Last Saturday, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. welcomed 1,200 visitors to its historic El Reloj cigar factory in Tampa, Florida for its annual Founder’s Day. This year, Founder’s Day celebrated the 131st anniversary of the founding of J.C. Newman and the 140th anniversary of the founding of Tampa’s Ybor City historic cigar district. Founder’s Day is an annual free, family-friendly festival. J.C. Newman opens up its historic cigar factory for free tours and offers cigars for the throwback price of a nickel each.
“When the cigar workers came to Tampa 140 years ago and made Tampa world-famous as ‘Cigar City’ and the ‘Fine Cigar Capital of the World,’ they brought their families with them,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “Therefore, it is only fitting to celebrate the anniversary of our family business and Ybor City in a big, family-friendly way.”
Founder’s Day featured exhibits and participation from the Tampa Baseball Museum, Tampa Bay Sun FC, University of South Florida, MOSI (Museum of Science and Innovation), Visit Tampa Bay, Centro Asturiano, and Tampa Bay Tours, highlighting the rich culture and history of the community. Guests enjoyed a diverse lineup of local vendors including Craving Donuts, Station House Barbeque, Bread on the Bay (The Official Cuban Sandwich Eating Challenge Sponsor), Los Chapos Tacos, Popsicles and Dreams, BarrieHaus Beer Co., Southern Nutrition, 8 Paws Approved, Bookends mobile bookstore, and Michelle Sawyer Art, along with entertainment from Fast Breaks Executive Entertainment. The day was rounded out with engaging activities such as games, face painting, balloon art, and plenty of food and drinks for all to enjoy.
A highlight of the afternoon was the third annual Cuban Sandwich Eating Challenge featuring Miki Sudo and Nick Wehry, the fifth and sixth ranked competitive eaters in the world. Wehry teamed up with Creative Loafing Editor-in-Chief Ray Roa to eat a combined 50 Cuban sandwiches in 8 minutes, defeating Sudo and professional wrestler Tom Pestock who ate a combined 32 Cuban sandwiches.
“Cuban Sandwiches have fed Tampa’s cigar workers for more than a century,” said Newman. “The Cuban Sandwich was created by the immigrant groups who built Ybor City. The Spanish brought the ham. The Cubans provided the pork. The Italians included salami, and the Germans added Swiss cheese and mustard. The ingredients are then pressed together, like the melting pot of cultures Ybor City is.”
Next year’s Founder’s Day is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2027. With Elaine’s Restaurant, Stanford’s Cigar Club, and the Inn at El Reloj opening later this year, J.C. Newman expects Founder’s Day to be even bigger next year. J.C. Newman’s historic El Reloj cigar factory welcomes visitors on weekdays to for guided factory tours, cigar rolling classes, and events. To learn more and book your experience, visit jcnewman.com.
Results from the Third Annual Cuban Sandwich Eating Challenge:
Nick Wehry ate 37 Cuban Sandwiches in 8 minutes
Miki Sudo ate 23 Cuban Sandwiches in 8 minutes
Ray Roa ate 13 Cuban Sandwiches in 8 minutes
Tom Pestock ate 9 Cuban Sandwiches in 8 minutes
