From Kenora to Kitchener, cannabis stores will be popping up all over the province this year

The next wave of cannabis retailers in Ontario will soon be felt across the province, with dozens of the 42 approved applicants completing the required 15-day public notice period and poised to open their doors in the coming months.

As reported in 2019, Ontario will soon start authorizing 20 new stores a month, meaning there could be close to 250 stores up and running by the end of next year.

Where exactly are these new stores located and what are some intriguing facts behind their location or owners? The GrowthOp has mapped and listed which outlets we expect to open in 2020, according to online data provided by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, laid out alphabetically by region.

Aurora

Jane’s Cannabis Shop, 160 Wellington St. E., Unit 3

15-day public notice: In progress, ends Jan. 21

Store application status: In progress

Barrie

One Plant Essa Road, 231 Essa Rd.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

The lottery winner for this location, realtor Michael Hassey, announced in late 2019 he “has entered into a license agreement with One Plant to use the brand for his store. One Plant is a JV between Aleafia Health and The Serruya Family.” GrowthOp readers will remember that we reported on how One Plant is seeking to launch a store in Toronto’s Kensington Market, which has faced some backlash from local business owners.

Brampton

360 Cannabis, 2933 Queen St. E., Unit E5

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Burlington

Friendly Stranger Plains Rd., 1025 Plains Rd. E.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

This is one of six upcoming locations for Friendly Stranger, an established paraphernalia cannabis-culture store headquartered on Toronto’s Queen Street. In an interview, Friendly Stranger president James Jesty said his company is pursuing partnerships with cannabis-lottery winners in Ontario if they themselves don’t get drawn.

But that’s not all. The original winner for this location is Cory Floyd Cacciavillani, whose father is Cole Cacciavillani, one of the founders of Leamington, Ont.-based licensed producer Aphria. The elder Cacciavillani is no longer with the company, but remains a large shareholder, as the Financial Post reports.

Hunny Pot Cannabis Co., 1505 Guelph Line, Unit 3-4

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Similar to how the Tokyo Smoke brand is expanding its presence across the province, so too is Hunny Pot, which launched its debut store during the first rollout of cannabis stores in early 2019 in downtown Toronto.

Corner Cannabis New St., 3007 New St.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Cambridge

Tokyo Smoke, 75 Pinebush Rd., Unit D5

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Tokyo Smoke, Canopy Growth’s retail brand, is wasting no time setting up more of its red-branded stores in Ontario, with 10 new stores set to open in the first half of 2020, including Cambridge’s first and sole cannabis outlet.

Collingwood

Sessions Cannabis Collingwood, 312 Hurontario St.

Status: Now open

Collingwood’s first cannabis store, which opened its doors in December 2019, is run by Sessions Cannabis. Sessions also has a location on Toronto’s Kingston Rd.

Dundas

Friendly Stranger, 112-101 Osler Dr.

15-day public notice: In progress, ends Jan. 21

Store application status: In progress

Hamilton

Ancaster Joint, 1142 Wilson St. W, Unit 9

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Tokyo Smoke, 235 James St. N.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Kenora

TBD, 420 2nd St. S.

15-day public notice: Not started

Store application status: In progress

This application hasn’t had a smooth ride since its licence holder won the lottery in August. The AGDCO website notes its original holder was disqualified under Rule 14a of the Cannabis Retail Store Allocation Lottery Rules, and then the location was awarded to another lottery applicant vying for the same address. It’s unclear which of the documents or fees required in 14a were not handed over within the five business days of the AGCO contacting the licence holder.

Kitchener

Meta Cannabis Co., 589 Fairway Rd. S.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Meta Growth has mainly launched stores in Manitoba, with nine open so far, and one store serving Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It also operates stores branded as NewLeaf, with 25 locations available.

London

Friendly Stranger, 1135 Richmond St.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

This London cannabis store, under the Friendly Stranger banner, will be the closest cannabis store to Western University, located near the school’s main gates.

