Cargo Hold

David Cooke

2024-02

My experience at this store was amazing, I had been thinking about getting into the pipe smoking hobby for a while and happened to come across this store while visiting Polsbo for the Viking fest. The Gentleman that attended me was Dough who I believe is the store owner, he has exceptional knowledge on everything pipe related and was able to guide me on the right choices. Needles to say I will definitely be going back.

Josh Maestas

2024-03

I do not like leaving unfavorable reviews, however the proprietor of this establishment is so vile that I feel compelled to warn any potential customers to look elsewhere. The individual that runs this shop has absolutely no respect for his customers and is completely out of line in the manner that he conducts himself. He is a stain on an otherwise very wonderful street. I cannot fathom how such an awful person even got into the business nor how he remains open. My family and I made the mistake of being lured into his shop and were screamed at for no apparent reason, due to my diminished hearing he then screamed at me again and looked like he might have a stroke. I was planning to purchase several high dollar items but after his needless outburst at my very well behaved children I took my business elsewhere on the street and had a much better experience. Please, listen to all the negative reviews, I can assure you they are not over exaggerated! This was a truly crazy individual who has absolutely zero respect for his clients.

Heidi Groothuis

2024-01

I’m not sure why so many reviews are so negative. The owner was not misogynistic at all to me; he helped me find a suitable cigar that was flavorful but not too strong. He also gave me a free cigar cutter. He’s very helpful and kind , definitely coming back

Alex Davidson

2022-05

I initially went in to the store to browse the cigar collection for my upcoming wedding but noticed the large selection of pipe tobacco. As a novice pipe smoker, the gentleman at the counter answered many of my questions and helped me tremendously. I ended up leaving with a tobacco sampler they already have put together, my first briar pipe, and a little beginners guide pamphlet about pipe smoking and tobacco. I’ll definitely be back for my tobacco in the future.

Wildcraft Rose

2023-07

Wonderful store, everything shiny and sparling, well arranged, very organized. I'm pretty sure there are treasures to be found here.

John Hoag

2023-07

Owner, Doug Owen, standoffish at first proved to be a gracious individual who taught me, patiently, about smoking a pipe. He is a fine teacher and an excellent tobacconist who also directed me to a store closer to me that has fine pipe tobacco. If you want to learn about pipe smoking and what cigars are good, this store is it and he's your go to person.

scott kirby

2023-11

Doug was extremely helpful. Initially came in to grab a cigar, they carry LFDs by the way, and struck up a conversation about wanting to try a pipe. His insight was helpful in picking a modestly priced briar and their house sampler definitely has given a good bit of tasting around a wide spectrum. This is definitely worth the stop if you are in Poulsbo or a short ferry ride away.

Denver Garcia

2023-06

One of the coolest locations in Poulsbo, and that's saying a lot. Great eclectic array of merchandise, mostly nautical themed. If you're into pipe smoking or interested in trying it this is THE place to go, the owner is an expert tobacconist and is very eager to help customers. Most local smoke shops only focus on cigars and you're lucky to find one that has some cheap pipes and bulk blends, but here you'll find a great selection of pipes for every budget and several tinned tobaccos in edition to house blends. Good selection of cigars too, when I was there they were selling LFD Andalusian Bulls.

Suzanne Zrodlo-Potts

2023-08

I was in this shop 2 months ago and really enjoyed the conversation with the older gentleman behind the counter. I asked many questions about some of the items, and he took the time to have a conversation. This was one time walking through Poulsbo without my dog, so I felt comfortable exploring the store for the 1st time. No dogs are allowed since the shop owner has a dog that's behind the counter who is not a happy camper with other dogs. People need to respect and ask first before just assuming they can touch, bring a dog in, or take photo.

Aaron Melton

2023-07

Doug Owen is a real historian, truly passionate and erudite on all things tobacco. I walked out of the store with the masterclass on pipes, and I thought I was pretty well versed in Peterson history. If you love tobacco, you need to make the trip to here. The pipe selection is perfection. If I lived nearby, I’d be destitute in a week! 😂

Xiao Chang

2023-08

The owner behind the desk is very rude to my kids. At first I thought he is just an Asian hater, after reading previous comments, he is rude to many customers. Now I know he is not Asian hater, he just like that, a stupid businessman!Good weather, good local people, good view here, but feel bad after visiting this store!

