SPRINGFIELD — The ash is growing long at Smokey Joe’s Cigar Lounge .

And the Thursday afternoon lunch club of regulars is meeting here for one of the last times.

After 10 years on the second floor of 395 Dwight St., Joseph Hendrix is closing his business. He’s told members to clean out their private humidors lockers by the end of the year. The last day is Dec. 31.

“Retirement is calling,” Hendrix said. “It’s been great. We’ve had great times. Great people.”

But Smokey Joe’s was already a second career. A cigar smoker since his days in the Army, Hendrix opened the shop and lounge nearly 11 years ago after working in human resources for an engineering firm.

A short-lived location on the ground floor of the McIntosh Condominiums closed when city health officials wouldn’t renew the smok

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