With a soft opening Saturday night, Main Street's Aroma Cigar Lounge became the first cigar lounge within Laurel city limits.

In November 2014, the City Council voted to amend its zoning law, approving the ordinance request by owner Sha'ron Lynn to create a special exception to allow a tobacco retail and smoking lounge inside a two-story building within certain commercial zones. The ordinance also allows for the retail sale of cigars, flavored tobacco, hookahs and accessories.

The law included a few stipulations, such as an age requirement of 21 with limited beer and wine sales, and a limit of two live performances per month. The city's department of Community Planning and Business Services must be notified within seven days of a scheduled performance, and dancing is prohibited at the business.

"I feel like I got exactly what I wanted, which was for people to come out here, get a feel of the environment, and make changes where we need to because nothing's perfect," Lynn said.

Lynn said her business venture was challenging "as an African American woman in a man's activity," but she's never heard any major criticism from the public.

"The city of Laurel had pushed out lots of information about the cigar lounge coming," she said. "They had the opportunity to block it, to stop it and to protest it, but not one person did that. You're going to have some people who are for it and you're going to have some people who are against it. As of right now, I have not had anyone say anything bad about bringing a cigar lounge to Laurel."

Walter Kirkland, founder and public relations consultant of Walter Kirkland's Global Entertainment, worked with Lynn during the startup. He described Aroma as "an exquisite, elite VIP experience," where people can enjoy an atmosphere different from that of a typical club.

"A lot of my clients like the exclusivity," Kirkland said. "There's something about having cigars and a glass of cognac with real close friends where you can do business together, you can talk about family and it takes you to a different place. … What we're trying to do is bring that elitism into Laurel and into Prince George's County."

Kirkland also said that diversity plays a crucial role in Aroma's atmosphere with ages averaging from 25 to 60 years old.

"If you walk down Main Street, a lot of folks smoke cigars," he said. "So, what's nice about the lounge here is there will be a diverse clientele coming in here."

Megalodon Sports and Entertainment Vice President Dana Hicks, another colleague of Lynn, said the business heightened her curiosity at first glance.

"When I first pulled up, I said, 'OK, it's a house,' " Hicks said. "Then, I walked in, looked around and thought, 'Oh, it's a cool house! I like it.' It went from feeling like I was going to a club to feeling at home where I can relax. It's so comfortable and it's so cozy."

Across the street at Uptown Vape, owner James Wilson believes the new cigar lounge will benefit local residents and nearby businesses.

"It brings something to do," Wilson said. "I just look at the kind of business that the restaurants around here get from people coming [to Uptown Vape]. Everybody comes in, hangs out and then they get hungry and go eat. The same thing is going to happen over there."

Wilson also said surrounding areas shouldn't have a problem with the cigar smell since Lynn purchased three ventilation systems to keep the air clear and clean.

After Aroma's soft opening, Sixth Street resident Mary Humphreys said parking was an issue she "was not a fan of."

"People would rather park on Sixth Street because it's closer and because most people are lazy," Humphreys said. "They would rather not walk up 10 steps or around the corner if they don't have to."

With no places to park, Humphreys said her neighbor called Laurel police when people started parking in front of nearby fire hydrants.

"I know the city is looking for tax revenue and businesses to come to the area, Old Laurel, that's great," Humphreys said. "But, this is Old Laurel, so if they don't have parking, maybe they should rethink what they're allowing people to do."

Lynn said she is more than willing to address any of the community's concerns.

"If there is any criticism, I'm approachable," she said. "I'd love to hear feedback, but I'm here to stay. I'm not going anywhere. It didn't take a lot to get me in, but it will take a whole lot to get me out. I'm workable."