- Javier Hernandez
- Valencia Cigars & Int'l Newsstand
- Javier Hernandez has been
helpful (50) times.
About the business: Valencia Cigars & International Newsstand was established by mother and son in 1992. They proudly continue to be family owned and operated while offering the largest and finest selection of imported cigars and reading materials. Upon entering the walk-in humidor it only takes a moment to feel the son's passion for cigars. Through out the year they offer premium cigar tasting, which have become a community favorite. Additionally,they carry over 3000 periodicals from around the world including hard to find titles and earlier periodical deliveries than other magazine dealers. Magazines provide great reading material. Be it for those with short attention spans or just living in today's ever so busy lifestyle. They provide their services to the entertainment industry including writers for television shows such as "Law and Order", "24", an A-list of celebrity personal assistants and corporate jet service clients such as Disney, Clay Lacey and Dream Works. In honor of the son's father, who worked for the railroad, the son installed a model train that circles the store. The model train is a favorite amongst customers, regardless of age or gender, it never fails to put a smile of their face. Whether you enjoy rewarding your mind by reading or tasting the latest cigars this specialty store has reading material for all interest and something unique for all Cigar Aficionados. Please come in and let us satisfy your palate and amaze you with our reading selection. We are here to better serve you!History and bio: Javier Hernandez is the owner of Valencia of Valencia Cigars & Int'l Newsstand. As a young man, Javier loved to read and was recognized by his local councilman for his library book reading achievements. Shortly after, he was the opportunity to learn the newsstand business from his good friends, Joe, Al and Chris at the corner of Ventura and Van Nuys Blvd. known as The SHerman Oaks Newsstand. Servicing celebrities such as, Burt Reynolds, Emmanuel Lewis, Jay Leno, Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O'Neal, Tom Petty and Easy E. Javier began his interest in cigars at the age 18. Turning a hobby into a passion and a quest to broaden his knowledge about cigars.His passion has taken him to various cigar-producing countries, during which he has had the pleasure and honor of meeting and building personal friendships with numerous cigar legends including Carlito Fuente. Through his Journey, he has learned that cigars are an art form, continuously changing with one years masterpiece blend being different then the next. In 1992 a great friend of Javier's who was a well know and respected sports writer in the San Fernando Valley "Peter Kokon" placed a call directly to The LA Times and Daily News owners and with their help, at 23 years of age, Javier and his mother "Armida" opened their doors for business. Quickly outgrowing the outdoor kiosk and moving into the current indoor store enabled him to add cigars to his business. On several occasions Javier was frequently disappointed when he would drive up to a store and it would be closed for the day, especially if it was a cigar store. Starting with a wall unit cigar display, the cigars were an immediate big hit with his customers. He realized that the demand was greater than originally anticipated so he built Santa Clarita Valley's first and only 24-hour walk-in humidor! Javier has built a reputation of being friendly, honest, offering both knowledge and fair prices. Having a 24-hour store enables him to serve any aficionado or reader at anytime; early morning golfer, business meeting groups, those on the way to work or vacation, poker nights, graduations, weddings, milestone celebrations and his personal favorites, directly from the hospital, a proud new father or the bride to be looking at wedding magazines for "The Dress". Those precious times in ones life generate a special magic in the air you can immediately sense from the customers and share in their happiness. Then you have the auto, motorcycle, motor home, boat and plane enthusiasts, leisure readers, teachers, various hobbyist, realtors, accountants, set dressers, grips, private chauffeurs, hunters & sport fishers, hair stylist, producers, history and animal lovers, musicians, car dealers, doctors, tattoo artists, sports fans, mechanics, aspiring actors, physical trainers, photographers, students, lawyers, fashion designers, salesmen, contractors, models, video and audio experts, waitresses, investors, craftsmen, gardeners, entrepreneurs, world travelers, scientist, cooks, chefs, home decorators, video gamers, timepiece, gun, coin, doll, stamp and toy collectors, firefighters, nature lovers, various law enforcement agencies, city workers, sudoku book wizards, comic book reading children and the list goes on and on, simply put serving interests from A to Z, serving all walks of life! Javier met his wife Elizabeth at Valencia Cigars & Int'l Newsstand. Today he is happily married and together with his cigar-smoking wife continues travelling to cigar manufacturing countries, bringing back the latest blends and industry trends. In 2006, Javier was appointed purveyor of the prestigious and historic super premium cigar line from the Arturo Fuente Cigar Family, "Fuente Fuente Opus X". Javier is grateful for the friendships and pleasurables experiences Valencia Cigars and Int'l Newsstand has brought him and believes in giving back by supporting local community fundraisers, school sports programs. "Baker to Vegas", LAPD Cigar Night, active military personal, veterans and even children in third world countries through the amazing "Cigar Family Foundation" in the Dominican Republic. Javier is especially appreciative to all his family, friends and, of course, the loyal customers that have enabled him to keep doing what he loves, spending time with them, adding to his list of memorable experiences while tasting new cigars, appreciating life's simple pleasures, leisure reading and feels blessed to be able to work alongside his sweet mom. Magazine articles and cigar blends are always changing, please come on in and reward your mind by reading or join us at our next cigar tasting and share in the mystical cigar experience!