We came upon this ditty during a West Philly stroll this week. If you’re a cigar aficionado looking for a new place to find fine-rolled tobacco leaves, The Urban Traveler (UT) on Baltimore Ave. may soon be your new away-from-downtown spot of choice.

Located at 4832 Baltimore Ave. next to the future site of the Mariposa Co-op market, The UT is set to open later this month, according to owner Han Pak. The store will sell cell phones, fashion accessories, jewelry ($10 – $30), tobacco, tobacco pipes and more. But hey, it’s better than a Subway, right?

Probably the most interesting aspect of this store is the small-study sized humidor room in the back, where Pak will soon pack the shelves that line the room like bookcases with different cigar varieties.

Future humidor

The property last served as a day care facility and is zoned C-2. Pak, who entered into a five-year lease with the owners of the building (who also own the Fresh Deli next door) can open the store as-of-right. He plans to have the cigar-room stocked by mid-March, he said.

This humidor habitat is the only of its kind in the neighborhood. Perhaps, once the new Mariposa opens, we’ll drop by to check out some organic products and then head next door for a cigar, or a perhaps a corncob pipe that would make Popeye proud.

–Lou Mancinelli