Eden opens cannabis shop in Garden City

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This article was published 20/04/2021 (1856 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A cannabis shop new to Garden City is eager to develop its presence in the community.

Eden Cannabis, which has been around for more than a decade, opened the doors to its first Canada retail store at 2230 McPhillips St. on Feb. 13.

“Eden decided to open up in Winnipeg because it was a great opportunity to bring locals a cannabis store focused on premium product(s). Eden was actively seeking out potential markets to operate in and we saw there were several underserved areas. We wanted to fill that gap with a great shop and great people and I think we did just that,” Brittney Hutnik, chief operating officer of Eden Empire, said in an email.

There are dozens of pot shops across the city, but only a few in northwest Winnipeg. Location manager Emma Altman said it’s Eden’s efforts to collaborate with the community that sets it apart from other cannabis shops.

For example, the inside of Eden is covered with artwork by local artist Pedro Reis. And, for 4/20 — or April 20, a day internationally celebrated by weed consumers every year — Eden partnered with Reis to give away two customized pairs of shoes to lucky contest winners. The shop also curated special themed packages with products from local businesses.

Although the shop has been open only for a couple of months, it’s already gaining regular customers, explained Altman, who has worked in the cannabis industry for three years.

“I do find that a lot of customers are coming in just from somebody referring them,” she said. “(It’s) been really awesome for us to see that the community is talking (about Eden).”

Customers can find all sorts of hardware such as vaporizers, grinders, papers and pipes.

Eden’s menu offers “high-quality selections and a different menu than all the other stores in the area,” Altman said.

Products include pre-rolls, oils, beverages, and various strains of cannabis from producers like 7 Acres, Blissco Reserve, Doja, Color Cannabis, Grail, Qwest, Tantalus Labs, and Whistler Cannabis Co.

Eden Empire carefully curates its menu, according to the company’s website. It ensures the cannabis has a distinct aroma, is dense and fit for grinding, and has a smooth, pleasurable taste.

“What makes the cut are the products that have a decent moisture content, a big nose, good bud structure, good flavour, and a clean burn,” the website says.

The company is looking to expand its retail locations across Canada and the United States. Earlier this month, it was announced the company plans to establish its second brick-and-mortar shop in Vancouver.