A new recreational cannabis shop opened over the weekend, and customers flocked to the grand opening party to get their hands on the latest harvest of Washington State grown pot.
Stash Pot Shop Ballard, at 4912 17th Ave. NW, opened last Saturday August 29 and held their grand opening bash. They featured vendors, food, music and, of course, cannabis. They also collaborated with neighbors, Hilliard’s Beer and Shelter Lounge, who offered specials for Stash customers.
The event was for adults 21-and-over and had a good showing with at least a hundred individuals. Local band, Ayron Jones and The Way closed the night with a stellar and uplifting performance.
The store is one of two opening in Seattle; Stash is also opening a recreational store in Lake City, called Lake City Stash.
“They are going to be identical shops and offer the same premium products,” said Shea Hynes, Product Buyer for Stash.
Patrick Hynes, Shea’s father, and Shea Hynes are a few of the owners/staff of the new shop. The two started in the industry with a medical collective called Professional Patient CO-OP.
“My dad and I have gone out to hundreds of farms together and hundreds of producers and processors and hand select every product, and I think we have some of the finest flower in the state.”
Hynes prides himself on keeping a large selection of high quality products to offer, and customers will find a smorgasbord of everything from edibles and oils (Dama Oil) to premium flower (cannabis buds) grown by High Altitude, Doc Croc, GTech and Emerald Jane. A few other items they offer right now are Sitka Cannabis Cigarettes, lotions, Craft Elixers, hash and Winter Life Almonds. There is also a fine collection of CBD (Cannabidiol) emphasized products.
“It means everything to me to be part of this project. I grew up around cannabis and worked in the industry for years and have done it for a long time.”
The shop is the second to open in the Ballard area, but the first on the west side of 15th Avenue NW.
Stash operates with the mantra, “Community. Culture. Cannabis.”
“We want to sell good cannabis. I believe most places in Seattle have good cannabis at this point, but I believe we have the best. But with that said it’s not the most important aspect. It’s about community and culture and putting that first,” said Hynes.
“We are all in this together, and we are all trying to pioneer this new industry and trying to figure out our way as we go, and if people know how to do it correctly then the industry is going to succeed,” said Kalie Sandstrom, a PR consultant for Stash.
Hynes said they chose the location in Ballard because his father’s friend owns the building where they set up shop, but Hynes said it was the Ballard neighborhood itself that helped make up their mind.
“The other thing that brought us here is that Ballard rocks. It’s one of those areas that really needed a pot shop and where we can affect change. It’s one of those kind of hidden neighborhoods in Seattle.”
Hynes said he’s happy to be in a part of Ballard where there are two popular breweries and a lounge, and where there are plans for more growth. He said he’s pleased to claim a spot amid the rush of change happening in Ballard.
Through Stash, Hynes said that he wants to redefine cannabis culture by showing a new attitude toward cannabis and providing premium products to the public.
“We want to redefine the culture. We love cannabis culture but some of the cannabis culture has had what we call the ‘Dark Ages’ and not just the stigmatism. …We want to be the nicest shop in Seattle, and we have a real cool chance with these two stores.”