Brandon Christensen

2023-06

I don't know how many "rude man behind counter" reviews it takes to convince someone this store suffers from a pattern of unprofessional behavior, but here's mine. He was on some power trip with my 13-year old niece and scolded her for taking a photo of a compass at the front of the store.From the back of the store, behind his computer, he said "I don't mind if you take photos, but you need to ask permission". She was at the front of the store and didn't hear him. Because I was at the back of the store, we both thought he was talking to me. He spoke louder and scolded her: "Young lady, did you hear me? You need to ask permission from me before you take pictures in my store. It's common courtesy."She's a strong kid, so I shrugged at her and we left. But his tone and subtext align too neatly with the other negative experiences posted here. If you truly don't care that she takes photos, then what do you gain by berating a 13-year old girl into asking your permission, besides a power trip?Either way, this is something you should check before you open a public store and interact with all of the people that don't agree with you on what "common courtesy" is.Put up a "Please no photos" sign. Or greet people when they enter and tell them you require explicit obeisance before they take a photo. Or let it go, since you "don't care". There are better ways for a shopkeeper to interact with the public, including retirement, than to misdirect personal peeves on young teenage girls.

Todd Anderson

2023-05

This little shop is awesome, and the proprietor us a real gentleman. I smoke a pipe, and this shop is a pipe smoker's paradise. A wonderful supply of house blends by the ounce, a great selection of tinned tobaccos, and a wonderful selection of pipes - Savinelli, Peterson, Nording...some refurbished estate pipes, and a smattering of affordable choices, in briar and corncob. If you are a pipe enthusiast, do yourself a favor and make the trip.

Enrique Langmaack

2023-09

The man behind the counter, I presume it is the owner Doug Owen, is so rude. My kids and I were looking at the magnifying glasses and one of my kids picked up one of them with me making sure she was doing it with great care, but Mr Owen came out and was super rude with us. This was a bad experience for us.

Steve Williams

2023-11

I went in there and the owner was super nice. Tell your kids not to take stuff off the shelves. It’s not a shop for kids anyways.The guys nice. Don’t know what all the crying is about.

Taylor S

2023-05

I’ve been a customer here before, and made purchases. But I will NOT be returning ever again, and regret ever supporting this business.The owner has shown himself to be exceedingly rude, and callous.He yelled at a young woman who was taking a photo of his cigar assortments. There are no signs saying you cannot take photos. But he yelled at her for wanting to take a photo, yelling that it was common courtesy to ask before photographing—as well as several other choice, bitter words.Sir, they’re cigars, not classified documents.In this day and age, if you don’t want photos taken, then openly post signs saying so. “Excuse” that young lady for wanting to give the shop some free advertising.Maybe the next time he wants to bully and yell at a young woman who is hurting no one, and whose first language wasn’t even English, he should think twice!!!Myself, and the rest of the customers in the store cleared out as soon as we heard his verbal abuse, and discussed his rudeness just outside the store. Don’t spend your money here!The owner is not someone worth spending your money on!!!Edit: I just read other reviews saying that this owner is known to be rude and misogynistic towards female customers. This appears—unfortunately— to be just one more such incident.

Jen Abate

2023-08

There is never an excuse for treating people badly. Not as a business owner and especially not as a human being. It infuriates me that a young boy who is autistic and trans would be mocked and bullied because he is not what you consider to be normal. Normal is an opinion, not a set standard. I hope that one day the tables turn and someone will make you feel the way you made this sweet kid and his mom feel. You should be ashamed of yourself

Spushed

2023-05

I am writing this review in response to the apparent "astroturfing" (defined as a practice of preparing or disseminating a fake review that a reasonable consumer would believe to be a neutral, third-party testimonial.) going on against the Cargo Hold.My wife and I have been customers to the Cargo Hold for over 10 years. Not ONCE EVER have we've been the victim of or a witness to ANY rude or unprofessional behavior from the store owner or any of his employees!My wife and I first started our learning process of the pipe and cigar world here. I can't tell you how many questions we've asked and they never tired or appeared feigning interest in our desire for knowledge. As a matter of fact more often than not we were so overburdened with knowledge we had to change the subject just so we could digest it all. Everyone who we have seen work there has a satisfactory knowledge and they are all more than happy to share it.My wife, having asked her own questions over the years has never sensed any contempt or misogyny on any level. Knowing the store owner and the type of employees he hires it is plainly obvious that these string of bad reviews is an attempt to sabotage the good name of this establishment and we both will not stand for it!

Robert Kelly

2022-05

Amazing selection of cigars, I always grab a couple while visiting. The store employees are knowledgeable and ask what your personal preferences are, then make suggestions, which were spot on. Also, the ambiance and decor of the shop are nice. Would love to add some of their wares to my man cave!

