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Jason Lee, owner of Broadway Cigar Co., enjoys a smoke outside his latest mobile cigar lounge in Sellwood.

(Harry Esteve/The Oregonian)

You're walking down the street, enjoying the spring sunshine and suddenly you're thinking, wouldn't a cigar taste fine right about now?

Right? Hey it works for rice bowls and burritos. Why not a Padron?

That's the idea behind Jason Lee's latest mobile cigar lounge, parked in a lot on Southeast 13th Avenue in the heart of Sellwood.

Lee, owner of Broadway Cigar Co. on Northeast 35th Avenue, says he now has five such carts in the Portland area.

"It just gives the community a place to relax, come in and buy a cigar," Lee says, puffing away at a sidewalk table in front of his cart. "And at the same time it's a low lower rent. We can be in a good location without spending a whole ton of money."

In addition to lighters and cigar cutters, the cart is well-stocked with high-end cheroots: the above-mentioned Padron, Romeo and Juliet, Nicaraguan and so forth.

The cart, situated among coffee shops, antique stores, an outdoor clothing outlet and lots of restaurants, is open limited hours and has yet to attract a big following. But no one's complaining, either, Lee said.

"The real story here is Jake Wicks," Lee said, thumbing in the direction of the cart's manager, working inside. "It's his first job ever."

-- Harry Esteve