Western Bud

Western Bud

11401 Rainier Ave S., Seattle

 (206) 257-0663

www.westernbud.com

Top-Selling Strain: 

Any Cookie or Cake strains

Top-Selling Concentrate: 

Oleum Extracts’ sugar waxes

Top-Selling Edibles:

Marmas & Olala™ sodas

How and when did your store start up?

Our Seattle store opened last August. It’s our fourth Western Bud store, with more stores opening in Seattle this year.

What’s the story behind the name of your store?

From the very beginning it was important to us that we created a brand that had the look and feel of Pacific Northwest region, thus the name Western Bud. We’ve always believed cannabis can elevate life’s greatest moments, so providing our customers with a rich customer experience and diverse selection of product is something we want people to associate with our name.

What does your store offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else?

We’re disruptors. Since day one, we pledged that Western Bud wouldn’t operate like all the others, and that we would shake things up in the industry by focusing on opportunities we see that others miss. From our $0 ATM fee, our 25 percent off student/senior discount to our seemingly endless deals and best daily happy hour in town, we’ve found unique angles in all aspects of our business. We’ve not only blazed our own trail, but also forced others to adopt some of our own hallmarks like our legendary Flash Sales or 40 percent off vendor events.

How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go?

With so much hyper-growth in our industry, it’s a constant effort to adapt to the laws of the [Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board] and the trends of products. Because it’s so competitive for retailers, there’s not a unified group willing to work together to improve the retail side of the industry.

What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a store? . . .  Biggest joys?

We operate in four different counties with different LCB officers in each, all of which interpret and enforce the laws inconsistently. Signage and branding is also a sore subject. We have two versions of our logo, one with a cannabis leaf, and one without that is used in public. We can spell out “cannabis” but can’t have a leaf visible to the public.

What is the one thing you want patients/customers to know about your store?

We’re not like everyone else. We do common things, uncommonly well. In our first year, we tendered $1 million plus in discounts, more than any store north of Seattle.

If someone wanted to open a store and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them?

Do as much due-diligence as possible and develop a strategy for distinguishing yourself.

What do you hope to accomplish in the cannabis industry?

We aspire to be the best store in all markets we operate in.