United Cigar Stores
| Company type | Retail chain |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Cigars and related products) |
| Founded | 1901 in Syracuse, New York, United States |
| Founder | Charles A. Whelan, George J. Whelan |
| Headquarters | Syracuse , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Cigars, Mickey Mouse watches, shoe trees |
United Cigar Stores was a leading American retail chain specializing in cigars, which grew to nearly 3,000 outlets within its initial 25 years. Eventually, it became part of the enterprise that took over Marvel Comics and Magazine Management in 1968.
History
The business was established in 1901 by siblings Charles A. Whelan and George J. Whelan in Syracuse, New York, originally operating as a tobacco wholesale company before transitioning into retail. By 1926, the chain managed close to 3,000 locations. While initially concentrating on cigars, it broadened its merchandise range to include products such as Mickey Mouse watches and shoe trees. The chain acted as a representative of the Consolidated Tobacco Company, a tobacco trust overseeing major entities like the American Tobacco Company. Rivalry concluded in 1903 following a settlement agreement.
In August 1929, George Kenan and Frederick Kenan Morrow took ownership, also acquiring the related Whelan Drug chain founded by Charles Whelan’s descendants. The firm invested in real estate; however, during the Great Depression, its real estate division suffered heavy losses, causing the holding company to file for bankruptcy in September 1932. At that moment, United Cigar operated 975 cigar outlets and 219 drugstores, with the majority of its assets invested in property. The chain recovered and expanded to 1,300 stores by 1951.
Corporate progression
United Cigar Stores was incorporated into United Cigar-Whelan Stores Corp., later renamed United Whelan Corp. In 1962, it combined with three other firms to create Perfect Film & Chemical Corp., a company involved in film processing and mail-order sales of pharmaceuticals and vitamins. In 1968, it acquired publisher Martin Goodman, founder of Magazine Management Company, which owned Marvel Comics among other enterprises. The corporation adopted the name Cadence Industries Corporation in 1970 and was dissolved in 1986, divesting its Marvel Entertainment Group subsidiary to New World Pictures.