This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of Cannabis Dispensary. To subscribe, click here.
Named one of Leafly’s “Hottest New Dispensaries That Opened in 2017,” Great Northern Cannabis boasts a modern, yet earthy vibe via its high ceilings decked with dark wooden beams; suspended, modern light fixtures; and custom wood and glass displays. Combined with its no-pressure customer service, the atmosphere attracts patrons to its central downtown Anchorage, Alaska, location across from the city’s Visitor Information Center—and keeps them coming back.
In this fast-paced interview, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, Aaron Morse, and the dispensary’s manager, Anita Bradbury (both shareholders), share details behind their store’s inviting interior, chartering a plane to transport product and their expansion plans.
Brian MacIver: You have a great-looking store. How did you go about designing it?
Anita Bradbury: Great Northern’s initial shareholders had a vision for an upscale store—top of the line, with an inviting ambiance, where customers are immersed in an elite shopping experience.
The architect worked with us to create the high ceilings that draw the eye up and out and create a spacious feeling. You want to be able to breathe when you step into a store. You don’t want to feel like you have to run out or be pressured in any way. Many of our customers have told us they love our atmosphere, and we love that they can feel calm, unhurried and welcome.
We have four separate display cases—one for concentrates, the second and third offering
Our budtenders are trained not to hover. If you have a question, the budtenders just kind of watch and see when a good time is to come in and help out.
To read the full article in Cannabis Dispensary's February 2018 issue, click here.
Top photo by Nathaniel Wilder
