Smoke and Oak takes home Small Business of the Year Award
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“On 9/18/21, a little over a year ago, Courtney Crowson and his wife April, took a chance and opened a new and unique venture in Uptown Lexington called the Smoke & Oak Premium Bourbon & Cigar Lounge. Which, when you think about it for a moment, doesn’t necessarily fit how most people view Lexington, NC from an entertainment venue perspective. But that didn’t deter them.
In a relatively short period of time, they have grown to the point that they have almost 2500 members. Courtney and April had a vision that could see past the size of the city, and the already existing entertainment venues, and take a leap of faith that Lexington was ready for and would embrace this type of establishment. A business that you would normally only find in much larger cities. And the atmosphere inside is one of sit down in a nice leather chair – have a premium cocktail, smoke a cigar and relax! Their Bourbon inventory consist of 175 unique whiskeys and 50 different cigar selections. They also carry GMBH beer, RayLen wine and have a rotating cocktail selection.
From the very beginning, they have been extremely active in the community with non-profit fundraiser activities centered around the focus of their business – Premium Bourbon & Cigars. To that end they have created events with signature cocktails to help raise money for organizations like United Way, Cancer Services, and Lexington Live! Part of that has been a selected day where 10% of the profits goes to the Charity with the signature cocktail being offered all month long.
Over a very short period of time, they have become a fixture in the Community for all the right reasons and on top of all that, Courtney, April and the team are just really nice people who care about the community they live in and serve. And for everything I have just listed, the Smoke and Oak Premium Bourbon & Cigar Lounge is the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Small Business of the Year Award winner!”
Joe Wallace
President and CEO
Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce
