Cannabis store grand opening
Cannabis store grand opening
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By Darren Johnson
Journal & Press
Windy Hill Wellness — our region’s first state-approved cannabis dispensary — has its grand opening/ribbon cutting today at 10:30 a.m. It’s located at 106 Main St Greenwich.
There are only 220 such dispensaries approved so far in the state.
While today is the grand opening, the store has been approved to operate for the past few weeks and has seen some traffic, but now will ramp up marketing.
I can’t make the ribbon cutting today, but decided to stop by this past week to talk with proprietor Holly Harris, who has been operating a CBD store at the location (which still is available) and now has the dispensary in an understated woodworked room with glass display cases behind the initial storefront.
Visitors interested in purchasing various cannabis products, to smoke, vape or eat, are carded in the front of the building and then can enter the more discreet room, where they can meet with Harris and get advice as to the best product for them. She said her clientele has ranged from experienced recreational users to newcomers in search of products to help with their overall wellbeing. More so, the latter, with a lot of middle-age and older customers finding their way to the store.
As for the unexpectedly subtle look of the room, Harris said, “This is what wellness looks like. We’re trying to get away from that ‘Cheech & Chong’ perception people have.”
Harris added that her prices are only a bit higher than black market, but what she offers is locally sourced and state vetted. “What you see on the package is what you get,” she said, showing me a half an ounce of Slack Hollow Organics (Argyle, NY) titled “Headband.”
“What you’re looking at is a half, and it’s $135,” she said. “Black market, an ounce may be $200, so you’re paying a little bit more but you know this has been tested, you know its cultivator, its distributor, has been certified by the state.”
Headband is 26.5% THC and 32% cannabinoids and is described as a “euphoric headrush” with a “relaxing come-down.”
“It’s more than just THC,” Harris said. “Then you can look at the buds — they have a really nice, tight trim to them, there’s not a lot of leaf.”
Harris knows that her window of opportunity to establish a successful cannabis store may be short, as other stores will be popping up in neighboring towns, once they receive their approvals. But Harris said she offers a different vibe that most others.
“I don't really feel it is competition just a different atmosphere,” she said. “All of us in the venture are passionate about what we do. I have visited several shops and we are there to support each other. If I don't have what a customer is looking for, I will send them to another shop.”
I’d describe that vibe as mellow and new-age. Harris said that’s intentional, to convey that they are educationally focused.
“Yes, we can educate and guide you on this, starting low is key and understanding how THC can affect you,” she said.
Harris sees repeat business as the key to success, so wants to make sure each customer’s needs are heard and met.
As the business builds, she will add more “budtenders.”
“I have staff coming onboard that are passionate about cannabis and cannot wait to share their knowledge and guidance,” she added.
You can learn more at WindyHillWellness.com.
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