Cannabis crowds a bummer for neighbours
The runaway success of one Calgary cannabis store has it nipping its hours in the bud.
Since it opened Wednesday morning on the first day of marijuana legalization, Four20 Premium Market at the Southland Crossing shopping centre has attracted sizable outdoor lineups lasting until its maximum 2 a.m. closing time.
For some neighbours, that nighttime experience has been less than mellow.
The store has agreed to dial back its closing time by four hours, to 10 p.m., for the next few days, said Ryan Kaye, its vice-president of operations.
“There were a few noise complaints so we’ve gone to a 10 p.m. closing, at our expense, for the sake of the community,” said Kaye.
“It’s been peaceful, but 200 people make noise.”
With only two cannabis retailers open so far, anyone seeking legal bud in the Calgary area have been funnelled to them, or to Alberta Gaming Liquor Cannabis’ (AGLC) online shop.
That’s expected to change in the coming days, with seven more Calgary locations having received their interim AGLC licence, which allows them to receive and sell marijuana.
Even with the limited number of Calgary stores, the pot-hungry crowds have been surprisingly relentless, said Dave Crapper, spokesman for Alcanna, which operates Nova Cannabis Willow Park.
“I don’t think anyone knew how strong demand would be,” he said.
But the store at 10816 Macleod Tr. S.E. hasn’t received noise complaints, though it has been closing at 10 p.m.
And they’ve been working to maintain good relations with their strip mall neighbours, said Crapper.
“We’ve been very careful with businesses in the neighbourhood, we make sure we buy from the local guys,” he said.
Back at Southland Crossing, a manager at pizza restaurant PZA said the crowds attracted by Four20 have boosted local business and even brightened the mood.
“Four20’s been great to work with, there’s been a good energy in the parking lot and people seem happy all around,” said Alex Shvartsburd, whose colleagues have been selling pizza to people as they queue up for pot.