A Trip to Chambersburg

I decided that I'd like to drive up and see Boswell's with my own eyes. It would give me a chance to see the other pipes they have in stock, as well as get a whiff of some different tobacco blends. I didn't have any specific plans for buying any new pipes, but if I was planning to drive some ninety miles to a pipe shop, I figured I wasn't going to leave empty-handed.

The drive was pleasant. My son, Stephen, rode along with me. I hadn't done much smoking around him at the time, and he was somewhat curious about what I was up to. I explained to him that smoking was only for grown-ups, and he accepted this with a three year-old's stoicism. He didn't have any idea where we were going, only that it was a "pipe shop."

When we arrived in Chambersburg, probably close to 3:30 in the afternoon, Stephen was ready to stretch his legs. We entered Boswell's and were greeted warmly by everyone in the shop. JM and Dan, who I'd never met, were there, as were a couple of regular customers. They were relaxing with cigars and pipes. Stephen, who has no concept of personal space, immediately introduced himself and sat down right next to JM.

The first thing that struck me was that Boswell's is spacious inside. I was used to the tobacconist in the mall, which is small and cramped for space. This place wasn't like that at all. One wall consists of display cases where one can peruse all the pipes for sale. Dan admitted that the stock was somewhat low, but that they were gearing up for the holidays.

As Stephen socialized, I chatted with Dan about video games and picked out a pipe that caught my eye: a ball-style with a flat bottom (at right). I'm not sure if the flat bottom makes it an "author" or not. I was initially attracted to the color of the wood, as well as the carving that circled the bowl. In addition, I bought some new tobacco blends to try along with a small combo pouch that would carry my work featherweight.

Gail, JM's wife (and, by extension, Dan's mother) appeared and began to dote over Stephen. It was near closing time -- we'd left the house late, and I didn't expect my visit to the store to be so sociable. But these folks were nice. Despite the fact that we'd arrived a half-hour before closing time, they made sure we were comfortable, offered us drinks and snacks, talked with us, and treated my little boy like a king.

Time was short, so I made my purchases and said my goodbyes and promised to return within a month or so. I inquired about a wizard-style pipe -- something in the style of churchwarden reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. JM told me he was working on an order of similar pipes, and would make an extra one for me. Stephen wasn't thrilled about leaving, but he was in a good mood -- he'd scored a cigar box full of candy, animal crackers, and some apple juice.

The Boswells had impressed me with their craftsmanship, their generosity, and their hospitality. Unlike the small shop in the mall, which was cramped and (more or less) impersonal, their store was almost like a home away from home. It felt like we'd made some new friends, and my loyalty as a customer had been secured.