Plan Commission approves home-industry permit for James Ginther Cigars at Stillwater Court

Waukesha City Plan Commission on Aug. 27 approved a conditional use permit to allow James Ginther to operate a home-industry wholesale cigar business at 3725 Stillwater Court, the commission said. The permit allows the purchase and limited sale of cigars but prohibits in-person sales at the residence.

Staff presented the request and said the use requires a conditional use permit because the city’s home-occupation code bars keeping or selling stock that was not manufactured on the premises. The staff presentation noted the applicant described the venture as primarily for personal purchase, with occasional sales to friends and family, and that all sales would be delivered to purchasers rather than handled on-site.

The conditional use permit includes conditions that the business be operated as described, that all cigar sales be by delivery only, that no larger assemblies of cigar smokers be held on the property and that the approval applies only to “James Ginther Cigars”; any different tobacco business or an expansion beyond the described use would require further review. Staff also noted the applicant must obtain the city’s cigarette and tobacco products retailer license to sell tobacco products.

George Jers, a member of the Stillwater Court Homeowners Association board, told the commission, “We do not have an objection at all to Jim's request. I’d like to just state that for the record. The community is good with it.” Applicant Jim Ginther corrected the address on the record, saying, “The address that we've got up there is incorrect. It's 3725, not 2725.”

Commissioners moved to approve the permit with staff conditions; the motion passed unanimously. The permit explicitly does not authorize manufacturing cigars on-site beyond what is described in the application, and the commission noted any changes would require new approvals.