I recently took up smoking a pipe. I'm talking old-style tobacco pipes. I consulted Yelp to find a brick and mortar shop in Dallas and started calling around to cull out the head shops, cigarette outlets, and cigar shops that have stopped carrying pipe smoking supplies. (I wish Yelp were more helpful in this regard, but I may make my list public.) My call to this shop raised my hopes, and when I visited this morning I was not disappointed.
They carry a nice selection of premium tobacco in tins. Peterson's/Dunhill and Orlik are the two that I remember. However, tobacco taxes make online shopping more economical, as Paul, the sales associate, even pointed out. In addition, though, they have nicely priced house blends in bulk - about 20 of them! I bought a half ounce each of four of these and can't wait to try them.
I believe that you would be better off shopping here than online if you are looking for a nice new pipe (alas, no estate pipes here). They had a good selection of Petersons, Savinellis, and more. I got reverse sticker shock when I saw how affordable a beautiful Danish style freehand was. Because I had just received some pipes for my birthday I limited myself to buying my very first Missouri Meerschaum corncob.
Being more of a cigar guy, Paul's knowledge of pipes was limited, but he was extremely helpful, and I had a great experience. I look forward to going back and talking to the owner sometime. read more