Princeton’s first cannabis shop is set to open soon, on Vermilion Avenue in the former home of Coco’s Bistro, according to town CAO Lyle Thomas.
At its last meeting, council approved a site-specific zoning change allowing the shop to proceed.
The proprietor is Atheneum Cannabis, a Vancouver company which opened its first retail cannabis store in that city in June, 2020.
A spokesperson for the company did not return The Spotlight’s call before press time.
However, a staff council report indicates the store’s license would allow it to operate seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The municipality received one submission, during its consultation process, regarding the plan.
Carole Tang, owner of a nearby motel, expressed extreme opposition.
“The school bus pick-up station is nearby. Many young kids come around every day. It’s very dangerous for kids,” her letter stated.
“It will put our area in a more dangerous situation. Who could guarantee there are not drug traffickers…(coming around)?”
The town paved the way for cannabis retail business earlier year, when it struck a policy that would allow its site specific approval within certain zones.
Later council voted to give conditional approval to the applicant to go ahead.
According to Thomas the building is now undergoing renovations. “There is quite of list of things that the province requires.”
The staff report stated “no significant negative impact on the community is anticipated if the application is approved.”
Thomas said it’s council goal to promote business.
“Any new business, that’s a good thing.”
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