CORNING, N.Y. -- "This is an institution here in this community. And it's an institution in small streets across America to have a store that's like this, that's been around so long and has so much history," said Market Street business owner Leon Bourdage.

The history of Brown's Cigar Store starts 120 years ago, in 1889, with an acrobat named John Comosh. The current owners, the Smiths, got involved a little later on.

"My dad worked for W.E. Brown. He started here when he was 15, when he was in high school. And when he came out of the service in 1946 or 1947, he bought into the business," Terry Smith said.

Smith and his siblings grew up working at Brown's. He, his brother and sister still do, and love it.

"Working with family and our customers. The customers are great," Smith said.

Customers say Brown's is more than just a cigar store.

"Brown's is the center of the street's activity, especially in the morning. Any news or what's going on on the street, people come in and talk, so you get your paper in the morning and find out what's going on," Bourdage said.

"You meet a couple of people in here that you know. Sit around and browse and have cigars. It's a very nice place to come," said Corning resident Kirk Jarvis.

Smith says customers come in for years, some even after they move away. But he says he hasn't seen as many people since the economy started to slow.

"We believe cigars are a feel-good item. And, you know, if you don't feel good, if your budgets are bad and things, you may not have a cigar," Smith said.

Difficult economic conditions may test Market Street and other area businesses, but Smith says Brown's isn't going anywhere.

"Oh yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I'm going to be here another 120 years. But we'll be here for the next few years anyway," Smith said.

After that, he says it'll be time for someone else to continue the history of the Corning institution.

Brown's Cigar Store owners say they will host several events to commemorate their 120th anniversary, including a summer "cigar-becue."