Victoria shop is one step closer to opening

The Jubilee neighbourhood of Victoria is one step closer to having a new kind of cannabis shop.

At a public hearing on Thursday, Nov. 12, Victoria City Council approved a rezoning application for Pacificanna’s new space at 1881 Fort St., clearing a major hurdle on the path to opening day. Now Pacificanna can initiate the background check process with the provincial government — a process that takes months, but the company has passed many times before.

“We’re incredibly excited,” says Darren Saunders, of Pacificanna. “It’s taken a year to get to this spot, working with the landlord and the city. There’s a big gap in service in that area along the border with Oak Bay, so we’re excited to charge ahead with submitting the building permit.”

What to expect from the Pacificanna experience

The new Fort Street store will follow the model Pacificanna has established at their other locations in Fairfield Victoria, Port Hardy and Williams Lake, where browsing is easy and everyone is welcome.

“In the ‘grey market’ days most first-generation cannabis dispensaries kept all their products behind the counter, but at Pacificanna customers can walk the aisles and view products themselves,” Saunders says.

If you want more information or help narrowing down your options, the friendly staff are happy to answer questions, but if you’re not in the mood to chat with a budtender you can shop on your own.

“We’ve had great feedback from customers at our three existing stores in Williams Lake, Port Hardy and Fairfield Plaza in Victoria. In Fairfield our average customer age is easily 50-plus, and new customers often tell us ‘this store is so nice, and nothing like I expected!’”

The clean, bright, inviting store aims to be accessible to all, whether you’re an experienced user or new to cannabis. And as the Pacificanna network continues to grow, rest assured that every store will operate to the same high standard.

“Even the cabinetry and lay-out is the same across all of our stores. You’ll know you’re in a Pacificanna store as soon as you step inside,” Saunders says.

Vancouver Island-owned Pacificanna has other expansion projects in the works which are currently making their way through municipal approvals and provincial background checks, so there could be a store opening soon in your neighbourhood. Saunders plans to expand the network across British Columbia in the coming years.

Visit Pacificanna in Victoria at 1560 Fairfield Rd. (in the Fairfield Plaza), in Port Hardy at #2-7035 Market St. and in Williams Lake at 3015 MacKenzie Ave. North. Keep up with the latest news on the 1881 Fort St. location by following Pacificanna on Facebook and Instagram!

* Pacificanna is a licensed cannabis retailer. Only individuals 19 years of age or older are allowed on the premises and ID is checked