Date of visit: Labor day weekend, 2008
Welter's is in an interesting looking building on a downtown corner, but I was not prepared for what greeted me upon entry.
This was the filthiest pig-sty of a business I have ever seen. There were newspapers, magazines, clothing and junk stacked among the dirt and dust all over the main room. I would venture to guess that the place hadn't been cleaned in the last 20 years.
The humidor didn't fare any better, it was a dusty mess. I didn't see any indication of humidification devices or instruments. The selection was a collection of off-brands found at online retailers in bundles. There were some Altadis and General Cigar standards in there, but not many. Overall it was a poor selection. Out on the dust, rubble and spilled-soda covered front counter there was a retail-display type ""humidor"" with some unmarked cigars in it that the proprietor was really pushing.
The thing that really irritated me was that the proprietor followed me into the humidor, which was clearly visible from his outer-room easy chair because it was a glass wall. I indicated that I didn't need help, but he hovered. I selected a cigar, and gently squeezed it to see if i could determine the humidity condition, and he actually scolded me.
I did buy a cigar, an unmarked double-shade of unknown origin. It was dry, one-dimensional and the wrapper unraveled within the first 1/3.
Avoid this shop at all costs.
Cons: filthy, poor selection, no visible humidity control
more