MJBizMag May-June 2021 - 65

Againstthe Odds
O
Cannabis retailers who opened during the coronavirus pandemic
share ways they set stores up for success
By Margaret Jackson
pening a retail cannabis store is
difficult. Throw in a pandemic,
Toronto's bitterly cold winter
weather or the revival of a dormant
medical marijuana dispensary, and the
new venture could be headed for disaster.
Nevertheless, Forever Buds CEO Vish
Joshi said his company's new store is
" killing it " on service in Toronto's Little
Italy neighborhood. The community is
responding, Joshi added, even though
customers have not yet been allowed in
the store.
Forever Buds began sales Jan. 28,
shortly after an alarming increase in
COVID-19 cases prompted Ontario's
provincial government to declare an
emergency and restrict cannabis retailers
to serving customers through delivery
and curbside pickup.
Joshi and his team persevered and
strived to make the outdoor experience
as comfortable as possible for curbside
shoppers. They set up heaters outside the
store to keep customers warm, served hot
chocolate while consumers waited and
worked hard to fill orders as fast as possible
for curbside pickup. Forever Buds also
offers a free, same-day delivery service.
" When we got into this business, we
wanted to be a landmark, " Joshi said. " We
wanted a big splash with a big party. But
we couldn't do it. It's the worst possible
time you can open. "
With Forever Buds' opening not going
according to plan, the team recognized
that there were other ways to get the
word out, such as holding food drives,
raising money for charity and taking
advantage of social media.
Joshi's advice for cannabis retailers
who are new to the market? " Don't
give up, " he said. " This is a temporary
situation. We're all trying to penetrate the
same marketplace, and there's enough
business for everybody. Stick to your
business plan and roll it out. Keeping
your doors closed doesn't pay. "
MAKE IT AN ATTRACTION
In November, Las Vegas-based Planet 13
reopened its 2,500-square-foot Medizin
dispensary. The shop closed in October
2018 to transfer the license to the Planet 13
superstore next to the Las Vegas Strip.
Medizin did $18 million in sales the
first year it was open, with profits coming
mainly from local residents. To get the
word out that Medizin had reopened
Vish
Joshi
Establishing a marijuana retail store is
challenging in the best of times, but
opening shop while a global pandemic
is raging presents its own set of
challenges. Depending on where the
business is located, a retailer might
not be able to welcome customers
into the store or have the option of
delivery. But it is possible to succeed
with advice from those who've done it.
Retailers who have opened their doors
during the past year suggest:
* Don't give up on the hard work
you've put in to obtaining a license,
securing real estate and building
a strong foundation. The current
situation is temporary, and providing
great service during the worst of
times could win over customers for
years to come.
* Give customers a reason to visit
your shop by making it an attraction.
Examples include art installations
and limited-time offerings.
* Make online ordering and curbside
pickup easy and comfortable.
Consider using outdoor heaters and
serving hot chocolate during cold
weather or, in the heat, fans and
lemonade.
* Build community around your
shop by hosting or participating in
food drives and raising money for
charities.
May-June 2021 | mjbizdaily.com 65
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MJBizMag May-June 2021

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