James J. Fox — Local services in London

It pains me to give the store 3/5 as I had a fantastic experience at the Selfridges store a few weeks ago.

Firstly, it's worth saying that I was in the market for a new pipe and tobacco, not cigars. If I'd had been purchasing cigars then I no doubt would be awarding 5 stars. The humidor is well stocked, wide ranging and the staff are knowledgeable.

The pipe experience is somewhat lacking. Unfortunately, the pipes on the walls are sometimes marked as a result of the fixtures holding them to the wall. I couldn't warrant myself paying a premium for a pipe that's less than perfect condition. That said, the basket pipes were in great condition and in abundance.

I was anticipating a wide selection of pipe tobaccos given the jars behind the counter. Sadly, the majority of these are empty so the range is quite small. Adding to this the limited tinned tobacco brands and then you're not going to find anything new to tickle your fancy.

The gentleman who served was pleasant but had limited knowledge of pipes. He did his best to help and was friendly. This is not a complaint, just an observation, and I would stress that his attentiveness to me was brilliant.

The tobacco prices are probably the highest you'll find. But you're in a prime location in London with wonderfully high skilled staff supporting you, albeit not in pipes. I appreciate the reason why the premium is there and again, this is not a complaint.

The store itself is steeped in history. The atmosphere is other worldly, like stepping back in time. Even if you're not a cigar or pipe aficionado, it is still well...

I first visited the Fox store in Dublin on Grafton Street many years ago and have returned to it everytime I visit as they have the finest selection of Cuban cigars I've ever seen, but more importantly the most friendly and knowledgeable staff I've ever experienced at a cigar store, and I used to travel for a living and visited stores everywhere I went.

The London stores I visited, so far everyday of my trip, meet everything I've come to expect from the Fox store in Dublin with the added bonus of the two stores I've visited having sampling rooms where you can actually light up your purchase. The St. James Street store is amazing. Three floors of cigar and pipe heaven. Main floor has any item you'd ever want to own for your cigar or pipe hobby including pipes, cutters, books tobacco, etc. Upstairs is a large very comfortable sampling room. Downstairs has the Freddie Fox museum which includes a huge selection of items when Churchill bought most of his cigars there as well as a chair which was his when he had his own small room while he enjoyed cigars there in private. They have King Edward VIII humidor he gave them to hold when he quit smoking to return if he started again. It was on the King's desk when he abdicated the throne.

Then there's the Harrod's store with its own sampling room. Loved that my wife could spend hours shopping there while I sampled a cigar. Can't believe how amazing it is to know you're in the world's largest and classiest department store having a cigar in the world's classiest and best...

Great Cigar shop with brilliant smoking lounge and significant history located at the heart of London. Most importantly a top level customer service. After a terrible customer experience at the corner cigar shop near JJFox, I definitely appreciate JJFox more and I believe James J. Fox here deserves my review now. I have been visiting and smoking here since 2017 mainly for cigars, Phil and George were brilliant helping me with my cigar smoking at first. Had my first pipe and pipe tobacco here on 2018 with George’s help, it was fantastic smoking in the lounge upstairs and downstairs where full of cigar history, plus who would miss that legendary Churchill’s smoking chair there. Taz was such a nice lady there came in later 2019, she is always welcoming, helpful and remember regular customers. Congrats her to be the permanent store manager now. I had pleasure to join pipe club London event there as well. I have visited the store today to pick up a box of cigar with my little boy. Nick helped me and very patiently explained different brands of cigars. While I was choosing my cigars in this nice new humidor, Yiannos was nicely playing with my little boy outside, really appreciate it for baby sitting, that means a lot when you have small children. You have all been very welcoming and displayed what a top customer service should be. Love the whole classic store setting. Thank you JJFox. God bless. Looking forward to more visits...