Sanchez Family Opened La Tradicion Cubana in Lakeland

Owners Luis and Lourdes Sanchez brought their family's long-standing cigar-making tradition to Lakeland in 2024.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Local Shops

Bold vector editorial illustration of a bundle of cured tobacco leaves on a wooden workbench, evoking a quiet, traditional craft atmosphere. — Luis and Lourdes Sanchez opened their family-run cigar business, La Tradicion Cubana, in Lakeland this year to share traditional craftsmanship with the community. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Luis and Lourdes Sanchez established a local location for La Tradicion Cubana Cigars in 2024. The family-run business aims to preserve craftsmanship techniques that date back to their ancestral roots in Cuba.

Why it matters

The shop serves as a hub for community social interaction while educating residents on the historical nuances of cigar production. By hosting local events, the owners seek to maintain cultural heritage in the region.

The family's connection to cigar making originated in Cuba in the 1920s. Following the 1995 opening of their first shop, the business expanded to its current Lakeland location in 2024.

The players

Luis Sanchez

Luis Sanchez is a co-owner of La Tradicion Cubana Cigars who helps oversee the daily operations of the business.

Lourdes Sanchez

Lourdes Sanchez is a co-owner of the company who focuses on preserving the family's historical cigar-making techniques.

Jose Sanchez

Jose Sanchez serves as the vice president of La Tradicion Cubana Cigars and assists in managing the brand.

The details

The business focuses on teaching customers about the history and technical traditions of cigar making. It also serves as a community gathering space, regularly hosting events such as bike nights for local patrons.

The family's cigar-making roots began in Cuba in the 1920s.
The founders opened their initial shop in Miami in 1995.
The business expanded to the Lakeland area in 2024.

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Culture Shift

The expansion follows the broader trend of heritage craft shops leveraging ancestral techniques to maintain cultural identity in modern retail markets. This movement prioritizes experiential shopping that connects consumers to the history behind their products.

Residents can visit the shop to participate in community events or learn about the historical craftsmanship behind tobacco products. The business offers a unique social environment for local customers who are interested in traditional cigar-making culture.

The takeaway

Supporting multi-generational family businesses provides residents with access to authentic traditions that might otherwise fade over time. These establishments often become essential social hubs that strengthen local community ties.