By Jill Sperling

Private application for cannabis store on its way to City Council

Oct 12, 2018 | 1:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — The first federally-approved application for a private cannabis retailer in Kamloops will go before City Council at the end of the month.

The store is set to open in the Fortune Shopping Centre, if the city gives the go-ahead.

Co-owners of the Commodore Grand Cafe and Lounge Christopher Monteleone and Dino Bernardo have partnered with friend Justin Cuzzetto in this venture, hoping to be a part of the emerging recreational marijuana industry.

“Between the three of us we have over 50 years of retail experience,” Monteleone said. “We feel that we’re good candidates to run this type of business. At the same time we’ll be creating jobs in this booming city while continuing to progressively grow our small business portfolio.”

Monteleone says the plan is to begin a 20- to 25-day renovation on the store immediately after city approval.

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He says the store, which would be called Fiore Fresco, will follow all government rules and regulations around cannabis sales.

“There will be no smoking cannabis outside the shop, you can’t even open your product until you get to your final destination,” Monteleone said. “You won’t be able to see into our store front, and when you leave you’re going to have nice classy bags, non-transparent; it’s going to be no different than walking out of any of the neighbouring businesses, such as Safeway or Gary’s Deli and so forth.”

It’s just going to be like a regular customer doing regular shopping.”

by Jill Sperling

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Private application for cannabis store on its way to City Council

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