'We're ready to rock': 3 marijuana businesses push for December, January openings

Up to three marijuana establishments — two retail storefronts and one store and consumption lounge — could be opening their doors in different areas of Port Huron in a matter of weeks.

JARS Cannabis, Ox Tail Inc., and Exhibit Cannabis each went before the city’s planning commission earlier this year for the required special use permits before much of the related construction got underway this summer and fall.

JARS Cannabis, which took over the provisional license approved for a retail spot at Huron Avenue and Quay Street in the city’s downtown, has signs posted that it will be open by Dec. 1.

“I’m delighted to share that JARS Cannabis Director of Operations, Marcel Kattula, has confirmed the successful completion of construction at our JARS Port Huron facility,” JARS spokesperson Ally Galanty said in an email late Tuesday morning. “Additionally, we have commenced our staffing recruitment process for this location and are currently working towards a tentative opening date within the next 30 days.”

The JARS location is a bookend to the Quay Street block that’s been bought and redeveloped by entities under developer Gene Harrison — with Wings Etc. at the other end, and Bootleggers Axe Co. and the MoonCursor speakeasy in between as part of a wider entertainment district effort.

Uptown, where Ernest Camera Shoppe closed at 1600 Pine Grove Ave. in September, Ox Tail is looking at opening its own cannabis storefront in mid-January.

Chris Aiello, a partner for the operator, said they’re excited about the slated opening, adding some construction was underway last week with their contractor expected to be “full-steam ahead” this week.

According to site plans originally submitted to the city, Ox Tail would be refitting the circular camera shoppe with a facility dubbed “Moses Roses.”

One site is off the beaten path

Mark Aubrey, of Exhibit Cannabis Co., said he expected their location to be up and running by the end of the year or in December.

Unlike the other two locations, its facility upgrades are much more visible from the exterior.

Last a small office building at 1033 River St., the formerly light brick façade is now a solid black. Inside, the dispensary will be on the lower level, while the lounge will be on top.

“It’s going to be a new modern look with some artwork and things like that. Hence, the name the Exhibit,” Aubrey said late last week. “… That’s what we’re actually working on right now is the final touches as far as that goes on the inside.”

The site itself is more tucked behind a neighborhood and away from the major throughway with heavier traffic like that shared by the downtown and Pine Grove stores. It’s also on the Black River.

“Since we put the signs up, there’s about 20 to 25 people a day coming in asking if we’re open, so that’s a good sign,” Aubrey said. “I know it’s not on a major road in Port Huron, but I think it’s still going to be a destination spot. Number one, it’s on the water, there’s boat access in the summertime … Also, the reason I like it is because of the parking. I don’t think any other spot of the other of the three, I don’t think they have the parking. We can accommodate over 60 cars.”

A look back, getting more information

Originally, seven operators received provisional licensing approval for establishments at 10 locations in the city, including two microbusinesses and marijuana processors, in early 2021 under the application scoring rubric greenlit by voters the previous November.

Soon after, however, lawsuits were filed against the city contesting the scoring results.

After a circuit court order ruled in the city’s favor last January, initial licensees were able to move forward with opening an establishment, despite the ongoing contest in the Michigan Court of Appeals.

So far, the three locations in the works are the only ones to have gone before planning commissioners.

The voter-approved ordinance itself, which remains in effect, had been proposed and petitioned onto the ballot by an outside committee, ultimately replacing an ordinance adopted by City Council with input from planning commissioners.

The city’s own effort kicked off with marijuana establishment site visits in metro Detroit four years ago.

On Tuesday, Aiello was quick to “shout out” Port Huron City Manager James Freed.

“He kind of started it all, despite all the initiatives and all that,” he said. “He came to one of our first stores years ago, all by himself incognito, did his homework.”

Aubrey said he planned to launch more information in the coming weeks at ExhibitCannabis.com, which hadn’t been launched as of this week, as well as posting a QR code at the River Street building, where those interested could get more information, such as on hiring, within two weeks.

Galanty and Aiello did not point local residents toward any site or social media page to watch for more information, though Aiello said he said the planned to get signage up soon and would look at hiring in January.

“We’re excited to be in Port Huron,” Aiello said. “We’re ready to rock.”

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: 'We're ready to rock': 3 marijuana businesses push for December, January openings