magnificent barclay rex 1
- From: standux <standux@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:23:45 -0700
Magnificent Barclay Rex 1
This is not the story of some famous person but the story of
the second pipe to come into my life. On a warm June day 60 years ago
I took a walk to my favorite pipe shop on Maiden lane in NYC across
the street from where the world trade center would be built. I watched
the pipemaker in the window pick a block of Algerian briar and start
to create a new Barclay Rex pipe. At this time I owned one pipe my
pipe to die for a Kaywoodie drinkless Dublin that I had been smoking
for the last 3 years with my favorite tobacco Midldleton Cherry. As I
watched it take form I fell in love with it. I went inside and left a
deposit on this $75 pipe. The pipe was to have a saddle bit which I
had never tried
Please call 888-378-6222 for more. We carry a full line of pipes,
pipe tobacco, cigar and tobacco related products.
Please call 888-378-6222 for more. We carry a full line of pipes,
pipe tobacco, cigar and tobacco related products.
Barclay-Rex A Royal House Of TobaccoBy Mitya GoreIn 1910, Vincent
Nastri, a pipe maker from Salerno Italy, made a very bold move by
taking his craft one step further. He ventured into the world of
tobacco and almost a century later, his vision still thrives in
downtown Manhattan. The store was opened on Barclay and Church Street
and taking the cue "a dog is man's best friend", Nastri, with his
Great Dane Rex in tow, set out to create Barclay-Rex. This partnership
was a touching testimonial to Mr. Nastri's character as he was rarely
without his faithful companion Rex, who also served as an ingenious
way to advertise the store. The Great Dane wore an emblazoned blanket
with the name Barclay-Rex and drew the curious and potential
customer.Barclay-Rex developed a signature line of pipes that were
made of natural wood, with a light polish and was. Nastri did not care
for the use of varnishes or stains. It is undoubtedly the most
legendary name attached to the business and has withstood the
turbulent eras that followed the company's conception. By 1949,
Barclay-Rex moved to Maiden Lane (just 1 block from where the future
World Trade Center would be), under the guided care of Vincent Nastri
and his son Vincent Nastri II. Father and son thrived at this location
for 51 years, crafting beautiful pipes and making history. Until 1998,
Vincent Nastri II, could still be found turning a block of wood into a
work of art that would later be a pipe or repairing one for a customer
in the store. However, the torch would soon be handed down once again,
as Vincent Nastri III stepped into the world that he had grown up in.
Where so many others have failed and had to close their doors. Barclay-
Rex is now a veritable dynasty, boasting four Manhattan addresses,
1985 saw the unveiling of the second Barclay-Rex on 70 East 42nd
Street, opposite the famous Grand Central Station. Eleven years later,
the Nastri's realized the global preoccupation with cigars was on the
rise, and in 1997 the company's Midas touch was used to acquire their
third branch on 570 Lexington Avenue.In 1998 Vincent Nastri III staked
his claim on the ground floor of the World Financial Center. Nastri
states that "we had the chance to move into an area that looked
profitable, and I knew that my competitor would take the slot if I did
not act upon my business sense." This store was closed for about
thirteen months because of the attack of September 11th; Nastri with
eye towards the future rebuilt this store and reopened on Oct 14th,
2002 in the same spot.On May 1st of 2000, the fountain of youth was
finally discovered, at least for the Maiden Lane store. Nastri simply
moved his tobacco store to a new location and 75 Broad Street is now
the flagship of Barclay-Rex. Imagine a classic, mahogany paneled
library, with polished wood floors the color cherry oak, and you have
yet to grasp the plush elegance the 1600-square-foot store exudes.