Julie Eldridge

2019-05

Fantastic experience - my husband and I were visiting town, and dropped in to the Cargo Hold to look at some of the nautical items. Doug, the owner, was extremely knowledgable, and provided excellent information regarding the history of some of the items. He has an excellent selection of display items, and the traditional tobacco pipes are impressive. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in town, and will come back again soon, thanks to this fantastic example of a small-town shop.

Tommy

2022-05

Best selection of pipes I have seen anywhere. There is always something new to browse. Doug is always very kind and extremely knowledgeable on the products he sells. If there is one place I would recommend to anyone, it is this one.

Mallerlyn vazquez

2023-05

If i could give this place 0 stars i would, i had a horrible experience at this store. I walked in because i saw some old fashioned feather ink pens and was yelled at for bringing our service dog in the store. The owner had his own dog that was very aggressive and started lounging on our dog but yet he claims "no dogs allowed" and "i should ask permission next time before bringing in a dog at a store" the people that walked out behind us also commented on the rudeness of the employee. Avoid this place is possible!

Cricket

2022-05

The owner of this store does not serve women. We went in looking for a pipe today for my sister’s 21st birthday and he blatantly ignored us. We at first thought he was hard of hearing, but he promptly served a man that entered after us and told us to “get out of the way.” Give your business to other kind local businesses! There are many better choices in Poulsbo!

Anthony Adelizzi

2018-05

I made quite a detour on my spring break road trip to stop here, and I have to say, it exceeded my expectations. Reviews that say Doug has a “from the ground up” knowledge about fine tobacco and pipes are spot on. The owner is also pleasant to talk to. And the craziest thing about what an amazing pipe shop this is, is that the tobacco section only makes up about 25% of the store. It’s the area’s best pipe shop concealed in an overall badass nautically themed gift shop.

Mkm S

2019-05

First review ever of any kind posted, don't normally do this but felt like I needed to after my experience in the shop. Worst customer experience I've ever had at a retail shop. I have bought $600 clocks from the shop in the past and cigars on many occasions and a chess board. Looking to buy a pipe and some tobacco today after restoring my great aunts vintage lighter. After asking some questions about a green St. Patricks pipe the clerk rudely chastised me about my question "you smoke tobacco out of pipes" as if I'm looking to smoke something different. After I confronted him about the rude comment he kicked me out of the shop. 0 stars if I could. Never going back and recommending people to stay away. I work in retail as a career. Unfortunate experience for such a great town.

Frank Cole

2017-05

Saw the negative comment below from 2 years ago and thought that I should also give a review more current. I traveled up to the NW to visit a friend in January 2016 and he brought me to this little town and we stumbled across this place. The store was great, the people were very nice and very knowledgable. I am new to pipes and he explained what to look for and what to try, he didn't try selling me the most expensive pipe and let me have some sample tobacco. The nautical supplies in the store were great and he had a good selection of things to browse.

Danny Mc

2023-05

My go to for pipes and tobacco. I have many nautical items in house.

Ray Gach

2021-05

My wife and I decided on a quick day trip and selected Poulsbo. I just started to learn how to smoke a pipe and found this shop on the main street of town. I met Doug who was excited as I was that I found a new hobby to explore. Being a beginner, he walked me thru the different types of pipes and tobaccos, what I should look for, let me smell and hold a number of tobaccos and pipes. He was VERY knowledgeable and I will definitely be coming back to stock up on my stock of pipe supplies as I get more experienced. This 15 minute experience made the 1.5 hour drive well worth it.

Randem Greywaste

2013-05

I recently discovered Cargo Hold, and in the process, a pipesman of noteworthy character. Doug, the owner there, has an extensive knowledge of pipes and tobaccos, and after only three visits, has become my favorite tobacconist. His store is well-stocked with most anything a pipe smoker might need, and I would never hesitate to order anything he didn't have in stock, knowing full well that if he recommended it, it would be worth the wait.He is knowledgeable, helpful, and a wonderful man with whom to have a few minutes of conversation. Unlike so many tobacco store owners these days, he has genuine knowledge of pipe smoking from the ground up. If you've never smoked a pipe before, but are considering it, I highly recommend a visit to Cargo Hold, and a chat with Doug. He will happily provide you with such details, information and techniques to make your first pipe a truly memorable experience. I only wish I had purchased my first pipe from someone so invested in keeping the tradition of pipe smoking enjoyable! I look forward to many more visits to Cargo Hold in the future.

Bob Smith

2021-05

Great shop, proprietor was very friendly and helpful, provided great advice regarding a couple of tobacco blends that I wanted to purchase. I also got a great deal on a beautiful Nording pipe that's been on my wish list for years. Thank you, I'll be back!