Return to Panama: StarkeZigarren Acquires Pipe Shop in Leipzig
Panama City / Leipzig – After three trips to Panama in 2025 and valuable new business contacts in Panama City, entrepreneur Sebastian Gollas returned to Berlin toward the end of the year. Although business activities with Panama have not yet officially begun, Sebastian is already planning his return: “We are currently working on our own cigar brand in Costa Rica. I would like to introduce these cigars to the Panamanian market this year.”
Before that, however, another project takes priority. On January 2, 2026, his company StarkeZigarren acquired the Sächsische Pfeifenstube in Leipzig. This long-established pipe shop was no longer in the best condition and has required careful restoration since January 2026. Once this work is completed, attention will turn back to Panama. The new store will focus primarily on pipes and pipe tobacco, with cigars taking a secondary role.
Tradition Meets Modernity – Berlin Cigar House Expands into Saxony’s Metropolis
The city of Leipzig is regarded as one of Germany’s most dynamic metropolitan areas, shaped by industry, culture, one of the country’s most attractive main railway stations, its own airport, and around 630,000 residents. Located less than two hours from Berlin—where StarkeZigarren is headquartered—a new chapter is now unfolding in the history of the Berlin-based cigar company, whose roots lie in Passau and Lübeck.
In spring 2025, the StarkeZigarren team visited a long-established pipe shop in Leipzig during a sales tour. This traditional store has represented passion and craftsmanship for three decades. During the visit, it became clear that the owner was looking for a successor starting in 2026. After further discussions and phone calls, the decision was quickly made: StarkeZigarren would take over the Sächsische Pfeifenstube in Leipzig.
A Traditional Business with Heart and History
The shop is centrally located near the university and Leipzig’s historic old town, surrounded by popular districts such as the Musikviertel, Südvorstadt, and the city center. For 28 years, the previous owner, Lutz Merker, dedicated himself with great passion primarily to pipes and pipe tobacco. Cigars had previously played only a minor role.
His passion even took him to Turkey, where he personally inspected the production of meerschaum pipes. He was also particularly renowned for his expertise in pipe repair—a craft now mastered by only a few specialists. StarkeZigarren aims to preserve and continue this legacy.
New Focus from 2026: Cigars, Lounge, and a Culture of Enjoyment
As of January 2, 2026, StarkeZigarren officially takes over the Leipzig store. The company brings its many years of experience and expertise in premium cigars to the business without altering the shop’s traditional character. At the same time, the range of pipe tobaccos will be significantly expanded.
The existing house brands will remain, as will the popular pipe workshops. A careful renovation is planned for spring 2026, modernizing the store while preserving its distinctive character.
A new highlight will be a small but refined pipe and cigar lounge, inviting customers to relax and sample products. The offering will be complemented by regular tastings—creating a place for connoisseurs that appeals to pipe enthusiasts, cigar lovers, and, ideally, spirits collectors alike.
“A Bridge Between Tradition and the Future”
“The history and passion of the previous owner deeply impressed us,” explains Sebastian Gollas of StarkeZigarren. “We see it as both a great responsibility and a unique opportunity to continue this life’s work and enrich it with our expertise in cigars. Leipzig offers the ideal environment for this.”
With the acquisition, StarkeZigarren expands its brick-and-mortar presence and sends a clear signal of continued growth in the premium segment—always with the goal of combining connoisseurship and professional expertise. A cigar creation tentatively titled “Leipziger Nachtstück” is already in development. Dedicated to the cultural city of Leipzig, the cigars are intended primarily as gifts and souvenirs for tourists. The blend and design are currently still being refined in Nicaragua.
About the Sächsische Pfeifenstube in Leipzig
Exactly 28 years ago, Lutz Merker began the “Pfeifenstube” adventure in Leipzig. Initially, the shop was affiliated with Pfeifen Heinrichs in Cologne as part of a franchise concept designed to minimize risk. Soon, however, Lutz Merker became independent from Cologne and gradually built up the Sächsische Pfeifenstube in Leipzig. Until its handover on December 30, 2025, the pipe shop attracted pipe clubs from across the entire region.
Website: www.pfeifenstube.de
Opening Leipzig: January 2, 2026
Location: Peterssteinweg 5, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
