WeedMD Inc's partner Tokyo Smoke and Aphria Inc. open first cannabis lifestyle shop outside Ontario

WeedMD Inc’s (CVE:WMD) partner Tokyo Smoke and Aphria Inc are continuing with its national retail expansion with the planned opening of a new outlet at Calgary, making it the brand’s first cannabis lifestyle shop outside of Ontario.

Tokyo Smoke Beltline will open in the popular downtown Beltline neighbourhood on December 7.

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The new location will offer a similar mix of cannabis lifestyle products, serve Tokyo Smoke coffee and custom tea blends, locally made grab-and-go food, and showcase works and custom products by local artists.

The Calgary location is the first of six planned retail shops in the Prairies in partnership with local hospitality company Leo’s Group.

Tokyo Smoke has also recently opened a shop in the eastern part of Toronto, and there are plans to open several other stores by the end of 2017.

Tokyo Smoke’s rapid national expansion is part of its effort to normalise cannabis consumption and create an approachable, thoughtful entry-point, via coffee and retail shops, for every cannabis curious, design-conscious Canadian.

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“Calgary is an ideal first city for our expansion for a few reasons. The Prairies have been extremely receptive to Tokyo Smoke’s vision of creating beautiful retail and cannabis experiences. Calgary has been quite supportive of us since we launched over two years ago,” said Alan Gertner, chief executive officer and co-founder of Tokyo Smoke.

Tokyo Smoke is the leading Canadian brand in the cannabis space, having recently completed its Series B fundraise, closed on the acquisition of fellow designer cannabis brand Van der Pop, partnered with Aphria as well as WeedMD.

Story by ProactiveInvestors