TOKE Cannabis opens up first shop in Niagara Falls
More stores planned for St. Catharines, Welland, Fort Erie, Beamsville
Celebrating its grand opening on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls on Monday, TOKE Cannabis says it plans to have a presence across the region in the coming weeks and year.
Owner Katy Perry said in addition to the location at 8568 Lundy’s Lane, between Kalar and Garner roads, the company will roll out two more retail stores in three weeks — one at 243 Welland Avenue in St. Catharines, and another in Toronto.
She said stores will follow in Hamilton, Midland, Beamsville, Welland and Fort Erie in the new year.
“For me, this is really a labour of love,” said Perry.
“I originally come from the legacy market. I had medical dispensaries. I taught people how to grow in hydroponic stores. I used to run weekly seminal classes on how to grow your own pot.
“The fact that we got our licence and now we can help the recreational user find the product for them is just a dream come true.”
She said while she’s from Toronto, the 10-or-so-member staff from the Lundy’s Lane store are from Niagara Falls.
Perry said she has friends in Niagara Falls who convinced her the city is “the place” to open TOKE Cannabis’ first Ontario location.
“Hopefully, we’ll have about 25 (locations across the province) in the next few years,” she said.
“We try to test everything personally that we carry here, so that we can really stand behind the products that we’re offering.”
Perry said people who visit the store will quickly come to understand how “this is a passion project for us.”
“When you come here, you’re going to hear Bob Marley — everybody has a good vibe,” she said.
She adds the store carries “everything” from “bangers for your dab rig,” to pre-roll, oil or topical products.
“We have everything from budget weed all the way up to very, very top shelf. Even our budget strains are very high quality and you’re going to find that they do the trick.”
Perry said she likes that “everything is tested” in the legal marijuana market.
“There’s no question about what kind of product you’re getting, so I think, as a consumer, the legal recreational market is just fantastic, and it just gets better every day.”
She said the Lundy’s Lane location was chosen “sort of” from a strategic standpoint.
“We wanted to make sure that we serve the locals of Niagara Falls, first and foremost, and then tourists, secondary.”
Perry said the Niagara region is “sort of known for its love of cannabis,” which is why she believes it can sustain many cannabis stores.
She said it feels “amazing,” “exciting,” and “invigorating” to be part of the booming legal cannabis market.
“We’re seeing great things from the producers. We’re seeing really cool products come down the pipeline.”
The Niagara Falls location is open Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.