A family with ties to Sarnia-Lambton is hoping to bring a unique cannabis retail experience to the city.
Bluewater Joint is one of eight proposed stores in Sarnia, according to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's (AGCO) website.
Applicant Jessica Plata said her aunt used to run a flower shop in Sarnia years ago.
She's happy to be able to offer people a different type of flower once they're cleared to open at 940 Murphy Road.
"Our store is for the people of Sarnia, we're family owned and operated and community driven," said Plata. "We plan on sticking to that and plan on being there for the community of Sarnia, and whatever customers want we'll bring into the store. A lot of the other stores, like Sessions, are big corporate. They're not in it to kind of adapt to the city. I think that's our niche."
Plata said the store recently passed the first AGCO inspection, but she hasn't been given a timeline for final inspection and opening date.
Due to the backlog of applications, Plata said the store might not be operational until May of 2021. The AGCO said it can only approve about 20 applications per month.
Plata has experience in the cannabis sector. She and her husband operate Ancaster Joint in Ancaster. That store was randomly selected to open in February as part of the province's lottery process.
There are a total of eight proposed cannabis stores in Sarnia, and one in Grand Bend, none of which have been approved yet.
The most recent application in the city is for True North Cannabis Company at 129 Mitton St. S.