Johnny Yancy, the owner of Chocolate City, a Black-owned cigar lounge in Las Vegas, has announced he will rebrand his retail space in a partnership with El Septimo.

Owned by the Younan Company, El Septimo has more than $5.8 billion in assets under management through its La Maison Younan and Younan Properties subsidiaries.

The Geneva-based cigar company has increased its presence in Las Vegas over the last few years and is working with Yancy and other Black retailers to open and lead new flagship locations.

“I am a huge fan of El Septimo cigars and its products. This is a Black-owned cigar lounge in Las Vegas, and El Septimo has been a big help in getting our lounge up and running. They are creative, and everything they do is the ultimate luxury experience,” Yancy said in a statement.

“Across the U.S., El Septimo has demonstrated its willingness to work with Black lounge owners and has helped Black communities and businesses. This is very important for us and a major factor in how we select our partners. I have never seen a company enter the U.S. market and in less than just two years, establish itself as the best,” he added.

And the opportunity for growth is there. Zaya Younan, CEO of El Septimo, said the global brand is not just focusing on retail expansion on the Las Vegas strip.

She added North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Southern Highland, Henderson, and Green Valley are also on the table.

Florida is also another expansion point for the company. The announcement follows the hiring of Michael Wasp, a seasoned sales executive managing sales growth in the Sunshine State.

“This year, we are also introducing a new cigar line and accessories. The new cigar part of El Septimo’s recent “Emperor Collection” has been designed to celebrate Black history and culture and will be named “Empress Sheba” after the first queen of Africa, known for her wisdom, beauty, and wealth. She was also the first queen to be mentioned in the bible,” Younan said in a statement.

“Not only do they have the best cigars and accessories in the world, but they also have wine and spirits of their own, unlike any other cigar company,” Yancy said in a statement.

“El Septimo has already established itself as the best cigar manufacturer in the world, being the only innovative company that has truly elevated this old industry. We are excited to be associated with El Septimo and can’t wait to see this beautiful lounge open to the public. We started carrying this brand, and our customers love the products. We all have learned that we need to team up with El Septimo to be successful,” Yancy said in a statement.