A tobacco shop whose opening one year ago had stirred some opposition in New Canaan appears to have closed.
Looking inside the vacant space at 13 South Ave. where L&A Cigars and Tobacco had been located on Jan. 14, 2023. Credit: Michael Dinan
The commercial space at 13 South Ave.—home of L&A Cigars and Tobacco since last January—is vacant, its cigar humidor sealed off and its shelves of ashtrays, cutters, lighters, humidor boxes, pipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, cigarettes and vapes removed.
It wasn’t clear why the store closed. Its owner could not immediately be reached for comment.
The closing is not related to an apparent joint local and state police operation on Nov. 1. On that Tuesday, authorities could be seen removing items from L&A Cigars and Tobacco. Asked about it at the time, police withheld details, saying the matter was under active investigation. The matter remains under investigation, police confirmed Monday.
After receiving the business owner’s site plan application in late-2021, the New Canaan Planning & Zoning Commission considered a denial. Some P&Z members voiced concerns at the time, saying that it’s an area where youth congregate and there already are such retailers in New Canaan—including along South Avenue at the same intersection, in two gas stations. Ultimately, after consulting legal counsel, P&Z approved it.