It’s been over a year since the first licensed retail cannabis store opened up in the Pembroke area.
Owner and operator at OVCS (Ottawa Valley Cannabis Store), Ryan Labelle, says a lot has changed in the last year.
OVCS, located at 1035 Pembroke Street East, officially celebrated their one year anniversary on Saturday, September 25th, 2021.
Labelle says when they first opened up shop they had 67 items available and would sell out on a weekly basis, now they have roughly 915 products in stock on any given day.
Products offered include cannabis flower, pre-rolls, vaporizers, seeds, concentrates such as hash and shatter, THC or CBD infused drinks, candies, lip balm, bath bombs and even cannabis infused face-masks.
OVCS is the first of five cannabis stores that opened in the Pembroke area, along with Valley Cannabis, Budget Bud, Kushy’s and Collective Growers.
Labelle believes the market is large, adding there’s room for everyone and says that cooperation in the industry will benefit consumers.
Labelle says OVCS has created nine jobs in the community and carries products from other local businesses.
He adds shopping local and supporting stores like OVCS benefits the community.
The owner at OVCS says like many other small businesses, the COVID-19 presented challenges and at one point customers weren’t even aloud in the store.
Labelle says staff had to be creative and think ahead to continue providing customers with information on a wide variety of topics and help where needed.
He adds OVCS is extremely grateful for all the community support over the last year.
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