New cigar bar in south adds level of sophistication

The Reserve Cigar and Wine Bar houses Lee County’s largest humidor in the cigar shop.

Area business professionals have a new place to network and socialize in south Fort Myers.

The Reserve Cigar and Wine Bar opened three months ago and cigar enthusiasts are beginning to enjoy the smokes and drinks.

“It’s a very upscale place. I wanted to make a place where people could sit, talk and do business,” said Patrick Leslie, 32, of south Fort Myers.

Leslie and his wife Laura opened the cigar bar after going out to eat and realizing that nothing stayed open later than area restaurants.

“There are a few upscale restaurants in the area but after you have dinner ‘where do you go?’” said Leslie, who employs more than 20 that serve drinks and sell cigars. “Fort Myers needed a place like this ... with a little touch of class and elegance.”

That level of sophistication is why Leslie decorated the bar with fine art, lush leather couches and bar stools.

“It brings an elegant touch and allows people who want to do business to have a place just for them,” said Leslie, about the bar that offers a membership package for those looking for more privacy. “Our service is top notch, too.”

The Reserve offers members a room that can only be accessed using a thumb print scanner. It has a private bar, flat screen TVs and couches.

“The memberships give them a special area, they get lockers, and it’s more private when members want to avoid the louder part of the bar,” Leslie said.

The 6,000-square-foot space also houses a cigar shop and Lee County’s biggest humidor, Leslie said.

“It provides a social atmosphere that is lacking in bars where mature people go,” said Jason Teeters, the general manager. “It’s enjoyable and the atmosphere is different.”

The difference is enhanced, Leslie said, when people walk into the bar’s liquor store that has its own private entrance.

“It’s starting to get busier and we are restocking the shelves often,” said Mike Metzgar, the liquor store manager, about the shop that sells mostly high-end liquors and 110 wines. “We carry everything you can think of in the high-end market and if we don’t have it, we special order, too.”

South Trail station’s renovation complete

The renovation of the South Trail Fire & Rescue Station 1 is complete and drivers on Crystal Drive are taking notice of the building that was once unsightly.

Firefighters and emergency personnel will be opening the station to the public on Jan. 5, 2008 at a ribbon cutting to celebrate the project’s completion.

“It was a challenge because we kept the station operational during the remodel but we were able to do it all,” said Donnie Laubheimer, the project manager of the remodel that took almost 8 months to complete. “That’s our busiest station and that was another issue but it all worked out.”

Completing the project meant turning a 1966 gas station that was overhauled in 1985 into a functional 2008 fire station complete with living quarters, parking spaces and a new community educational facility.

'It was challenging at best to get a nice plan that would allow us additional space and make a difference for our staff,” said Fire Chief William Lombardo about the project that includes 10 beds, a new truck bay and a workout room. “The new plan opened up some window space and now it’s not dark and dingy anymore.”

The $1.4 million project was paid for in a joint venture between the Fire Rescue department and Emergency Management Services who will also be housed at the station.

“It’s an asset to the community and now the appearance is what it should be after 30 years of service,” said Laubheimer, about the 5,530 square foot building. “It’s amazing to look at the old picture and see the transformation now.”

The transformation of the building also gave the department an opportunity to purchase an additional rescue truck and eventually add more staffing.

“We can provide a better service because when one engine is on call, another one is ready,” said Lombardo about the department that serves 60,000 residents district wide. “It’s really nice for our people to have a new facility because they service a very populous area.”