A Winnipeg entrepreneur is getting ready to open Virden’s very first cannabis store.
Keith Horn and his business partner are starting renovations this week to convert 163 Nelson St. West into a cannabis retail outlet. That’s the former location of Keystone Wealth Management and Yochim’s Carpet and Flooring.
Horn says the new store will be called Cannabis 204, and he expects it to be open for business between Nov. 1 and 15.
The location is being updated to include a showroom area to display products, office space in back, and a vault. Horn says there are strict rules on storage of legal cannabis products in the retail environment.
“We have to build a vault. It’s not like a bank vault but a very secure room. The bulk of the products have to be in there at all times.”
Horn says the manager they recruited for the new store is experienced in cannabis retail. He will likely hire four full- and part-time employees.
“We’ll put in a manager (from Sask.) who knows the business and the goal is to hire local people, train them, and hopefully someone will shine and take over as the manager.”
Horn and his business partner co-own the Northern Hotel on Winnipeg’s Main St. Their application for a cannabis retail license in Virden was granted in May of this year when the provincial government drew names randomly from all entries submitted by pre-screened applicants.
