KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It could be the ultimate sign of sporting victories.
When the Kansas City Chiefs partied during Wednesday’s Super Bowl parade downtown, a local cigar maker made sure the players got a celebratory smoke for the occasion.
The smoke rolls freely from this smart business move. The Chiefs had a large crowd of thousands for that Grand Boulevard parade, and Maxx Krueger made sure his company’s cigars were ready for the ride.
Kansas City Cigar Company has heard pleas from Patrick Mahomes, who complained he didn’t have his victory cigar for his postgame celebration three weeks ago.
It was then that Krueger connected with the Chiefs players, taking his cigars to the Super Bowl locker room and, eventually, to the parade route on Wednesday.
“We knew they were going to win. We had to take them there. We can’t leave them without a cigar,” Krueger said.
Krueger said Wednesday security officials allowed him to deliver his cigars directly to the parade route buses. Chiefs players have even been spotted sharing some with fans along the parade route.
“They were already quite excited by the pre-parade activities. I was able to give them cigars. I gave them lighters and cookie cutters and said, ‘Guys, have fun. You earned it,” Krueger said.
Krueger and his brother-in-law, Kirk Lakebrink, rolled these cigars using a special blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The company works with growers in Central America and the Caribbean to purchase the leaves.
“For taking the piecemeal approach like we have to reach out to players and do everything possible,” Lakebrink said. “It’s a great achievement for us to put them in their hands.”
Krueger said KC Cigar mostly works for private events like parties and wedding receptions. Getting involved in a big parade, like the Super Bowl parade, could be a long-term business boost. It is certainly the pride of Kansas City that cannot be bought.
“Hopefully the awareness of that and people will say – I want some Chiefs cigars – some victory celebration cigars too,” Krueger said.
Learn more about Krueger’s cigars on the company’s website. Kansas City Cigar Company products can also be purchased at The Jewel Event Space and The Easy speakeasy on Admiral Boulevard.
