Canadian Dispensary Opens Immersive Flagship

Emerging Canadian dispensary Fika Cannabis has opened a flagship retail experience in Toronto's Union Station, a national landmark that attracts millions of visitors annually.

The storefront, located in the newly renovated Bay Street Promenade section of the transportation hub, is the only cannabis store at the station. Fika is one of many retailers that are opening stores at the station in 2022 following the multi-year Union Station Revitalization Project.

According to a news release from Fika, the store will serve more than 75,000 residents from the area and 300,000 people who pass through the station daily.

The store was designed by GH+A Design Studios to create an “inviting and intuitive” shopping experience, per the release. Fika's elegant layout welcomes guests in with herringbone flooring and white oak slat walls. The retailer says warm tones and welcoming materials such as Corten steel and walnut aim to create a feeling of "calm and familiarity" inside the bustling station.

"Fika's name and approach are inspired by the Swedish concept of 'fika' — taking a pause in your busy day to connect with the people and things that bring you happiness," said Paola Marques, partner, GH+A Design Studios, in the release. "We designed this new location to do exactly that: to invite shoppers to physically 'take a breather' in the middle of Canada's busiest building."

Some store features include:

• A flower bar, offering a wide selection of cannabis flower spotlighted under magnifying domes, organized left to right by strain type and top to bottom by THC strength.
• The first Fika express bar, providing commuters and event-goers with the ability to pick up on the go or shop quickly from a curated selection of top-selling items.
• A vape and pre-roll bars, displaying each cartridge and pre-rolled joint out of its packaging in individual display cases.
• The tuck shop, offering an assortment of cannabis-infused chocolate, gummies and cold beverages.
• Trained Fika ambassadors available to provide cannabis knowledge and shopper assistance in-store.

"[Fika’s] uncompromising approach to service and design make the experience effortless and enjoyable for anyone — from the novice to the most seasoned cannabis shopper," said Christopher Kane, chief operating officer at Fika, in the release. "Union is not just Canada's busiest building; it is a historical treasure and an architectural marvel. We've put every effort into creating an environment worthy of this iconic home."