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Locations questioned, concerns raised for potential pot shops in Barrie

Business owner says he's concerned about what type of clientele a potential retail cannabis shop could attract in the Essa Road plaza

The smoke is beginning to clear on potential locations for retail cannabis shops in Barrie, but concerns are being raised about the storefronts that could start peddling buds. 

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), which regulates retail cannabis in the province, announced this week the winners in the second licence lottery, where 42 licences were up for grabs. More than 4,800 eligible expressions of interest were included in this week's draw.

One operator in Barrie won the chance to apply for a licence -- Sofia Kuliev at 65 Collier St., a storefront located across from city hall -- with two others placed on a waiting list. 

Lottery winners must now apply to the AGCO for a cannabis retail operator licence and a retail store authorization. Applicants have until Aug. 28, at which point the agency will review the applications. The AGCO says it will only license applicants and authorize stores that meet all legal and regulatory requirements.

But it's the two potential Barrie locations on the waiting list, both on Essa Road, that seem to be causing the most waves.

They include a numbered company (5019265) at 555 Essa Rd., Unit A12 in the so-called Food Basics plaza at the intersection of Mapleton Avenue, and Michael Hassey at 231/241 Essa Rd., in the Clovergate Plaza near Ardagh Road.  

Dan McDougall, who is the sensei, president and chief instructor at Barrie Karate in the Food Basics plaza, says the location shouldn't be considered for a possible retail marijuana outlet, just a couple of doors down from his business. 

"The number one thing is we have many families and children that attend here regularly, so the type of clientele that a business like that might attract would be something that would threaten us, or not be good for us anyway," McDougall told BarrieToday.

"We also have a lot of teenagers in the local area, because it's such a family community, and the plaza seems to be where they gravitate to," added McDougall, who has been in business for 25 years, including the last two at his current location. "A business like that would be a magnet for teenagers that are pretty impressionable."

McDougall says he was surprised to hear the location had even been shortlisted. 

"The next thing that went through my mind is, why would a landlord want a business like that? And I guess it's just strictly for profit," he added. "I think downtown's a good spot for a business like this."

Coun. Gary Harvey, whose ward includes the plaza at 555 Essa, agrees with McDougall and says he also has concerns.

"This particular location ... poses significant issues to our community, in my mind, and does not meet the city's recommended guidelines that we passed," Harvey told BarrieToday. "The most concerning is that Holly Meadows Public School and Holly Commmunity Centre are just around the corner from this location." 

Harvey says he's "hopeful ... enough voices will be heard to have them move to a more suitable location away from residential areas and a shopping plaza such as this" during the AGCO public consultation process.

"They are more suited in commercial areas," the Ward 7 councillor added. 

Harvey says he has also similar worries about the possible location down the hill at 231/241 Essa Rd., a plaza which includes a comic-book store frequented by children and teenagers. 

"This is truly a matter of public safety and public health," he said. "If this was in the industrial area around the corner, it wouldn’t pose the same concerns." 

The most likely location -- although not yet approved -- for Barrie's first retail cannabis operation is on Collier Street. 

Following this week's licence lottery, Coun. Keenan Aylwin, whose ward includes the city's downtown area, says he was pleased to see the city move closer to having a retail cannabis shop and what it could mean to the black market. 

"The good news is that having licensed and regulated retail stores for cannabis will put a dent in the illegal market, cutting off the proceeds of crime and hopefully addressing some of the issues with drug dealing in our downtown," Aylwin told BarrieToday

Harvey, meanwhile, says he's also not a fan of the potential Collier Street location, mentioning similar concerns to the Essa Road locations. 

"The Collier Street location is not a suitable location, either, as it is very close to public spaces like the library and a park along with close proximity to a daycare," he said, citing information provided to him by city staff.

Aylwin reiterated that no applications have been approved yet in Barrie, "but I will continue to monitor the situation and gauge feedback from the community as more information becomes available," he said. 

"Barrie city council has asked that the province consider sensitive uses, such as schools and parks, when choosing the locations," Aylwin added. "Ultimately, it is up to the AGCO to issue the licence and I’m hoping that they will take those considerations into account when assessing the potential applications from these three sites."

Harvey says he also hopes the AGCO will take a long, hard look before giving the green light to any locations in the city. 

"I hope the AGCO listens to council's concerns and, more importantly, our citizens' concerns around these locations," he said, noting the potential Barrie locations don't fully comply as outlined in the city's preliminary assessment, such as proximity to public facilities, parks and daycares. "We also have to take into consideration the negative impact these stores will have on bordering businesses with the odour, traffic and the potential for crime."

Although no Barrie operators were chosen in the first licence lottery held earlier this year, in the second round prospective operators had to pre-qualify, including a letter of credit (with access to at least $250,000) and confirmed retail space. 

This week, four other lottery winners were announced in Simcoe County. Three are in Innisfil, including Ronen Ackerman at 2008 Commerce Park Dr., German Olga at 1988 Commerce Park Dr., and Ilim Uzunova at 1982 Commerce Park Dr., with the other being Louis Laskovski for 312 Hurontario St., in Collingwood.


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Raymond Bowe

About the Author: Raymond Bowe

Raymond is an award-winning journalist who has been reporting from Simcoe County since 2000
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