New Cannabis Store ‘The Highest Peak’ Set to Open in Potsdam

POTSDAM — Two local entrepreneurs are making progress towards opening their cannabis store, The Highest Peak, on Market Street in the former Northern Music and Video location. Kinsey LaPointe and Aurora Wood, both state-approved CAURD license holders, have set their sights on a July opening for their store. The village planning board and county planning board have already granted their approvals, and now it’s up to the village board to give the final go-ahead based on the planning board’s recommendation.

Unlike the state-managed process for setting up a cannabis store, which involves navigating through red tape and bureaucracy, LaPointe and Wood have taken a different approach. They have chosen to handle all site location, approvals, and contracting work independently. As North Country natives, they are determined to do things on their own and showcase their hardworking spirit. The decision to go solo allows them to find their own location and present it to the state or lease it independently, bypassing the complexities associated with the state’s process.

Community involvement is a top priority for LaPointe and Wood, who have been open and transparent with the local government and the community throughout the process. They aim to make regular donations to various community organizations, including the Children’s Museum, once the business is up and running. While they acknowledge the complexities of the state’s management of cannabis businesses, they appreciate how the licensing process provides opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive in a marketplace that could easily be dominated by corporate interests.

Located in the heart of the downtown business district, the 25 Market Street location offers an ideal spot with high foot traffic. The store will offer pre-packaged state-approved cannabis and CBD products from approved growers. However, on-site consumption is not permitted under state law, and the store does not have “vertical integration,” meaning it cannot grow or package its own cannabis products. The knowledgeable staff will be trained by state-approved cannabis suppliers and will be well-versed in different strains, concentrations, and product uses.

While LaPointe and Wood are aiming for a July opening, they anticipate challenges along the way. Nevertheless, they express gratitude for their partnership and the opportunity to establish their business as small-town entrepreneurs. The former site of Northern Music and Video holds promise for their venture, and they hope to create a welcoming space for cannabis enthusiasts in the community.

In the words of LaPointe, “We both got really lucky in our partnership together.”

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