors alike. “The history and passion of the previous owner deeply impressed us,” explains Sebastian Gollas of StarkeZigarren. The new store will focus primarily on pipes and pipe tobacco, with cigars taking a secondary role. Leipzig, regarded as one of Germany’s most dynamic metropolitan areas with around 630,000 residents, offers the ideal environment for this. With the acquisition, StarkeZigarren expands its brick-and-mortar presence and sends a clear signal of continued growth in the premium segment. The traditional shop is centrally located near the university and Leipzig’s historic old town. The company will bring its many years of experience and expertise in premium cigars to the business without altering the shop’s traditional character. A careful renovation is planned for spring 2026, modernizing the store while preserving its distinctive character. A new highlight will be a small but refined pipe and cigar lounge, inviting customers to relax and sample products. “We see it as both a great responsibility and a unique opportunity to continue this life’s work and enrich it with our expertise in cigars,” the company stated. The existing house brands will remain, as will the popular pipe workshops. At the same time, the range of pipe tobaccos will be significantly expanded.