Recent there has been controversy about the Shop and a very nice lady named Jennifer Ketner came to our defense with the following letter to the Editor of the Tideland News. Anyone who has ever visited the Shop and with the Denizens would say she hit the nail on the head.
These Smokers add quality of life...................................
To the editor:
In response to the letter "Family fun smoked out" in the March 7 Tideland News, I have to say it is I who felt assaulted after reading such garbage.
As a downtown resident of the Port O'Swansborough, I consider the storefronts and their owners my home and extended family. While I am not a cigar smoker, I've come to enjoy the family atmosphere the Cigar Shoppe fosters in our quaint little town. And while we're on the subject, let's drop the "Cigar Shoppe" reference and call it George's - at least, that's what the "Friendly City By The Sea" residents call it. I challenge Ms Corkey to visit George's on any given afternoon(it doesn't even have to be a sunny one with nice temperatures) and she'll find a gathering of some of Swansboro's finest, even people who do not smoke those "offensive cigars", sitting around discussing the big news of the day.
George's is not just a cigar shop, it's an
institution. You don't necessarily go there to smoke or buy a cigar, but to be around people- people who are friendly and glad to see you. It's where you'd go to let a crowd of people know your dog's been lost or, better yet, that you found a dog and to "help get the word out." It's a place where in June of last, George and 20 plus of his "regulars" got together to organize a liver transplant benefit for one of Swansboro's natives, Butch Webb. The benefit raised over $12,000 in a single day. Yep, that's what that "establishment behind the pavilion " is good for!
Family atmosphere? I don't know of another place in Swansboro where you can have an impromptu pig pickin' and invite half the town and have most of them show up with friends and with a covered dish! What's more FAMiliar than that?
I also don't know who the particulars of the little boy was practicing on his skateboard while Ms. Corkey was being assaulted, however if he was in fact one of George's patrons' children, I can tell you they brought the child along simply because that little block of town is just about the safest place on the planet to bring your family. Would she have preferred the patron step into a smoke-free bar and let the child play on NC 24? Would that have been a little less offensive to her?
I must admit when I began to write this letter it was because I was angry and, dare I say, "offended" by the comments made by Ms. Corkey, But as I put this down on paper I almost feel sorry for this person. You see, Swansboro is itself a land full of misfits and we all like it that way. We love and enjoy each other's quirks, talents and shortcomings. I don't know that this person has ever embraced aanything but the very "hot air" she exudes.
My husband once said, "A lot of people love Swansboro becaause of its location, because of its views, but they're missing the real attraction of Swansboro - its people!" They are what make this lively little town such a great place to visit and, if your fortunate enough, to live!
To close, I challenge Ms. Corkey to pause, take a deep breath of the aromatic downtown Swansboro air - perhaps it will help stifle the smokestack she is unleasing on us.
I realize my letter may not be politically correct and at times might even be grammatically incrorrect. Believe me, it was all meant with the best intentions....that's what being the "Friendly City by the Sea" will get ya!
Jennifer Ketner...
I can not add anything to this letter except.....
WELL DONE AND THANK YOU!!!!!!!
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