The Davidoff Flagship Mother Store in Geneva reopens with a new look
Basel/Geneva, Switzerland, March 2015 – Cigar lovers will soon be able to indulge in a completely unique and pleasurable experience in the heart of Geneva: The original Davidoff Flagship Store on Rue de Rive 2 has been revamped in accordance with the new globally standardized design concept “Davidoff of Geneva – since 1911”, and is reopening its doors on March 24, 2015.
“We are proud to celebrate the reopening of our mother store here in Geneva in this particular year, which marks the 140th anniversary of Oettinger Davidoff AG. What makes the opening all the more special is, that this shop, founded in 1911, is the true mother place of the ‘Davidoff of Geneva’ Experience which significantly shaped our company. Now is also the perfect time to honor Dr. Ernst Schneider and Zino Davidoff. In 1970, Dr. Ernst Schneider took over Zino Davidoff’s shop, and the transaction between these two visionaries founded the starting point for our global brand Davidoff,“ said Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, CEO and member of the Board of Oettinger Davidoff AG. “A brand that connects people all around the world. A brand that fills the unforgettable moments in life with the joy and pleasure of elegance and beauty. A brand that embraces our philosophy of ‘Time Beautifully Filled’.”
“The challenge in redesigning this unique cigar shop was to preserve its history but to continue our mission to delight and surprise our consumers worldwide by delivering unique brands and unrivalled retail experiences,” explains Thomas Mathys, Store Manager of the Geneva Davidoff Flagship Store. “The official opening on March 24, 2015 certainly belongs to those very special moments in life that merit taking the time to celebrate and enjoy the very best.”
The “Mother Store” boasts around 100 m2, which includes a 30 m2 walk-in humidor and a retail and accessories section covering some 70 m2. The humidor has been uniquely designed with a ceiling covered in real tobacco leaves, emulating a cigar production environment in the Dominican Republic.
The store’s exclusive interior design combines lush woods and natural materials in earthy tones that are reminiscent of the color of the cigars. Accentuated with shades of copper and adorned with a ”Light Forest“ chandelier (from Studio Ontwerpduo) at the entrance that recalls the tropical flowers of the Dominican Republic, this historical Flagship Store has been transformed into a retail space that is at once elegant, contemporary, and warm.
The new look and feel retells the Davidoff legacy and continues the tradition of creating an inspiring place where aficionados can find exceptionally crafted cigars and limited editions, including the Masterpiece Humidor Collection “Cave de Paille”, created by renowned French artist Lison de Caunes. It is also the first store in the world to display a holographic box – the first film will feature the Winston Churchill campaign.
The Davidoff Legacy
Henri Davidoff, who emigrated from Kiev to Switzerland at a time of political unrest, opened his first store in Geneva in 1911, laying the foundations for today’s worldwide network of 70 Davidoff Flagship Stores. Passionate about the cigar business, Henri’s son, Zino Davidoff, went to live in Central and South America for several years to deepen his knowledge and learn the trade from the ground up. In 1930, he returned to Switzerland where he expanded his father’s tobacco shop with a special cigar section and a new innovative humidor cellar that preserved the quality of cigars. The first of its kind, this cellar was the forerunner of today’s humidor.
Zino’s brilliant savoir-vivre impregnated all aspects of cigar craftsmanship and enjoyment, and the shop in Geneva soon became the world’s premier destination for exclusive cigars, including Cuban imports. Even during World War II, renowned politicians and celebrated personalities paid regular visits to Geneva to purchase their and preferred exclusive cigars from Zino Davidoff. He successfully managed his father’s business for over four decades.
In 1970, Zino Davidoff teamed up with his long-term friend Dr. Ernst Schneider and transformed the family business into the Oettinger Group, which subsequently led to the global recognition of the Davidoff brand.
Now, as always, Davidoff devotes precious time to tobacco in an unending quest to create the very finest cigars from the cultivation, drying, maturing and blending right up to the actual enjoyment. Zino Davidoff valued this time. The time needed to produce an extraordinary cigar. And, equally important, the time taken to enjoy a cigar. His pleasure in this was the starting point for the global brand of Davidoff, a brand that connects people all around the world. A brand that fills unforgettable moments in life with the joy and pleasure of class and beauty – “Time Beautifully Filled”.
About Oettinger Davidoff AG
The CHF 1.2 billion Oettinger Davidoff AG, with over 3,500 employees around the world, traces its roots back to 1875 and remains family-owned to this day, with two distinctly different businesses: one that is focused on FMCG distribution in the Swiss market and one dedicated to the core business of producing, marketing and retailing premium branded cigars, tobacco products and accessories. The premium branded cigar business includes Davidoff, AVO, Camacho, Cusano, Griffin’s, Private Stock, Zino and Zino Platinum. Oettinger Davidoff AG is anchored in a strong “crop-to-shop” philosophy, having pursued a vertical integration from the tobacco fields in the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua to the worldwide network of almost 70 Davidoff Flagship Stores.
