I really never know what to expect in regards to shops that stock products like the ones provided…read moreby this business, but a friend's reference and some internet-research dabbling gave me the impression (and a prayer to God for that impression to actually prove accurate) that this store is very professional and clean, with staff that takes pride in the knowledge, quality, and selection of their merchandise, versus some of the more across-the-tracks "headshops" with poor lighting, a noxious stench that attacks you as soon as you come within twenty yards of it, Pink Floyd over the speakers, and usually inevitably, at least two white dudes with dreadlocks who couldn't even begin to answer any of your questions helpfully, regardless of how hard you may try.
I'll cut to the chase (finally), stop smack-talking headshops (though I generally condemn the existence of any that all-too-often adhere to that basic formula listed above, as I believe that those stores which are able to sell "legal highs" but are unable to give any helpful information about their "proprietary" ingredients or warnings or, really, anything helpful that may serve as a means of reducing potential harm) and save you the (likely-long-extinguished) suspense: this shop was a fantastic departure from that headshop bogeyman that inexplicably rests at the forefront of my mind most of the time.
The store is tiny but beautifully laid-out, light and airy, and very well-stocked. The employees whom I spoke to, and who were also helping other customers, were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. While obviously you can't be absolutely certain about the contents of any of their products (as they are not FDA-approved, and the store is not a DC-regulated dispensary), I recognized many of the brands sold and feel quite confident that what you see is what you get.
It's very obvious by the information volunteered by the employees (including some very beautiful brochures and pamphlets about their shop and their products -- I uploaded a crappy iPhone photo of the front and back of an introductory brochure to CBD that serves as an excellent 101 for any "beginner") and the upkeep of their shop that they take pride in the range, efficacy, utility, and quality of the products that they sell, and with each customer who doesn't quite know yet where to start in the potentially huge -- and therefore often excessively confusing or contradictory -- world that can comprise CBD or kratom or other herbal modalities, it truly seems that the folks working here make a true effort to match customers with the type of item that would best suit their needs.
I definitely give five stars and doff my cap to this store -- after failing to renew my medical marijuana card this past year and having lacked the money and time to rectify that, this type of store is an excellent alternative or complement to the regulated DC medical dispensaries. Obviously they legally cannot sell anything containing THC, but that's no problem with me, and it's always good to see a store that theoretically COULD source more "stoner"-centric products and try to get away with it (we've all seen those weird pop-ups in DC from time to time), they make it very clear that they intend to follow the law to the letter.
I hope that this shop sticks around for a long time, because it's very impressive -- aesthetically, economically, and by the helpfulness and non-judginess of their staff -- and I always want to support local businesses like that. (To be fair, I believe that they do have another shop in Illinois or something, but even so, it's still a small, independent company that seems to main high standards and ethics in an industry where they could easily get away with selling bunk garbage, with many customers none the wiser. I admire their integrity.)
