We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caesar Walker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Caesar, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Eight years ago, I began enjoying cigars during special occasions, appreciating not just the flavors but also the camaraderie and community that comes with it. A pivotal moment occurred at a motorcycle event with my friend Cnote, where I discovered a cigar trailer that ignited a vision for a cigar lounge of my own.
After discussing the idea with my wife, we decided to turn that vision into reality, even during the challenges posed by COVID-19. With the inventory being minimal to none here in Houston, we stumbled across a 30-foot trailer in Douglas, Georgia.
In the days leading up to our big trip to Georgia, we faced a series of unexpected challenges. Just the day before our departure, we found ourselves needing to book last-minute plane tickets to Atlanta. After arriving, we caught an Uber to grab breakfast at the infamous Atlanta Breakfast Club, then took an Uber to Maretta, GA to pick up a rental truck. From there we drove 5 hours to Douglas, GA where the trailer was.
After filling out the necessary paperwork, we learned that we could have gone directly through the manufacturer to customize our trailer as we envisioned. Nevertheless, we left feeling optimistic and excited.
That night, we spent a well-deserved rest at a hotel before embarking on the long drive back to Houston. I must commend my wife for her exceptional driving skills throughout the trip!
Upon our return, the real work began. We had to find the right places to cut the windows, install air conditioning units, and apply our logo to the exterior. After visiting several locations, we finally found a fantastic company that exceeded our expectations—a stroke of luck that made the journey worthwhile.
After finalizing the details like the color scheme, flooring, fireplace placement, and TV arrangements, we were ready to bring our vision to life. Our goal was to create a trailer that stands out, one that embodies a “grown and sexy” aesthetic—an inviting space that makes visitors say, “Wow!” We wanted to offer an experience unlike any other.
I truly believe that the elements we chose for the interior would resonate with our audience. Through extensive research and observation of existing trailers, I recognized the uniqueness of many, but I aimed to elevate that concept even further. We had to think outside the box and allow our creativity to flourish.
I’m proud to say that we have made significant progress toward achieving that vision. While there’s still work to be done, I feel confident that we are on the right path to creating a truly exceptional experience for our Houston cigar community.
Caesar, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Caesar Tyrone Walker IV, and I was born in Houston, Texas, on June 17, 1982. Growing up in a single-parent household, my mother, a dedicated teacher, raised me alongside my two siblings—an older brother and a younger sister—making me the quintessential middle child. My mother instilled in me a sense of responsibility from an early age, often allowing me to take on tasks typically reserved for the man of the house, like mowing the lawn and taking out the trash. I am deeply appreciative of her encouragement and the values she instilled in me, such as kindness, consideration, and generosity. These experiences shaped me into the man I am today.
My father hailed from the south side of Houston, and though I visited occasionally, those trips were significant. It was during these visits that I acquired my hands on skills, hard work and also riding horses, a passion that has stayed with me to this day. Life continued to unfold, and eventually, I met my wife, Ereka Walker, a turning point that brought new meaning to my life.
Before embracing the cigar industry, I occasionally smoked cigars myself, never imagining I would one day own a Cigar Mobile Lounge and a brick and mortar Cigar Lounge . For 18 years, I worked as an electrician, frequenting various lounges and establishments, where I always felt a sense of belonging. My love for people and the joy of social interaction naturally led me to the idea of creating a space where others could enjoy themselves too.
Fast forward to 2022: we launched our cigar trailer, designed to bring the lounge experience directly to our customers’ events—be it parties, retirements, or public events. Our mission has always been to enhance the cigar community and provide memorable experiences.
With the support of our amazing customers, we’ve now opened a brick-and-mortar in 2025 that offers an elegant atmosphere for smoking, relaxing, and enjoying great music. We are excited to bring a unique experience to Houston that leaves people saying “wow.” Our commitment to hard work and dedication drives us to create a place that people will want to visit again and again—because at the heart of everything we do, it’s all for the people.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
A pivotal moment in our journey occurred while searching for a brick-and-mortar location. We had a grand vision for our space and initially found a place that seemed promising. However, it turned out to be overwhelming for us at that time, leading us to lose interest in pursuing a physical location. After a year or two, we were presented with another opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar shop, but when that didn’t pan out, we prayed for guidance in finding a space that truly suited our needs.
We reached out to our realtor and expressed our readiness to resume the search. The first property she showed us didn’t align with our vision, so we requested more options. She then sent us three listings, and we found one in our desired area. Upon visiting, we realized it was everything we had envisioned and prayed for. This experience taught us to pivot from our initial grand plans to embrace a more intimate setting that truly resonates with our goals.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A pivotal moment in our journey occurred while searching for a brick-and-mortar location. We had a grand vision for our space and initially found a place that seemed promising. However, it turned out to be overwhelming for us at that time, leading us to lose interest in pursuing a physical location. After a year or two, we were presented with another opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar shop, but when that didn’t pan out, we prayed for guidance in finding a space that truly suited our needs.
We reached out to our realtor and expressed our readiness to resume the search. The first property she showed us didn’t align with our vision, so we requested more options. She then sent us three listings, and we found one in our desired area. Upon visiting, we realized it was everything we had envisioned and prayed for. This experience taught us to pivot from our initial grand plans to embrace a more intimate setting that truly resonates with our goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecigarboxhouston.com
- Instagram: the_cigar_box_houston
- Facebook: the cigar box houston
Image Credits
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