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The grass is greener at Garden Variety Brandon

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/11/2020 (1974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With several options to choose from, picking the right cannabis retailer might seem like a tough task.

However, the staff at Brandon’s Garden Variety location at 1350 18th St. lead the way with friendly, knowledgeable service that benefits both newcomers and experienced customers alike.

Visitors quickly get the impression that their grass is indeed greener.

Garden Variety is a partnership between Fisher River Cree Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Mera Cannabis Corp. and MediPharm Labs. Operational support is provided by partner, Native Roots Cannabis Co. located in Colorado.

The Brandon location, which opened on December 23, 2019, is one of three the company runs — all in friendly Manitoba. You’ll be seeing them elsewhere soon though — regional manager Sheilagh Dohie said the goal is to expand across Canada in the months and years ahead.

Dohie said that Manitoba has really embraced the brand and she believes that’s in large part due to the inviting design of their stores. Part of that inviting nature comes from the front-to-back friendly design. Unlike other cannabis retailers, Garden Variety’s windows aren’t papered over or blocked.

Inside, you’ll see that Garden Variety takes its name very seriously. 

There are over 50 varieties of cannabis flower in different sizes to appeal to all consumers.

The selection of edibles has something for everyone, coming as chocolates, cookies, tea, beverage drops, soluble powder, canned and bottled drinks, gummies and mints.

With pre-rolls, concentrates, topicals and capsules also available, Garden Variety has something for everyone.

“Things have been going very well,” store manager Dane Watson said. “The store has been getting busier the longer we’ve been open. With COVID-19 there were some changes for us as a new business starting up, but all in all our trends are pointing in the right direction.”

Watson leads the 10-person team, which is comprised of a variety of diverse and experienced Mood Makers.

“The education that our Mood Makers give to our clients is what keeps a lot of people coming back,” Watson said. “Especially for people who are new to cannabis. I think Garden Variety does a very good job explaining how cannabis can affect people and we really take the time to talk to our customers to tell them what to expect. I think the customers really appreciate that.”

“They’re welcoming, they’re personable, they’re knowledgeable,” Dohie said.

This safe, friendly environment is why Watson said he was inspired to apply to work for the company in the first place.

While there may still be some societal stigma around cannabis use, Garden Variety has set up its operations to chip away at that and be there for people who are interested in giving the product a try in a safe way.

Watson said that for a new customer, he would get to know them a little bit and see what their prior experiences with cannabis have been like to figure out some suggestions.

“Sometimes it might take five minutes, other times it might take an hour,” he said. “Everyone’s different in their experiences. The best thing we can do is being open about what we are and what we’re doing.”

Now that Garden Variety has been established in Brandon, the company is laying down roots and committing to being an active member of the community.

As part of that, the company has proudly joined the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

This Christmas, Garden Variety will take another step and sponsor a full Christmas hamper for a Brandon family to make their holidays bright and merry.

To keep customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, safety measures were implemented quickly and ahead of the government health order early on. Staff wore masks early on to keep the customer safe, and offers disposable masks at the front desk for those who need one. Hand sanitizer is also available from a hands-free dispenser in the lobby.

Cleaning protocols have been enhanced with a contractor providing a deep clean three times per week and plexiglass barriers have been put up at points of sale.

Normally, cannabis flowers would be available for customers to experience the aromas of the signature bud wall, helping them make purchasing decisions. However, that has been temporarily paused during the pandemic.

The number of customers allowed to enter at once has been temporarily decreased, to ensure social distancing can take place with ease.

With caring staff, a friendly layout and a great selection, at Brandon’s Garden Variety you’ll see that it’s anything but ordinary.