Province unveils details about Thunder Bay's first brick-and-mortar pot shop

The winner of the provincial lottery for a Thunder Bay cannabis store licence is looking to set up shop on the city's south side.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), held acannabis storelottery on Tuesday, and Gerald Harrison has been named as Thunder Bay's successful entry.

The AGCO said Harrison's proposed store location is at1802 E. Victoria Ave.

According to the AGCO, the lottery is providingthose who met pre-qualification requirements an opportunity to apply for a retail cannabis licence and store authorization, and winnershave until Aug. 28to submit that application.

After that, the AGCO will begin a full eligibility and licensing review, and will "only licence applicants and authorize stores that meet all legal and regulatory requirements."

Harrison was one of six entrants in the lottery for the Thunder Bay licence that came out of an initialpool of more than 200.The others, along with their proposed store locations,were:

• Tomor Sodnompil, 540 W. Arthur St.
• Mayer Hoffer,540 W. Arthur St.
• 2708540 Ontario Corporation, 236 Red River Rd.
• Susan andPaul Bettencourt, 595 W. Arthur St., Suite140B
• J. Supply Holdings Inc.,1802 Victoria Ave. E

The others have been put on a waiting list, the AGCO said.

Elsewhere in northwestern Ontario, Kenora'slicence went to Carl Ignatius, who's proposing a storefront at 420 S. Second St.

Ignatius was among six people who entered the licence lottery in Kenora, the AGCO said. The others were Demir Celal,Ryan Elliott, Jaimee Sugar, Jamie Chadwick, and Peter Dubravac.

Chadwick's store would be located at 130 S. Main Street, while the restwere proposing stores at420 S. Second St.

The AGCO said all applicants were required to provide proof they've already secured a retail location, and have "sufficient capital to open a cannabis retail store." If they didn't, they'd be disqualified.