[1] Perhaps as the result of settlement of a gambling debt, his son later speculated, Sherman wound up as half owner of Traub Brothers and Bear, makers of the Epoca cigar brand, which introduced the nightclub proprietor into the world of tobacco manufacturing.

[2] Sherman subsequently bought out his partner to become sole owner of the Epoca brand, which was made in Havana, Cuba and Tampa, Florida.

Sherman provided the struggling developer with a loan, taking retail space located in the lobby as partial payment.

The wall between the two establishments was later broken down, paving the way for an expansion of the tobacco shop, which catered to an elite customer base which included leaders in the fashion industry, theatre, and politicians.

[1] Nat Sherman's son Joel, company president and CEO into the 21st century, later recalled one of the shop's most dangerous customers: These people drank the best liquor, drove the most expensive cars, had the most beautiful women, and they smoked the best cigars.

[1] Sherman was also a pioneer in the manufacture of cigarettes which made use of cigar tobacco, launching a product called Havana Ovals #149 early in the 1950s.

A total of $1.5 million was spent on the development of the new store, which has an inventory of about 500,000 cigars and a second-floor walk-in humidor and smoking room with leather-backed chairs.

On August 3, 2020, Altria announced that Nat Sherman International Inc. will cease operations by the end of September, shutting down not only its midtown Manhattan cigar store but also its entire wholesale business.