Fivepoint Cannabis
Welcome to IRCC's Retailer Spotlight, where we shine a light on the incredible independent cannabis retailers shaping the industry. 🌿✨ Each week, we celebrate the passion, dedication, and unique stories behind our valued partners. These retailers not only provide exceptional customer experiences but also contribute to the growth and innovation of the cannabis community. 💚
This week, we’re thrilled to feature Alena from Fivepoint Cannabis in Calgary, Alberta 🙌
What inspired you to open a cannabis retail store? 🌿✨
Alena has been a cannabis activist for over 20 years. Having grown up near Vancouver, cannabis had always been culturally relevant to her, especially with sharing one of the most important activism days, April 20th, as a birthday. The parties had been great. The culture of sharing, giving, and participating in what was always a peaceful day of protest, usually followed by an extravagant meal , lends to the history of FivePoint's brand.
The story behind FivePoint is simple: we're a small chain of boutique cannabis shops in art galleries. Art has acted as a conduit for legalization and, as an homage to where cannabis came from and where it is going, FivePoint stands to keep Old School Cannabis Culture alive. ✊🌱
Many cannabis plants showcase a five-pointed leaf, hence the name. Our logo represents the feminine nature of the plant with geometric sections as a nod to the crystals in the plant itself. 💎
How does being an independent cannabis retailer shape your approach to business compared to corporate chains? 🤝
We lead with people first. From having a tight team of multiple-year long tenures to supporting local and legacy growers, and showcasing Canadian makers in our space 🇨🇦, FivePoint prides itself as a cornerstone of our community—both with the geographic locations in which we serve and the greater cannabis community across Canada.
How has being a member of the IRCC helped add value to your business? 🌐🌟
In a world in which protectionist laws were stripped away early on, every little bit counts towards our bottom line. The IRCC has helped larger companies find value in communicating with smaller independents, while also allowing smaller growers and micro facilities to reach a broader audience. Retailers, ultimately, act as marketers and promoters for many of the brands we carry, and the IRCC has allowed equity in that system.
Can you describe your store’s vibe or atmosphere? 🌸
A beautiful interior adorned with local art , along with a "less is more" approach to our curated menu, contributes to a laid-back vibe. We focus on the details, from music curation nodding to the art of legalization to calming green spaces and ambient lighting, creating shops that feel comfortable for cannabis connoisseurs and newbies alike.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an independent cannabis retailer in your province?
Changing legislation , market saturation , and the inability to allocate products from our wholesalers remain key challenges.
Who is your favorite IRCC member benefit partner? 🌟
We can't pick just one! We're happy to see many brands supporting this platform. 🙌
What brands in the market currently excite you and why? 🔥
We love seeing legacy growers making the leap into the legal cannabis industry 🌱, such as Gorilla Gardens and Sweetgrass. Supporting women-owned companies like Blunt Botanicals and Manna Days is also a priority. Of course, we admire our hyper-micro pals such as Headstone, and original license holders like Joi and Good Buds, who are still thriving. 🌟
What is the most rewarding aspect of running an independent cannabis retail store? 🏆
Being a front-runner in what will become a global industry has been incredibly rewarding. Building a community of like-minded people who work with us, shop with us, and support us has been monumental. FivePoint's journey—from becoming a poster child for early legalization to founding the Bridgeland Business Association—has profoundly shaped Alena's career.
How do you stay informed and ahead in this rapidly evolving industry?
We rely on our community 🤝, stay apprised of trends through publications and subscriptions, attend events, and host our own, always fostering community.
How do you envision your store and the independent cannabis retail landscape evolving over the next five years? 🚀
We hope to see fewer regulatory restrictions in terms of ordering, allowing smaller stores to function similarly to the "white labelling" programs currently offered at larger scales. 🏬 In a perfect world, we aim for complete vertical integration prior to cannabis-forward hospitality licensing, achieving parity with alcohol legislation. We’re also excited by the prospect of cannabis-licensed places of consumption.
If your store had a signature product or strain, what would it be and why? 🌟
Our local and legacy selection. While rotational, we maintain a 90-day guarantee on all flower products, ensuring everything is fresh, every time. 🌸💨
