Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Miller.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I spent over 20 years in the energy industry and had always wanted to open my own business, but what business to open? From my many business trips and client dinners, I always loved going to cigar lounges and dive bars. I love cigars and appreciate the nice furniture, decor, and “meet up with friends” feel of a cigar lounge, but I also like the music, vibe, and “meet new friends” of a dive bar.
Since Wise County didn’t have anything that checked both of these boxes (not many places do), I decided that’s what I’d shoot for. We consider The Chief “dive bar chic” as we have the music, lighting, and vibe of a dive bar, but the high quality cigars, full walk in humidor, decor, and virtue (for lack of a better term) of a premium cigar lounge.
For the name, I knew it had to be something personal that would also connect with people. Where I grew up in Oklahoma, my grandfather (Pee-Paw) owned Miller’s Western Wear. He had a cigar store Indian that was always in the store, kind of like our mascot. When my dad took over the store in the 80’s, he still had the Chief in there. Unfortunately, my dad went to prison for a non-violent cannabis offense, but it was the 80’s and that was a no-no, especially in Oklahoma. He lost the store, messed up his life a fair bit as any stint in prison can do to an man, and when he got out of prison, he had the Chief at his house.
In the early 90’s, he was busted yet again for a non-violent cannabis related charge. Since he was already a convicted felon, he knew he was going back to prison and made the unfortunate decision the night before his trial to end his own life rather than go back to prison.
When that happened, his “friends” took his albums, the Chief, and other personal belongings from his house before my Meema or I could get them.
The Chief was gone. Old Chief Woodenhead was no longer with his tribe. Decades passed and anytime I’d go into a cigar lounge, I’d see their cigar store Indian and think “I wish I had one of those”, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy one as I knew the Chief was out there somewhere.
A few years before I opened The Chief, the mom of a friend of mine reached out on Facebook to let me know my dad’s best friend and his wife were getting divorced and she had a bunch of my dad’s records. Would I like to get them? Absolutely! She also sent me a picture about some wooden Indian she thought was his, and when I got the picture, lo and behold, there’s The Chief!
I immediately headed up to Oklahoma to pick him up and bring him back to a Miller home where he belonged. When I had the idea for opening a lounge, it took all of a few minutes to realized “The Chief” was the name. To this day, Old Chief Woodenhead stands proudly and prominently over The Chief Cigar Lounge, in a Miller owned business exactly where he belongs.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having never owned my own business before, never mind a business that serves alcohol, the learning curve was pretty hard and pretty fast. You quickly realize not everyone handles their alcohol very well, and you have to navigate those waters very carefully. Cutting someone off is never fun (for anyone), but it’s a necessity in this business. Fortunately our clientele are overall quality people who know how to act like adults, and for those who aren’t, they realize this may not be the place for them.
If they don’t realize it, we have no issue letting them know where the door and road are. 😉
Learning the ins and outs of the cigar business was easy peasy compared to booze, and I’ve been very fortunate to have quality manufacturer partners who have helped along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Chief is the premium cigar lounge for all of Wise County and any travelers passing through. We have a fully stocked walk in humidor with your favorite sticks as well as many boutique manufacturers, all quality tested. Have a drink and stogie at our full bar (our Old Fashioned is far and away our most popular drink, for a reason), one of the many comfortable seats in the lounge, or enjoy the best patio view in Wise County, all with the coolest people around.
Make sure to connect on Instagram or Facebook for more details and events. Live music, Cut & Lights with cigar manufacturers, Poker Nights every Monday, private parties, and plenty more!
We’re not just “small business owners”, but family owned & operated. The only two employees are my and and me, with my wife stepping in and helping, probably more than she’d prefer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in divine providence and I trust in the Lord to make this a success, so long as I’m obedient to Him. We’ve had some missteps along the way, but “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God; who are called according to His purpose”.
The Chief is no exception and we’ll continue to trust in Him to grow the fantastic group of people into an even stronger tribe.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thechiefcigarlounge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechiefcigarlounge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/102327419564052
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-chief-cigar-lounge
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-chief-cigar-lounge-decatur?osq=the+chief+cigar+lounge
