Local cannabis store scheduled to open in November

Not quite a serial entrepreneur yet, but local businessman Ian Mansley is looking forward to be the only cannabis store owner in Beaver County to date when his store opens in November.

“We are slated to open in November but who knows,” said Mansley on the delay surrounding the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) acquisition process.

But he’s hopeful.

“Shortly after the legislation was passed last year, the AGLC declared a moratorium because of a supply shortage and we’ve been waiting since,” Mansley explained.

With a long career in the oilfield, Mansley took an early buyout from his previous company rather than relocating to Calgary with his young family.

“Sometimes we come to a crossroads and I decided it would just be better if I took an early pension and worked on creating something of my own,” he added. “I decided to take over and buy a liquor store in town, which so far has been doing brisk sales, but at the outset it was tough.”

Mansley hadn’t envisioned being a one-man show, which his business was. . . . contd.