AKRON — A new marijuana dispensary opens its doors in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood on Wednesday, capping a years-long effort to bring the Akron-based cannabis company into the community. Klutch Cannabis holds a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. at 1960 West Market St., with the store open for business immediately afterward.
Vice president of compliance and communications Pete Nischt, who lives in the Wallhaven area himself, said the opening is the realization of a goal years in the making. The Rolling Comfort food truck will be on hand from 2 to 5 p.m., and customers will be treated to 10 days of grand-opening deals — up to 40 percent off cannabis products, with the discounts varying by brand and day. Apparel will also be available for of-age customers.
The store will carry flower, edibles, tinctures and more, with options and price points for cannabis users of all experience levels — from the novice recreational customer to the seasoned connoisseur with a medical card. Digital kiosks will display the full menu, and Klutch says its staff is trained to help customers pick a product that is right for them so no one has a bad experience. The company will also run exclusive product drops at its own stores that are not available anywhere else.
Getting the dispensary open took time and multiple hearings. Nischt said it was important to collaborate with Akron City Council and surrounding neighbors to tailor Klutch’s new store to the area — and he is not the only one living in the neighborhood, noting that some fellow Klutch executives live nearby too. Workers spent Tuesday preparing the shop, stocking the back wall with empty packaging showing the range of brands offered. “This has been a dream of ours for years and years,” Nischt said.
