Oakbrook Tobacco started in 1976 as a retail outlet in Oak Brook, Illinois and is currently the oldest store at the Oak Brook Center. Oakbrook Tobacco started to spread its wings even before it opened. It had Established itself as one of the most knowledgeable companies in the cigar industry by having a cigar roller on site at the Old Chicago Mall in Bolingbrook, Illinois named Meyer Patur. Even though Meyer was 85 years old at the time Oakbrook Tobacco opened its doors he still managed to roll 100 cigars a day.
Meyer’s knowledge of cigars, cigar-leaf, taste and blending is unmatched in today’s industry. Fortunately, Meyer was able to transfer this knowledge to the owner who carried on his tradition of hand rolling.

Meyer’s clientele included some of the more famous cigar smokers in the world who have long passed onto cigar heaven along with Meyer. Meyer's clientele included: George Burns, Tip O’Neil, Milton Berle and James Smithson-founder of the Smithsonian Institute.
Meyer’s tradition of having the finest cigar was defined by the smoker who has the experience of such a great smoking pleasure that he wonders aloud whether one should consume the cigar for nutritional value or smoke it for the pure pleasure of smoking alone. It was further defined by the fact that when smoking the cigar there is absolutely no irritation to the smokers tongue or the inside of his mouth and of course after finishing the cigar there is no cigar odor clinging to your breath, clothing or hair. It is almost an oxymoron to enjoy a cigar with such brilliant taste and have such mildness.

Maniscalco –Shortly after the opening of Oakbrook Tobacco a small Buckeye shop, known as Maniscalco Cigar in YBor City in Tampa Bay, Florida was acquired and Meyer’s blends were introduced into the factory. Today, Maniscalco Cigar factory is the last factory left in Tampa Bay which used to be one of the major mecas for cigar manufactures. To this day, one can still have lunch at the Columbia House, stop by the factory, and watch the rollers prepare the leaf, hand roll the cigar, and smoke a cigar right off the cigar rollers table.

In 1994, when the tobacco leaf started to become difficult to purchase due to the demand of the well known cigar boom; Oakbrook Tobacco purchased an interest in the Carbonell Cigar factory located just outside Santiago Dominican Republic (Province of Palmar Abajo). This not only gave Oakbrook Tobacco a fresh source for leaf but gave it the opportunity of a lifetime, for it was at this time the owner met Jorge Carbonell owner of the Carbonell factory. Senor Carbonell is considered world wide the most knowledgeable person alive when it comes to seed and seed development. The factory not only produces the Carbonell cigar but also hand rolls the famous Mendez Y Lopez cigar that used to be rolled in Cuba. Both cigars are the best kept secrets in the industry today. The Carbonell Cigar has found a way to add a sweet taste to the cigar that lasts throughout the cigar and has increased the pleasure derived from the quiet smoking of a great cigar.

In 2008 Mr. Robert Fanning decided to pursue other interests. Longtime employees Vince Mascio and Jason Wagner purchased the retail store and moved across the street from the mall, they will maintain and continue the legacy of those who helped build this industry, with the same dedication to provide our loyal customers with the high quality products and service they have come to know.