Store Highlight: A High Class Joint

Brydges, who was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley and manages the day-to-day running of the Authorized Cannabis Stores, feels grateful to recognize many of the faces that walk through her doors.

“Working in town before [opening] our cannabis store gave me a chance to make a good reputation for myself before getting into the business. I’m a trusted source for cannabis for all my customers, from 19 to 99,” she says. “I take this job seriously and am looking to change the stigma of cannabis, one day and store at time.”

Brydges is aware of the influence she has as an Authorized Cannabis Store owner and uses her voice to make a difference. “Knowing that this industry is still under scrutiny pushes me to educate, inform and introduce my customers to a new way of thinking about cannabis.”

That’s why you’ll often see Brydges wearing her branded merch to school functions, professional dinners and even church. By proudly representing A High Class Joint while being an active member of the community, she hopes people can recognize that cannabis consumers come from all parts of society.

When it comes to the evolution of the legal cannabis industry, Brydges is hopeful about what the future holds. “I’m looking forward to the next generation of legal consumers who have never had to think about cannabis as something bad or illegal. My own kids will get to grow up never thinking cannabis is a bad thing.”

When people come into the store looking for guidance, A High Class Joint’s budtenders have been trained to ask specific questions to get an understanding their consumers. “We like to ask if they have tried any of our products before, if they have been referred by someone, if they have something in mind they would like to try and if they know what dose they would need. We explain the different methods of cannabis consumption and send the customer home with our phone number in case they have other questions once they leave the store.”

Sherrill Brydges

Co-owner, A High Class Joint

“I’m looking forward to the next generation of legal consumers who have never had to think about cannabis as something bad or illegal.”

A High Class Joint also offers cannabis tracker sheets for customers to keep notes on the experiences they have with the products they buy. Having that information on hand helps them make purchases that meet their needs.

You’ll often find Brydges behind the counter, serving customers alongside the rest of the team. She says the staff at A High Class Joint listen to shoppers’ interests, make recommendations and order new products they think customers will be interested in. Brydges also ventures into the community for educational opportunities, recently visiting the Golden Age Activity Centre in Renfrew, Ont., to speak with elderly residents about the benefits and risks of cannabis use, answer their questions and make thoughtful product recommendations. 

Located just a two-minute drive from the boat launch on Muskrat Lake and Cobden Beach, A High Class Joint is the perfect place to start any long weekend, says Brydges. She has a solid list of product suggestions ready. “I would recommend filling the cooler with THC- and CBG-infused beverages and a 10-pack of pre-rolls. For later around the campfire, I would recommend a tasty infused pre-roll — sure to be a crowd pleaser — and some infused chocolate squares that are great for making s’mores.”

Don’t live near either location of A High Class Joint? Use the OCS Store Locator to find an Authorized Cannabis Store near you.
 

Store Highlight features Authorized Cannabis Stores that apply to participate as part of the quarterly OCS Content Call process. If you are interested in having your store featured, find out how on OCS Wholesale Learn.