I visited Better by Tweed Etobicoke
I have a mixed opinions. The location is easily accessible, right next to major transit hubs and 400 series highways. Yet no visible presence yet (no signage). Was told that is being worked on right away.
Second floor of a Medical Building. If you don't know it's there, you won't see it. Discretion could be an asset or a flaw, depending on your own opinion to the business model. It is not Vancouver Pot Shop Dispensary design and store front, and for a medical program, I like that. Doctors office the very next door , pharmacy on the first floor and other medical practitioners/ specialists leased in the same facility. Good company for any LP.
Better By Tweed has a glass front door 10 steps out of the second floor elevator ~ roughly 800sq ft open concept , welcome, come on in, walk around sit down feel. The Recetionists desk is as far away from the front door as possible, so there's no intimidation at all, if someone were to be weary of entering.
Product packaging and yield guide displays in the first 20 ft. Vaporizers and inhaler displays after 30ft, both on single shelves bolted to the wall. Very Tweed design and texturing. Couches and centre table for a good sit down.
Towards the back third wall, 4 or five bar stools and appropriate height desks, each with an iPad for online registration or surfing. I went with my family and while I spoke with the receptionist, my son surfed the web. So what I'm saying is, for a "Marijuana Shop", it's very unassuming and inviting. Nowhere in comparison to your neighbourhood head shop where the counter sales person always portrays Cannabis God Guru Ego Omnipotency. I've been using Canabbis for more than two decades and have never felt so comfortable going into a Cannabis associated business location.
Continued. One reception desk. One laptop, one phone, one receptionist. I asked questions about how to get registered, about doctors, yadda yadda yah. An hr and a half later and I left registered and feeling as if I knew more about the process than when I walked in... And I never mentioned my investment or that I've been following the corporation since inception. I only asked questions I wanted to know. The receptionist there is on point. 10/10. A person knowing nothing about MMPR would leave there feeling confident about making a decision wether to continue along.
My main take away is this: I really hope the Rec MJ market for CGC stays very close to this line of customer relations. Please stay away from the Head Shop Model! It's over bearing. Not everyone uses cannabis because the love tye dye and vice versa. For example: ever walk into a beer store for your favourite brew, but the beer store stinks of old bottles? That's what walking into head shops or cannabis bombardment dispensaries would be like to unassuming visitors. Better By Tweed is clean, sanitary, welcoming and the service is very helpful.
As an investor... I'm not quite sold on its ability to bring in the droves. The MMPR is still hurdle ridden and the location may be too unknown. How many first visits, how many revisits?
Note: I wonder if the new government will maintain mail delivery in the rec market or not, only because the robberies of dispensaries is still a real issue, and it would be awful to put any employee between a gun and CGC product.
