About Tampa Stogie Steve
Tampa Stogie Steve was born in Tampa, Florida, but his story truly begins in Ybor City — the historic “Cigar Capital of the World.”
Growing up in a city built on the cigar industry shaped his appreciation for the craft from an early age.
Some of his earliest memories are of spending afternoons after elementary school at the Italian Club, where the air was filled with the aroma of fine cigars and the sound of good conversation over great whisky.
Cigars have always been part of Steve’s family history.
His grandfather served as President of the Italian Club for many years, helping preserve the traditions and culture of Tampa’s cigar community.
But the family’s connection to cigars goes back even further.
In the early 1900s, Steve’s great-grandfather founded Pullara and Lazzara Cigar Company, producing cigars for the growing population of cigar enthusiasts in Tampa. While the company was eventually sold, the passion for cigars that started generations ago never left the family—it simply found its way to Steve.
Over the years, Steve turned that passion into a career in the cigar industry. In 2006, while working with Gonzalez-Habano Cigars, he participated in one of the most memorable moments in Tampa cigar history—rolling the World’s Longest Cigar during the Cigar Heritage Festival. The event celebrated Tampa’s cigar legacy and brought together manufacturers, rollers, and enthusiasts from across the industry.
Steve has also held leadership roles throughout his career, including serving as National Sales Manager for Gonzalez-Habano Cigars, Don Gonzalez Cigars, and Pride Cigars. His experience working directly with manufacturers gave him a deep understanding of the cigar business—from blending and production to distribution and the relationships that make the industry unique.
For a time, Steve also co-owned LTT Cigars, further expanding his hands-on involvement in the cigar world.
Today, through Tampa Stogie Steve, he shares his knowledge, experiences, and passion with fellow cigar enthusiasts. His goal is simple: to provide honest insight into the cigar manufacturers, the stories behind the brands, and the traditions that continue to shape the cigar industry.
For Steve, cigars are more than just a hobby—they are part of his heritage, his community, and a lifelong journey rooted in the historic streets of Ybor City.