Nipissing FN

Northern Zen Cannabis, 76 Osprey Miikan

15-day public notice: n/a

Store application status: In progress

North Bay

Tokyo Smoke, 390 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 3

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Oshawa

Friendly Stranger, 204 Ritson Rd. N., Suite C5.5

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Ottawa

One Plant Barrhaven, 4335 Strandherd Dr., Units 3-5

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

As The GrowthOpwrote, this One Plant location will be giving suburban Ottawa its first cannabis store. Its retail neighbours in the strip mall include the Barrhaven Costco, Sleep Country Canada and a Tutti Frutti restaurant.

Hobo Recreational Cannabis Store, 121 Clarence St.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Hobo Cannabis reached an agreement with three licence winners from the second lottery and will soon open three new stores, including this location in Ottawa, and another one in Timmins.

Tokyo Smoke, 1000 Wellington St. W, Unit 101

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

ABC Cannabis, 1642 Merivale Rd., Unit A1014A

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

This store was originally supposed to open in Lindsay, but lottery winner Gerrit Murray switched the location to Ottawa instead.

Peterborough

Grower’s Retail, 225 George St. N.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Sault Ste. Marie

TBD, 317 Northern Ave. E.

15-day public notice: n/a

Store application status: In progress

St. Catharines

Corner Cannabis, 395 Ontario St., Suite B2

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Stoney Creek

MIHI, 1370 S Service Rd., Bldg A, Unit 3

15-day public notice: In progress, end Jan. 11

Store application status: In progress

Tokyo Smoke, 2257 Rymal Rd. E., Unit D-1

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Thunder Bay

Tokyo Smoke, 1082 Memorial Ave.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Timmins

TBD, 993 Riverside Dr.

15-day public notice: Not started

Store application status: In progress

While the AGCO site hasn’t listed Hobo Cannabis as the brand behind this Timmins outlet, TimminsToday.com reports “Hobo Cannabis has a brand licence and service agreement with the company who will be operating it.” The outlet is expected to open by March.

Toronto

Tokyo Smoke, 570 Bloor St. W.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Sessions, 964 Kingston Rd.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

The Sessions website says this outlet will open at some point in January 2020.

Tokyo Smoke, 21 Bloor St. E.

15-day public notice: In progress, ends Jan. 11

Store application status: In progress

Tokyo Smoke will be trying to stake Yorkville ground in a head-to-head competition with already-entrenched Ameri on Cumberland Street., and Fire & Flower on Bloor.

One Plant, 241 Augusta Ave.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Read all about the controversial background of this new Kensington Market cannabis store — opening before a nearby, longtime cannabis lounge owner had a chance to open up shop.

Tokyo Smoke, 1303 Queen St. E.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Zoe’s Cannabis, 1180 Queen St. W.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Friendly Stranger, 237 Queen St. W.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Friendly Stranger’s long-time non-cannabis-selling store is at 241 Queen St. W., so having a retailer steps away from its array of bongs, vaporizers and pipes will be convenient.

Friendly Time, 244 Queen St. W.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Canvas Retail Cannabis Store, 730 Danforth Ave., Suite 1

Status: Now open

TBD, 2464 Dufferin St.

15-day public notice: Not started

Store application status: In progress

Friendly Stranger, 501 Church St., Unit 4B

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Shiny Bud, 2625 Weston Rd.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Meta Cannabis Co., 378 Yonge St.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Waterloo

Bud & Sally Cannabis Co., 32 King St. S.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

Whitchurch-Stouffville

One Plant, 5779 Main St., Unit 105

Status: Now open, since early January

Windsor

Rose City Cannabis, 545 Ouellette Ave.

15-day public notice: Completed

Store application status: In progress

In a strange move, the City of Windsor released a 23-page report explaining why they are objecting to this cannabis store being located at 545 Oullette Avenue. The Windsor Star writes the issues raised include “security concerns about the building and its rear alley, potential traffic congestion, and most notably concerns about loitering. Police also note the rising number of calls to the 500 block of Ouellette for such issues as fights, disorderly conduct, thefts, assaults, parking complaints, drunks and suspicious persons.”

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