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A cannabis grower says they are starting with two locations in Manitoba, including one in St. Vital they’re calling a pot “superstore.”

Delta 9 announced Monday they are planning a location in St. Vital Square, located on Dakota Street, which will be a 3,200 square foot outlet. Called the Delta 9 Cannabis Store, the location will open on Oct. 17, the first day of pot legalization in Canada.

D’Arcy Bain owns a physiotherapy business just a few doors down from the pot shop. He said there are a lot of unknowns, including what exactly Delta 9 will be selling and how it plans to protect its stash.

“I don’t know what their set-up will be regarding security, ’cause security is a big deal next to us at the liquor store and so those types of things have to be addressed,” Bain said.

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The St. Vital store will be larger than most of the planned Delta 9 locations, and will include a “cannabis education centre” in-store, said Marshall Posner, spokesperson for Delta 9.

Next door at Booster Juice, workers are anticipating higher foot traffic.

“I feel like every person that goes in there will come in here after to get a smoothie, food, juice, so I feel like it’s a good idea,” employee Stephanie Ostrowsky said.

The cannabis shop is in a high traffic area and across the street from the St. Vital Centre.

It’s also within 1.5 kilometres away from five schools, a library and a community centre.

The close proximity has some in the neighbourhood concerned.

“Putting it in an area where there is a lot of children maybe is not the best idea,” Christina Friesen said.

“Especially with today’s teenagers and young people, the influence is just too close,” Carol Pucknell agreed.

Delta 9’s second location will be in downtown Thompson at the City Centre Mall, next to anchor tenants like Safeway and Walmart.

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“I don’t think you could find a better location in Thompson,” said Posner. “This really is ground zero for retail in the city.”

The retailer is waiting for approval for two more locations, including a store in Osborne Village and downtown Brandon, said Posner.

Pot grower Tweed also announced three locations in the province, although they were short on specifics. They said they will open two locations in Winnipeg and one in Brandon.

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