A cannabis retail store in Grimshaw is one of just 10 more to get licences from the provincial government. Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis announced last week that it would unfreeze its licences in order to bring the total in the province to 75.
Co-owner/manager of The Potterie Ben Roche says his team was ready to open when AGLC decided to stop issuing licences due to a lack of cannabis supply. The suspension began on November 21, 2018.
“We were right on the cusp of being given ours, so we came out in the first three that were given the licences the other day and it was extremely exciting; before that, we just had no idea if or when we would be opening.”
In the meantime, Roche says it has been tough being ready and waiting, as the company was paying rent for a store that couldn’t open. It also had to pay for renovations and the necessary security measures outlined by the government. The hope now is to open its doors by mid-February.
“To get set up with AGLC it takes a few weeks to do that,” explains Roche. “It’ll take maybe a week to finalize the administration with them for ordering the product and then it’s about a two week process to actually order the product.”
There’s already a cannabis retail store operating in Grimshaw called Bud Runners. The owners also have a location in Peace River, while there is just one shop in Grande Prairie, Lucky Leaf. Roche believes his store will be set apart by the amount of education provided, making it worth the wait.
“We’re not looking to have just off-the-shelf purchases there; we’re looking at plenty of information available… on not just the products but cannabis itself.”
Roche adds that he and the other owners come from a service industry background and hope to provide a high level of customer service once open.