Company News
J.C. Newman Hiring 100 Staff for New Hotel and Cigar Club at Tampa Factory
J.C. Newman Cigar Co., the Tampa-based company whose historic El Reloj factory produces the popular Factory Throwouts cigars, is staffing up for a major expansion into the hospitality sector. The fourth-generation cigar maker held a walk-in job fair on September 22 and 23 to fill approximately 100 positions across a new hospitality division and the factory itself, according to reports from the Business Observer and FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
The new hires will operate a boutique hotel, a restaurant, and a members-style cigar lounge that the Newman family plans to open in a restored 1910 building directly across the street from the factory before the end of 2026.
Three New Venues in a 116-Year-Old Building
The project is centered in the Sanchez y Haya Building, which originally opened in 1910 as a boarding house for El Reloj's cigar workers. After sitting empty for decades, the Newmans have restored the structure to house three distinct venues:
- The Inn at El Reloj: An 11-room boutique hotel on the second floor, pitched as a destination to experience the historic core of "Cigar City."
- Elaine's: A full-service American restaurant named for family matriarch Elaine Newman. It will initially open for breakfast and lunch, with dinner service planned for a later date.
- Stanford's Cigar Club: A dedicated cigar lounge featuring reserve spirits and wine, named in honor of former company president Stanford J. Newman.
FOX 13 reported that the venues were approximately nine weeks from opening as of late September, placing the target launch in late November 2026. The company has organized these operations under the new J.C. Newman Hospitality division.
The Hiring Push and Employee Benefits
The recruitment drive covers a wide range of roles, including food preparation, restaurant service, hotel operations, guest services, administration, and management. Additionally, the company is seeking new personnel for the factory floor. According to the Business Observer, both full-time and part-time positions include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, and paid leave.
"We are recruiting 100 people to help us tell the story of Tampa's history as Cigar City." — Drew Newman, Owner, J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
In a statement, Newman framed the expansion as a commitment to Ybor City, choosing to grow the family business locally rather than relocating operations elsewhere.
Impact on the Factory Throwouts Brand
For enthusiasts of cigar bundles, this expansion reinforces the stability of one of the few nationally distributed cigars still manufactured in the United States. El Reloj continues to produce Factory Throwouts using hand-operated machines dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. The line features an Ecuador Sungrown wrapper over Dominican and Nicaraguan binder and filler.
The brand offers three primary sizes, all available in sweet tobacco and natural varieties:
- No. 99: 7¼ x 52
- No. 59: 6¼ x 45 (also available in a Claro wrapper)
- No. 49: 5½ x 49
While the hospitality project introduces new ways to experience the brand, it does not change the production or pricing of the cigars themselves. Instead, it signals a company investing in its domestic footprint at a time when much of the mass-market industry is consolidating. This stability is notable as other major players like Borkum Riff maintain their core presence in the market.
The Bottom Line
J.C. Newman is betting on cigar tourism to complement a factory that has been operational for over 70 years. The addition of 100 staff members suggests a robust future for the maker of Factory Throwouts No. 59 Sweet and other American-made lines like Factory Throwouts No. 99 Cigars. Visitors to Tampa can expect the Sanchez y Haya Building to open its doors around late November, offering a complete hospitality experience just steps away from the vintage machines of El Reloj.