Nastri commented, "the layout and design of the store is simply
beautiful. We have tried to convey an atmosphere that is calm and
relaxing for the customer."In the past, Manhattan has been labeled the
city that does not sleep and the hectic pace encourages its
inhabitants to seek places of refuge. This concept is not lost on
Nastri, as the Broad Street store features a luxurious lounge, where a
customer can sit, enjoy a leisurely smoke, have an espresso or
cappuccino and revel in another world. Not surprisingly, Manhattan has
also proven to be a fantastic "port" for the cigar industry. The vast
array of businesses, international and cultural events, tends to draw
a melting pot of customers. Naturally, competition is always a factor
in one of the world's largest cities. Yet Barclay-Rex is known to
provide a certain elevated level of customer service that exceeds the
expectations of the average buyer and earns the loyalty of regular
clients.Barclay-Rex still houses a long list of commercial pipes such
as the Dunhill, Castello, Radice and the Ashton. But the stores' own
line still seems to have carved a special niche for themselves among
buyers.Nastri remarks that the key ingredient to staying on top has
been their commitment to the client. We have our share of competitors
but we like to think that we offer the customer that added touch of
finesse and knowledge. Not everyone is shopping for price and we
believe that service is as important as the quality of the
product.Interestingly, the clientele that Barclay-Rex caters to vary
in age, but the thirty-plus crowd seems to have caught up to their
older, more experienced counterparts. The allure of the stogie has
attracted the blue-collar man to the Wall Street suit, so that it is
no longer confined to one particular echelon of society. Humorously,
Nastri admits having to give advice to those who have recently begun
their affiliation with cigars. "We try to educate the new smoker,
giving them an arena where they can feel at ease with a new brand or
try a recommended top shelf cigar. The Partagas or Macanudo is
probably a good place to start if you are a novice. In fact, for the
past decade, Barclay-Rex has proudly carried their brand of cigars
called B-Rex. The B-Rex cigars are made in Honduras. Nastri, an
aficionado himself, leans towards the full body of a Davidoff, Bahia
or an Ashton VSG, while his wife, JoAnn, tends to prefer the small,
flavored cigars such as the Tattiana's from Miami. Barclay-Rex offers
unlimited choices in cigars but there are certain brands that achieve
a higher status as Nastri himself affirms. "We have been a white label
Davidoff account holder since the product was introduced in the United
States ten years ago. In my opinion, they are one of the finest cigars
ever made and we really like to get behind the product."Barclay-Rex
has proven Darwin's theory on 'the survival of the fittest.' The
company has flourished and enjoys the slot allotted to the cräme de la
cräme. The Nastris' forge ahead into the 21st century with panache,
quiet grace and the singular mission to provide sterling service that
lends Barclay- Rex their air of royalty.For more information on
Barclay-Rex store locations please look in Locations page on this
website.
*You must be of legal age to purchase tobacco products! By ordering
from barclayrex.com.You are confirming that you are of legal age to
purchase tobacco products in your state.*WE MANUALLY VERIFY ALL CREDIT
CARD TRANSACTIONS.*Due to United States Laws & Regulations, tobacco
products are for users aged 18 years or older only.*We DO NOT sell
cigarettes through this web site.Home / About Us / FAQ / Cigar 101 /
Locations / Catalog / Contact Us / Cigar History / Ring GaugeOrdering
Info/ Newsletter / Policies / Privacy / Cigar Brands / Lighters /
Humidors Best viewed in Internet Explorer 6.0 & Netscape Navigator
7.2site designed and powered by: citimaps.com
*You must be of legal age to purchase tobacco products! By ordering
from barclayrex.com.You are confirming that you are of legal age to
purchase tobacco products in your state.*WE MANUALLY VERIFY ALL CREDIT
CARD TRANSACTIONS.*Due to United States Laws & Regulations, tobacco
products are for users aged 18 years or older only.*We DO NOT sell
cigarettes through this web site.Home / About Us / FAQ / Cigar 101 /
Locations / Catalog / Contact Us / Cigar History / Ring GaugeOrdering
Info/ Newsletter / Policies / Privacy / Cigar Brands / Lighters /
Humidors Best viewed in Internet Explorer 6.0 & Netscape Navigator
7.2site designed and powered by: citimaps.com
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