News

Kelowna stores make the cut

Published on February 5, 2019 by David Wylie

Kelowna has notified 15 cannabis retail store applicants they’ve cleared the first steps for a licence.

Nearly 40 applicants went through a two-month review that’s been described as “nerve-wracking.” However, there are still a few steps to go before they’re able to sell cannabis.

They will have to go through a public rezoning process with the city, followed by a process with the province before earning their licence.

Those that made it through include Starbuds Canada, Mary Jane’s Headquarters – under the name Cheeba Cheeba, Zen Canna, Grasshopper Cannabis, National Access Cannabis, and BC Cannabis Stores.

• Check out the oz.’s map of retail locations

Five of the successful applicants – those that scored within five percent and located within 500 metres of each other – were decided through a lottery.

The city said some of the applicants that were unsuccessful in moving forward either didn’t provide enough information, or the proposed location was too close to sensitive uses, such as supportive housing, social services offices or major child care centres.

Starbuds Canada, which was successful in its Kelowna application, is nearly set to open a store in Lake Country. It’s now waiting on final approvals from the province.

Here are the links to the application page on the city website:

Z19-0004– 1675-1677 Commerce Avenue
Z19-0005– 547-559 Bernard Avenue
Z19-0006– 401 Glenmore Road
Z19-0008– 2090 Harvey Avenue
Z19-0010– 1455-1475 Harvey Avenue
Z19-0013– 3818 Gordon Drive
Z19-0018– 2339-2397 Hwy 97 North
Z19-0023– 1977 Kirschner Road
Z19-0024– 1310 St. Paul Street
Z19-0025– 889 Vaughan Avenue
Z19-0026– 140-160 Rutland Road South
Z19-0028– 175 Old Vernon Road, 2053, 2065 &2115 Rutland Court
Z19-0029– 2121 Springfield Road
Z19-0031– 1100 Lawrence Avenue
Z19-0034– 5505-5507 Airport Way