Briar Blues Shutting Down

[captpat]

Yesterday I received notice that Michael Glukler was shutting down Briar Blues. I don't know Michael, other than to have purchased an assortment of pipes from him over the years, but in my experience, he was always stand-up and a man of integrity. Our hobby is a bit diminished every time something like this happens. Best of luck in the future Michael.

 

[proteus]

Yes that is too bad. This is a very small community and dare I say a dying art. Pipe smoking specifically not tobacco generally. I read a market report for tobacco industry through 2026 and there is huge growth potential. The growth comes from cigarettes and international. There is some growth in international across the board in terms of tobacco type for people to experience the American dream from newly affluent internationals. At least how I understand it. Its a $90b industry and expected to grow to about $100b to $115b depending on the report. I had considered getting my TTB, posting a bond, and hanging my shingle but for now I'll just give my blends to friends and family. Seems a lot more fun as a hobby than a business.

 

[ssjones]

I was saddened to receive this email. I had never met Mike, but exchanged emails with him. He is a great patron of the hobby.

 

[MattRVA]

Sad news for the pipe world for sure but I wish him the best.

 

[RobNYC]

I am very sad to hear that,

 

[tobakenist]

We are lucky in the UK that we have some great online Tobacconists, the nearest B&M is 30 miles south of me a doesn't stock many blends and only stocks a few Pipes, of course we are lucky to have great Blenders in Kendal, I do feel like it's the beginning of the end, not many of my generation smokes pipes and I'm 68 now, I only know of one pipe smoker locally and he has one pipe (a Falcon) and only smokes one blend, Condor, then there is a pipe collector who only collects rare Meerschaums and has never smoked a pipe in his life.

 

[The Clay King]

We are lucky in the UK that we have some great online Tobacconists, the nearest B&M is 30 miles south of me a doesn't stock many blends and only stocks a few Pipes, of course we are lucky to have great Blenders in Kendal, I do feel like it's the beginning of the end, not many of my generation smokes pipes and I'm 68 now, I only know of one pipe smoker locally and he has one pipe (a Falcon) and only smokes one blend, Condor, then there is a pipe collector who only collects rare Meerschaums and has never smoked a pipe in his life.

@tobakenist I'm 41 and I don't know many pipe smokers my age and younger. There's a young lad named James in Chesterfield who smokes pipes and I met a few clay pipe smoking re-enactors with the Sealed Knot, Redcoats & Revolutionaries etc. I gave one of the Sealed Knot re-enactors I met at the Battle of Nantwich last January (who normally smokes roll-ups) a clay pipe of baccy and said he really enjoyed it, getting into character!

 

[Milverton1868]

Sad news.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I hate to see it shut down. I bet it is even harder for pipe sellers with everyone dedicating so much of their pipe hobby money to tobacco instead of pipes.
I wish Mike the best.

 

[AroEnglish]

I hate to see it shut down. I bet it is even harder for pipe sellers with everyone dedicating so much of their pipe hobby money to tobacco instead of pipes.
I wish Mike the best.

Is it pretty clear that people are tending to spend more on tobacco over pipes? I had just assumed that most people spend on both.

 

[canucklehead]

Mike @briarblues is a fantastic guy, and a great asset to the pipe world. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

I wonder if my matches, coasters, and styrofoam peanuts will be collectibles now?

 

[mso489]

Businesses are always a gamble. The good ones go out of business as often as the not-so-good ones.

A couple I knew who built a successful business and eventually sold it for enough to retire in luxury quietly admitted that you could plan to try for success, but success always arrives unexpectedly and to some degree inexplicably.

 

[tbradsim1]

Very decent Man, enjoyed My time with him. Good luck in your future endeavors Mike!

 

[woodsroad]

.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Meet Mike at the Chicago pipe show a few years back. I'm guessing this is simply retirement, hope it's nothing more sinister. Really, really good guy very passionate about pipes and very genuine.

 

[lraisch]

I recall one time when I bought a pipe from Mike and he inadvertently sent me the wrong pipe.

Fortunately for me, the pipe he sent me was worth about 5 times the one I ordered. Unfortunately, I had to send it back.

Fortunately, the one I bought turned out to be a fantastic smoker!

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I saw that. I just hate it. Mike is great to do business with and I've gotten some really great pipes at great prices from him.
Godspeed on his journey in life.

 

[greysmoke]

I received that note, too, and was sorry to see it. Mike sold me this amazing, numbered Peterson. The gold plating is wearing off the sterling silver band, otherwise, it's flawless. It cost me -- I can't remember. But it was very affordable back then and today it's priceless. He didn't mention anything about whether he would continue the Briar Blues YouTube channel. Hopefully he will....

 

[warren99]

Sad to hear. Mike’s presence on the web will certainly be missed.

 

[kcghost]

Mike was a true credit to pipe smokers. A gentleman at all times who genuinely enjoyed sharing his knowledge if pipes.