About Us
Our Timeline
First Idea
In our minds, we we've prepared since 2011
For the better part of a decade, while we sat in the backyard and dreamt what our vision of a cigar lounge would be, we did nothing but dreaming. It felt like that project car "we would finish one day," but never actually did.
One fateful night, on May 11, 2011 - the Frakesboys sat in the hot tub and smoked a cigar, when one of us (not sure who), finally said "Let's do this."
And everyone knew what that meant.
Hands On
We drug our feet for years, but then...
Co-Owner of ICC and key catalyst, Beglee, decided she had heard enough of us partially planning the lounge.
She stuck us on a place to Nicaragua to learn from seed to stick. We learned everything we could, including the most valuable thing: don't eat the special burger sauce in Estelí.
When we got home from intense food poisoning and countless fermentation rooms, yet still loved it. We knew. This was our future.
We're Open
We finally cut the ribbon
After what felt like a decade of fighting anti-smoking regulations overreach, we pulled off the construction of our first little baby.
We had an idea what we would could predict. Long hours, learning from mistakes, and rewarding experiences.
We didn't plan on one thing: the people we would meet and the relationships we would forge. Once we understood there was something special brewing, we lit the match even further and took off full speed.
World's First
Welcome to the Atabey Private Lounge
As our first of a few "World's First" projects, we used the COVID lockdown phase to reimagine what our private membership would look like. On October 17, 2020, we reopened with a party worthy of 6ft distancing (that was totally ignored).
That's when Nelson Alfonso, Owner of Selected Tobacco, stepped in to partner in becoming the first of its kind Private Member lounge and affiliated membership level.
We welcomed the night with a black tie casino masquerade, too much champagne, and the finest cigars on the planet.
Punching Holes
Pick up shop, or expand through the walls?
In 2023, we were faced with a space problem, We were maxed out in capacity terms. The question is, do we construct a freestanding location to include a bar, or try a hostile takeover on our neighbors?
No hostile takeover necessary as our neighbors picked up and left us with an opportunity. We wasted no time to punch holes through the wall and dream up the expansion, including another "World's First" - Fuselage Parlor & Kitchen, a Principle Cocktail Lounge right here at ICC.
Surrounded by friends and family, with Darren Cioffi (Principle Cigars) - we opened the doors and stepped into our next phase.
Awarded
First ever PCA national award winners for "Best Cigar Lounge"
Just as we opened our expansion, we flew out to the annual trade show in Las Vegas.
A huge part of it for us was we were nominated in a national competition against thousands of other US cigar retailers.
When the moment came, the winner for the 2024 Best Cigar lounge was: "From Frisco, TX, Industrial Cigar Co."
We stood on stage with great honor and humility, realizing we were bringing something home for ALL of us to share. Sometimes life gives you unexpected gifts, this was one we will never forget.
Busted: The Story that Sparked it All
It's a story we've told at least a thousand times. The story of the time when the Frakes boys found out their dad was cooler than they thought and their future was already set up with long ashes lining the road.
Meet the Family
When we say we're a family business, we mean we're all in and committed to running this business just as we are welcoming you into our home.
Beglee Frakes
Our Chief WOW officer, Beglee "Queen B" is what takes our lounge and events over the top. Beglee only knows one speed, and when you interact with anything she has dreamt up, you'll never forget it.
Alejandra Frakes
Our key creative. Alejandra "Ale" married into the Frakes family in 2014, and left her world in Guadalajara, MX to risk it all with the Frakes. When you step into the lounge the first time, it's common to pick out how classy and beautiful the lounge design and architecture is. This is the artistry of Ale. If you can touch it, feel it, or interact with it, it's her creation.
Brandon Frakes
Our quarterback in the business. Brand is the Integrator of the team, often behind the scenes and in front of the camera in our marketing. Even though he's the only brother with hair (for now), and also the smallest at a slender 6'4", don't be fooled - he's actually the oldest.
Dave 'Pops' Frakes
Our Visionary and reason why most of our guests to return. Our challenge to you: sit with Pops for an hour and try not to learn more about cigars than the previous 20 years.
Andrew Frakes
Professional golfer turned Membership Director. Andrew changed his college studies to Pro Golf Management specifically because he knew it would teach the details of top tier hospitality. He has brought that to the business, and boast the flex that he's the only family member in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Nathan Frakes
Nate has forgotten more about cigars than most of us will ever know. If you head into the lounge on any given day, Nate will most likely be the first person you will meet. He has a big stature, and an even bigger heart.
Have questions? Ask Nathan anything - he's always ready to help.
Our 3 Uniques
We're Hospitable Educators
It's not about good service, it's about providing true hospitality. And true hospitality is about educating your experience. From how it all works, to how a cigar can improve your experience.
We're Barrier Breakers
We get it, cigars are intimidating. But they shouldn't be. We are here to help guide you through your own cigar journey, based on the level where you are today.
We're a Family
What we hear every single day is "ICC is a family." It's a family we choose to grow with every day we step through the doors. You can trust those who are around you here.
We're an EOS Business
Our world changed when our EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) implementor, Daniel Himel, handed us a copy of traction. From that point forward, we adopted a life-changing operating system that connects our guests' experience with our owner's vision of the business, through our entire team's performance.