(This story was updated to add new information.)
MASSILLON – The city’s first cannabis shop is open.
Bloom cannibis began welcoming customers on Aug. 22 to its shop at 254 Federal Ave. NW in the Towne Plaza Shopping Center. The location is the former home of Fat Daddy’s meat store.
“We’ve had a very good reception here. It’s nice to have a warm welcome into the community as we start out,” said Joseph McGuinn, assistant general manager at Bloom.
Massillon resident Guy Metz said he’s ecstatic to have a dispensary close to home.
“I’m definitely very happy that I no longer have to go to Canton,” Metz said. “It’s nice to be able to walk (to a shop).”
The store, which sells recreational and medical marijuana, is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
“We think our shop will fill (distance) gaps in the (marijuana) market and make it easier for medical patients,” said McGuinn, adding that Bloom has 13 employees.
The company has other locations in Akron and Painesville.
Bloom cannabis in Massillon has multiple marijuana products
Specific cannabis products available include flower, vape, topical lotion, gummies, peanut butter and beverage varieties, according to McGuinn.
Massillon Mayor Jamie Slutz acknowledged the Bloom opening Aug. 22, and said the business falls in line with a majority of city voters.
“This marks an important step in implementing the will of the voters, while ensuring that cannabis is regulated safely, and accessible under state law,” the mayor said.
A second operator in the city, Story cannabis, will be housed in the old Payless ShoeSource building at 1930 Lincoln Way E in Massillon, near the Target department store.
Story is expected to open in the coming weeks, according to its website, storycannabis.com.
There are a handful of other marijuana dispensaries located throughout Stark County, including Canton and Alliance.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: ‘Warm welcome.’ Bloom cannabis becomes Massillon’s first marijuana shop
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Independent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
