Drug Store Cigars

Picture from Click Americana, 2021

Before mass financialization killed American prosperity, say back in 1969, the federal minimum wage was $1.30 per hour. Today it’s $7.25 per hour. As I have calculated before, it would be around $45.00 had wages kept pace with housing costs. It would be $37.75 if adjusted to match the (2750%) increase in drugstore cigar prices since 1969. 


Look at the picture.


A Gray Drug façade in some American mall in 1969. The look from the days of Peak America: clean, modern, and without so much gaudy flash as developed near the end of the century. In the center of the photo, one can plainly see the large “Tobacco—Cigars” awning hanging over an aisle shelf and display case. A closer inspection reveals that the cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and accessories are open and available on the shelf. One could just walk right up, select some cigars—El Producto, Dutch Masters, Garcia y Vega, King Edward, Muriels—and buy them like any other product. One could smoke in the mall, there were no idiotic identification checks, and prices were affordable (10 to 25 cents in most cases). This was, kids, before Americans gave away their freedoms. 


Pa, my maternal grandfather, loved Muriel Magnums. He could have probably purchased a box of them in that picture for five dollars or less. If he were still around, I think he’d agree that I should declare victory, hang up all this socio-political-economic bullshit, and just concentrate on writing fiction. He and I would then smoke some Muriels. Well, okay, Muriels are a little hard to come by these sad days; I suppose we’d have to make do with Cubans Rounds or something. Come to think of it, I’m going to go make do right now! (If one just has to have another thousand words, then go back to the Gray photo.)
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Fumi vindice!

This piece was published at Perrin Lovett on Oct. 17 2025.