Enjoying A Cigar With Rudy Giuliani

I have shared this story with dozens of customers and friends online. I've posted pics on Facebook and even "tweeted" the 140 word version of the story. Here's the full length version of how Mayor Rudy Giuliani wound up enjoying a cigar with the regulars at Leaf & Ale.

Wednesday, July 21st, 12:05PM

This is the day we have Rocky Patel in town for a big cigar promotion, scheduled to happen between 4-8pm. Also on this day, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in Knoxville for a speaking engagement at a huge motivational seminar. Some time mid-morning, my wife (who had gone to the seminar) sent me a text message with a picture of Giuliani onstage. A few minutes after noon, my cell phone rings and it's Rocky on the other end, and the conversation goes something like this:

Rocky: "Mike, this is Rocky. We'll be there at 1:00. I'm meeting Rudy Giuliani at your place and I didn't want it to be a complete surprise. I hope that's ok."
Me (waving my hands at several people in the store who were getting ready to leave): "Uh... sure! Absolutely! We'll get the place cleaned up a bit and get ready for you guys." After all, what else was I gonna say?

I send a reply back to my wife's text: "Rudy Giuliani will be HERE at 1:00!"

1:05pm

A rented Towne Car pulls up right in front of the door and out steps Mayor Giuliani. Right on time. He comes in with two security people, introduces himself and we do likewise. Five or 6 regulars who had previously been occupying chairs get up to introduce themselves as well. He asks me to show him around the humidor and recommend some cigars. He sees several that he has smoked before and I recommend a few that he hasn't tried yet. From that point on, he thought he was just another regular... just one of the guys hanging out at Leaf & Ale on a Wednesday afternoon killing some time before he has to catch a plane.

1:30pm

Rocky finally arrives and they exchange handshakes, pose for a few pictures with some of the customers, and sign a few more autographs. Rocky passes out some cigars to everyone and the conversation about all the worlds problems (and how to solve them) begins anew. He is supposed to leave at 1:30 to get to the airport by 2:00. His assistant makes a few calls to the proper authorities at the airport, and she is assured the Mayor will have no problems getting from his car to his plane in short order. Shortly after 2:00 and more pictures and autographs, Mr. Guiliani is back in the car (with burning cigar in hand) and off to the airport.

Postscript: I have to give a shout out to Lee Lavinson, my former Ashton Cigar sales rep. Lee now works at Holts Cigars in Philadelphia, where Mayor Giuliani frequents when he's in the City of Brotherly Love. Rudy mentioned that he was going to Tennessee and asked Lee if he could recommend a few stores. I was told that Lee specifically mentioned Leaf & Ale in Knoxville. Thanks, Lee!