Sip in Huntsville

Sip will operate on 111 Greene Street in Huntsville. The front of the building will be updated to include a larger, more stylish awning. (Lucy Berry | lberry@al.com)

Fine scotch, whiskey and cigars will be the cornerstone of a new business coming this summer to the old Times building in downtown Huntsville.

Ernest Harrell, a Selma native who is retiring soon after two decades with the U.S. Army, is an investor with Sip, a concept opening on 111 Greene Street near Below the Radar and Old Town Beer Exchange. He hopes the 2,300-square-foot space and front patio will complement, not compete, with other downtown offerings.

"Huntsville as you know is a town with a lot of different variety, a lot of people, a lot of different opportunities," he said. "And with that, scotches, whiskeys, cigars are a thing of interest to a lot of people. We found each other through mutual friends and we had the same type of idea about opening up a cigar bar type of concept here in the downtown area."

Unlike stores that only sell cigars, Sip will offer small plates from Below the Radar, a full-service bar, ventilated smoking lounge, and retail shop with cigars and related accessories. Work is underway on the former office to prepare for the grand opening in early July.

Vintage Cigar Lounge, formerly known as Vintage Wine & Cigars, recently added a tapas bar and restaurant to accompany its walk-in cigar humidor and lounge at Bridge Street Town Centre. There are other cigar shops throughout Madison County, but none in the heart of downtown Huntsville.

"You can find it on the Parkway, out on 72, or out on Bridge Street, but there's not a cigar room or a cigar bar concept actually in Huntsville until recently, much less in the downtown area," Harrell said. "I think it will fill a void."

Sip, modeled after Cigar & Fine Spirits in Auburn, will feature Below the Radar draft beer, bottled beers, craft cocktails and wine. Cigar & Fine Spirits will provide consulting services and help train employees before opening.

Harrell and other investors plan to install an advanced ventilation system inside the facility.

"I think Huntsville's done a great job with the downtown area and I think the growth builds upon itself," he said. "The more people that come into downtown, then the better off it becomes."