Store Highlight: Purple Tree Cannabis

Owner Matt Piotrowicz set out to make the Mississauga, Ont. cannabis store a place where consumers receive not only the education they need to make informed choices but also thoughtful, personal service. With well-trained staff, a unique product selection and special touches — such as personalized gift packages, greeting cards and complimentary wrapping — Purple Tree Cannabis is an inviting community hub, whether for Valentine’s Day gifting or just your usual restock.

This welcoming cannabis shop was inspired by Piotrowicz’s experience living in Colorado. “Seeing how Denver embraced legalization sparked the idea that cannabis could have a positive and normalized presence in a community. When cannabis was legalized in Canada, it felt like the perfect time to bring this vision to life in my own hometown,” he says.

Operating as a family business from day one, Piotrowicz and his father partnered to open the first Purple Tree Cannabis location on Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto in 2021. With its success, they knew their next move was expanding to Mississauga.

“The inspiration to open a store in Mississauga is very much focused on going back to our roots,” he says. “Our family emigrated from Poland in 1990, and that is when we decided to call Mississauga home. We had our family home in this area for over 25 years, so there is a lot of significance for us going back to this location.”

Matt Piotrowicz

Owner, Purple Tree Cannabis, Mississauga, Ont.

 “It’s been surreal to be able to open a business I’m passionate about just down the street from where I grew up.”

In 2023, Purple Tree Cannabis opened its doors in Mississauga to a warm reception from the local community and shoppers. The store was one of the first to open when the city lifted its nearly five-year ban on cannabis stores within the region.

Piotrowicz says their loyalty program and product selection have been factors in their success, but he stresses their amazing purple-sweatshirt-clad team makes all the difference in the customer experience.

We still have our completely original team since day one, he says. “This is a testament to how strong our group is and how close we’ve grown together... It makes coming to work a lot more fun when you’re surrounded by people you like and call friends.”

Purple Tree Cannabis serves a diverse customer population, with many different goals and levels of cannabis experience. Staff are trained to not only make safe, enjoyable recommendations for customers but also help them shop for thoughtful, unique gifts no matter the occasion.

“Customers can check out our Gift Zone, where we can make custom packages with accessories that include cannabis-themed cards, birthday candles that hold pre-rolled joints, CBD-infused massage oils and bath bombs.”

“For special occasions like birthdays, Christmas or Valentine’s Day, we are happy to pack customers’ purchases at our store in one of our premium bags with wrapping and crinkle paper... Just ask, and we’ll wrap it up!”

A unique product offering sets Purple Tree Cannabis apart whether you’re restocking on basics or shopping for your valentine. Plus, they carry handmade accessories made in-house by one of their staff members, Mally (@mally.puffs on Instagram). Her charming roach clips are so popular with customers that she’s even begun taking requests for custom designs.

SHOP GIFTABLE TOPICALS

These touches that make the customer experience special is what drives the success of small cannabis retail, says Piotrowicsz. “I think we’ll see more stores with a unique customer approach as the industry evolves because that is what allows independent stores to stand out.”

In the coming year, Purple Tree Cannabis is set to expand their reach by offering home delivery and launching their refreshed website to bring their accessible, easy shopping experience to life online.

Don’t live near a Purple Tree Cannabis location? 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.