In a world that rarely slows down, Robert Welthyn has created a sanctuary to do just that.

As COO of LEATHERWOOD, Robert curates more than a cigar lounge—he offers experiences rooted in intention, culture, and connection. One where every detail is deliberate, from the atmosphere to the company you keep, all designed to turn ordinary evenings into something lasting.

Everything in the front showroom is intentional and very distinctly heritage based. The decoration ranges from old parts of St. James to the deed of the building from 1888, built by the famed Lemp Family that St. Louis knows so well. The building feels like a sacred space in time – secret, safe, and heavily cared for, unlike many of the places we gather in that are destroyed by shareholders.

Central to that experience is a refusal to follow the mainstream. LEATHERWOOD doesn’t stock mass-produced, name-brand cigars. Instead, Robert sources from generational families like Plasencia, whose centuries-old craftsmanship produces cigars meant not to be rushed, but savored. These are not commodities, they are handmade works of art. He even showcased the gorgeous cigar knife set from famed French bladesmith, LES FINES LAMES – with handles ranging from bronze to solid gold.

Driven by a love of connection, Robert works to craft unique moments, rooted in educating both public and private parties regarding the complex and regional characteristics of fine tobaccos.

Rather than a quick flame, Robert emphasizes a slow toast, often with Spanish cedar, building to a perfect, even burn. The result is a richer, more complete expression of the cigar—and a reminder that patience elevates everything.

That philosophy carries into his personal style and presence. Robert’s approach is timeless: refined, intentional, and never driven by trend. To him, appearance is a form of respect—an outward reflection of discipline and self-mastery.

At its core, LEATHERWOOD is about reclaiming time. It’s in the quiet clink of ice in a glass, the depth of good conversation, the pause between moments.

“People say you can’t buy time,” Robert says. “They’ve never had a cigar here.”

And in that space, even for a little while, time feels like it belongs to you again.

Tucked on a quiet street in St. James, Missouri is an oasis for cigar aficionados.