Arturo founded A. Fuente & Company

In 1912, two years after Arturo Fuente came to the United States of America, Arturo founded A. Fuente & Company at 24 years of age. The company was located in West Tampa on 813 Francis Street. During this time, all the cigars produced by the Arturo Fuente Company were handmade with Cuban tobacco.

In 1922, the company was doing very well and reached it’s peak, employing 500 people. Then tragedy struck in 1924 when the factory burned down while Arturo was in Cuba buying tobacco. Not only was the factory declared a complete loss, Arturo also went through a divorce with Doña Hilda. Arturo spent the next 22 years working as a general manager for a local business to repay debts owed from the losses caused by the fire, while keeping his cigar manufacturing dream alive from his home.

Image: 813 Francis Street, Tampa FL