Store Highlight: Canacron Cannabis

Behind the counter, often, is shop owner Tetyana Kovalchuk, or her son or husband. “Family comes first,” Kovalchuk says.

Family bonds help explain the store’s location. Inside a shopping mall with a FreshCo, a Giant Tiger, a Beer Store and a couple dozen other small shops and service providers, Canacron Cannabis is meant to be the kind of place where you can stop by while running other errands. Although there’s no curbside storefront, being inside a shopping centre and having to respect mall opening hours has offered Kovalchuk the structure she needs to set good work-life boundaries.

Westdale Mall closes at 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 5 p.m. on Sundays, she says. Sure, that means she’s missing out on some sales, but it also means they can spend their evenings together. “Being with family is more important than working super hard,” she says. “We value our time; we value our family.”

Having only opened its doors in January 2025, the store is still young. It’s Kovalchuk’s first cannabis store, although she owns another business (a farm). 

She was moved to open a cannabis store by her son and his interest in cannabis. With her mother as a business partner, they acquired their Authorized Cannabis Store licence four years ago. Of course, actually opening the store was easier said than done. It took several years of administrative challenges to open up the shop.

As a licensed paralegal, Kovalchuk appreciates the regulated, government-led approach to selling cannabis, something that makes her feel more confident as a business owner and merchandiser. She says she generously shares resources and tips with others looking to open their own Authorized Cannabis Stores to help demystify some of the processes, regulations and hurdles many entrepreneurs in the commercial cannabis industry may face. 

Tetyana Kovalchuk

Co-owner, Canacron Cannabis, 
Mississauga, Ont.

That spirit of generosity is on display at the store, too. 

Kovalchuk says her customers range from local university students to seniors, with each demographic having their favourite products. Seniors, she says, mention the unfortunate realities of aging, and really appreciate having a wide variety of CBD-dominant or CBD-only products. And the store carries more than 150 varieties of pre-rolls and an extensive collection of flower from small Licensed Producers and craft growers. Kovalchuk also accepts custom order requests from customers looking to try something that isn’t already in stock and makes sure to get their feedback next time they pop by.

Her eye for variety has prompted customers to begin timing their visits with the weekly product deliveries, so they can get first dibs on new items arriving at the store. 

SHOP NEW PRODUCTS

Kovalchuk’s customers appreciate her care and attention to detail, not only to the products she stocks but also to the lives of the people who shop there. She checks in on people who’ve disclosed to her that they are going through hard times. 

“We’re really friendly. We treat everybody equally,” she says. 

Ironically, Kovalchuk doesn’t consume cannabis herself, even though finds it fascinating. To help bridge that gap, she makes a point to learn as much as possible about cannabis and the products she stocks to be able to help her customers make informed decisions. 

It doesn’t hurt that she has a love for the earthy smell of flower. She says she’s developed a delicate nose for telling apart different strains and terpenes, and figuring out which ones will become popular at her shop. “If I like the aroma, then I know people will love it. My nose is never wrong,” she laughs.

Don’t live near Canacron Cannabis? 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.