TheSamba.com :: View topic - Opening a Bar/Weed shop in Ontario, Canada. Share our thoughts

Sat Jan 07, 2023 5:09 pm

Hi there everyone,

Share your thoughts about the challenges of opening a bar or cannabis shop in Ontario, Canada.

I appreciate all your valuable knowledge in advance.

Sat Jan 07, 2023 8:39 pm

Around here where medical weed is legal every other corner has a dispensary. There are so many that none of them are making money. The shop across the street will slash prices to get the business which leads to fierce competition and none of them are becoming rich. The grow industry has become so corrupt the state Gov't couldn't keep up with regulations so they put a 2 year freeze on all new permits. The dispensaries are having a difficult time getting weed to sell because 90% of what is grown in the state is being illegally sold outside the state for huge profits. Over the years I've talked with 2 people that completely got out of the dispensary business because they just couldn't make a good living selling the legal medical weed.

China money is heavily involved in the industry.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:16 am

I've talked to a few bar owners thru the years. Some love it, some hate it. A couple have made good money in some years.
All have said it was long, tough hours & hard to find good staff.

It's not hard to be trendy/popular - much harder to stay that way.

Liquor is a highly regulated product but has good margins (unless staff over pours).

I personally wouldn't want to deal with drunk people, too much hassle & liability.

Kudos for doing the be your own boss thing, it can be rewarding but ya gotta hustle everyday.

Best luck ... stay safe

jinx

Sun Jan 08, 2023 6:00 am

I spent 40+ years in the entertainment industry. I've been in thousands of venues, about 75% of them bars and nightclubs. Some bars make a boatload of money. Some struggle to get by. The key is a large, loyal clientele.

Some successful bars have location on there side - near a tourist attraction, for example. However, live music, both exceptional local bands and national touring acts really draw people in. A good house band can make the bar a success. Local bands can develop huge followings. Shitty local bands drive your customers away. They're cheap - good bands cost money - it takes money to make money.

If you go the bar rout, in my opinion, you need a good location, and a reason people want to go there - repeatedly. And treat every customer like gold. Loyal clientele is what makes success.

Be creative! :) Create something really cool and they will come...

My 2 cents.

Best of luck - Jim

Sun Jan 08, 2023 6:04 am

Have you ever owned your own business in the past? Many people don’t realize how difficult it is. It is a 24 hour 7 day week shift. If you have little to no experience in the field then get a job in the type of business you want to open and work your way up to management. Then think about opening your own business. I have had 5 business, some successful some not so.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 8:13 am

the more glamorous or fun a business looks to be, the more competition of other people wanting to do the same thing. restaurants, bars, etc.

Generally the less glamorous, the more profitable. Look at how much biohazard cleanup pays.

Either way, if you run a business and want it to be successful, you will work long hours.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 9:27 am

vwracerdave wrote: Around here where medical weed is legal every other corner has a dispensary. There are so many that none of them are making money. The shop across the street will slash prices to get the business which leads to fierce competition and none of them are becoming rich. The grow industry has become so corrupt the state Gov't couldn't keep up with regulations so they put a 2 year freeze on all new permits. The dispensaries are having a difficult time getting weed to sell because 90% of what is grown in the state is being illegally sold outside the state for huge profits. Over the years I've talked with 2 people that completely got out of the dispensary business because they just couldn't make a good living selling the legal medical weed.

China money is heavily involved in the industry.

120 miles away in the 918 area it’s same situation but I haven’t seen that many stores closing. Competition is very good for consumers you can find 30 dollars an oz. Let’s see what happens when recreational pot is on the ballot in a few months. Given a choice I’ll take the potheads over drunks. Still haven’t seen or heard of any pot ODs yet.

Here’s a factoid —> 1 out of every 8 Oklahoma residents has a medical card already, that’s a high percentage😀 pun intended.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 9:40 am

Zundfolge1432 wrote: Still haven’t seen or heard of any pot ODs yet.
Kids have.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2023/01/03/edibles-kids-increasing/

I think edibles should not be allowed. Kits see brownies and gummies as candy/food.

Think of it the same as candy flavored vape pens addicting teenagers.

Weed should be treated like alcohol.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 10:48 am

Glenn wrote: Zundfolge1432 wrote: Still haven’t seen or heard of any pot ODs yet.
Kids have.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2023/01/03/edibles-kids-increasing/

I think edibles should not be allowed. Kits see brownies and gummies as candy/food.

Think of it the same as candy flavored vape pens addicting teenagers.

Weed should be treated like alcohol.
It is here in Oregon,
https://www.oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana/pages/default.aspx

I agree, gummies really have no business in the hands of children. Or any edibles for that matter.
The sad reality is, people act irresponsibly all over the USA.

How did a 6yo end up shooting his teacher this week? How did he get his hands on a firearm?
Irresponsible parenting!

Sorry for the thread drift!

Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:52 pm

Maybe instead of asking some strangers on the internet the OP would get better answers talking to other shop owners already up and running. To me it looks like a license to print money, just like a casino. Oh and although some kids have found and eaten the adults stash none have died, but I see the hysteria is still fairly common.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:46 pm

So Z, did you buy an ounce for $30?

Thats what a lid cost back in 1975.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:15 pm

calvinater wrote: Thats what a lid cost back in 1975.
And you had to smoke most of that to get the equivalent buzz one single joint yields now. :shock:

Sun Jan 08, 2023 5:38 pm

calvinater wrote: So Z, did you buy an ounce for $30?

Thats what a lid cost back in 1975.

No but I’ve seen it and it’s as you’d imagine all shake and scraps from trimming buds. It’s a lesson in economics, the more sellers you have all selling same products prices for consumers will go down. Before the pandemic that place was a pretty good restaurant and now it’s a dispensary, good or bad I dunno.

Sun Jan 08, 2023 7:13 pm

$30 an ounce? Ho lee fuk.
In mo,a medical card and a ccw don't play nice.

Mon Jan 09, 2023 6:39 am

cbeck wrote: $30 an ounce? Ho lee fuk.
In mo,a medical card and a ccw don't play nice.

It was that way here until it got amended. Item 1

I found the subject of public consumption more interesting. I’ve not seen anyone smoking it out in the open.

https://oklahoma.gov/omma/patients-caregivers/patient-rights-and-responsibilities.html

https://reason.org/commentary/missouri-law-restores-medical-marijuana-users-second-amendment-rights/

Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:10 am

I was at a wedding this weekend and surprised that no one was smoking

Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:23 am

Glenn wrote: I was at a wedding this weekend and surprised that no one was smoking

If the wedding included any kids I’d say that’s a great idea. Like alcohol and tobacco is regulated, 21 years old or no dice. What adults do to amuse themselves is their business. 😀

Tue Jan 10, 2023 6:21 pm

Fri Apr 28, 2023 7:00 am

My appreciation to all of those above valuable comments and shared experiences.
It was all right and I accept them as valuable advices and will consider them on my way.

Fri Apr 28, 2023 9:35 am

op just surfaced from a weed funk? :shock: :lol: