With marijuana being legalized, there is a demand to set up retail stores in various communities.
Kamloops is no different – they’ll eventually be home to a mix of government run and private cannabis stores.
The government stores are ahead of the curve, but City Business Licence Inspector David Jones doesn’t think the government has called dibs on all the good spots.
“In Valleyview and Dallas and Westsyde and Brock, there’s lots of locations out there,” Jones said.
“The downtown and the Tranquille Corridor, big interest in that area. I would say people are looking at a larger amount of stores in some areas, but there isn’t an indication that the province has taken all the good spots. That’s for sure.”
He added the City is using the same application process for all stores – whether government run or private.
“As a good businessman, you look into the market at who your clientele would be. Maybe it wouldn’t be a good idea to have five stores in a small area,” added Jones.
“There is a good cross section of private stores reaching into other areas. I think the businessmen are dong their homework, and looking to reach out into an area where they would have an advantage.”
A couple of private store applications will go before City Council on October 30 for approval. Even if they’re approved, they likely will be someways away from opening.