BOLD Cigar Bar and Lounge, a downtown Grand Rapids fixture at 144 E. Fulton St. near Jefferson Avenue SE, plans to close by the end of November after more than six years in business. The lounge has told customers its final day will land on or before Nov. 28, with the exact date hinging on how quickly its remaining cigar and drink inventory sells out.
WGRD reported BOLD's closure before Crain's Grand Rapids Business published its story. Per WGRD, the bar's final day will land on or before November 28th, with that exact date depending on how fast its remaining cigar and drink inventory sells out. BOLD has encouraged customers to stop by, enjoy their favorites, and help make the final weeks special, according to WOODTV.com.
A Pandemic-Era Opening That Almost Didn't Last
BOLD's story has always carried a dramatic backstory. Al Casimiro and his wife Caitlin, known as Kate, opened the lounge in 2020, outfitting it with new floors, new furniture, and a walk-in humidor. The bar's website recounts that the duo, along with a team of close friends and family members, created BOLD in just 42 days before it opened successfully on March 13, 2020.
That triumph was short-lived. According to BOLD Cigar Bar & Lounge, it was only two days later that the coronavirus pandemic forced the doors to close. The owners had described their hope for the space as a place for enjoying cigars, sharing drinks, relaxing, and connecting — a vision they managed to revive once pandemic restrictions eased.
Owners Thank the Community, Stay Quiet on Why
BOLD has declined to share why it is closing, as reported by WOOD TV8. What the owners have made clear is their gratitude: BOLD thanked the community for its support over the years and said customers became part of its identity.
In a social media post, the lounge also announced it is planning a goodbye party, though it has not announced a specific date for that farewell gathering. Kate Casimiro told WGRD they would announce a date soon for one last goodbye party, as reported by WGRD, leaving regulars watching for an update in the coming weeks.
Another Cigar Lounge Recently Opened Nearby
BOLD's closing comes as another cigar spot has just gotten underway in Grand Rapids. Patel's Cigar Lounge & Spirits held its soft opening in September on Bridge Street NW, as noted by WOOD TV8 — a separate business opening on the other side of downtown as BOLD winds down its run near Jefferson Avenue SE.
