01/04/2026
This is what I would have published this week, if I still at the newspaper
By G. Michael Dobbs
As one of my 2036 promises to myself, every week I’m going to write the type of column I used to write for The Reminder. I miss doing it and I have a big enough ego to believe that some of the thousands of people who read my column for more than 23 years might enjoy seeing it again.
I will post it on my personal page as well as my podcast page.
Like the old column, I will focus much more on local and regional events than national.
Here goes.
I am in mourning for the loss of a business here in Springfield. The closing I’m referencing is neither of the two fine restaurants that decided to close its door. My wife and I patronized both, especially Del Ray.
No, I’m in mourning over the closing of Smokey Joe’s Cigar Lounge, which shut its doors after its New Year’s Party just days ago.
Although I do not know why the other establishments went under, I do know that Joe Hendrix simply wanted to retire. He and his wife Toni, who was the co-owner of the lounge, have been working on opposing schedules that allowed very little time to see one another.
I certainly understand.
Now some of you may have seen selfies I took at Smokey Joe’s since 2017 and believe it or not their publication not the product of a raging ego – heaven only knows there’s enough of them on-line.
I simply wanted to promote the business. It was a lot more than simply a bar and a place to smoke ci**rs.
What Joe and Toni did was to create a community. They were masters in hospitability. Whether you were a dues-paying member or an out-of-towner, everyone was warmly welcomed and made to feel comfortable.
Everyone went to Joe’s – young, old, men, women, black, white, Latinx and Asian. It was a meeting place. It was common ground. Hell, even an elected official or two came by to relax. Smokey Joe’s was one of the downtown businesses that actually saw visitors from MGM Springfield.
Joe and Toni used their space in the Mardi Gras building – now one of the candidates for the new Hampden County Court House – for musical performances, comedy nights and craft sales. Members could rent the lounge for special events as well. I had two book launch events there.
The lounge drew people from out-of-town, which was a plus in allowing people to discover downtown Springfield in a way they may not have done before.
Recently Jeromie Whalen, who is running for Congress against Richard Neal, came by after I invited him. He sat down with my cigar-smoking buddies and a spirited discussion arose. The members wanted to know what Whalen’s platform was like and in a causal and off-record manner they discussed it with him.
In fact, they were so pleased they asked me to invite Neal, which I did, but his schedule was filled.
To me this was the essence of the place. Anyone of legal age was welcomed. Anyone could meet people and over a beverage talk to them about anything.
In this region, it was unique.
There is a very nice place in Agawam, Cigar Room 2, and I understand Attorney Raipher Pellegrino is leading an effort to open a new lounge in Springfield. I will probably smoke at both. This kind of a venue will still exist here, which is great, but they won’t be Smokey Joe’s.
So, to Joe and Toni I hope this next chapter of your life is filled with rest, relaxation and doing whatever you want to do.
If you like this effort, please considering sharing it to a wider audience.
Copyright 2026
