Maple Grove’s First Licensed Cannabis Dispensary Opens
Residents in the northwest metro now have a new destination for recreational cannabis. Fullmelt Factory, the first licensed dispensary in Maple Grove, officially opened its doors on March 20, marking a significant milestone for the city’s retail landscape.
Located strategically to serve a broad cross-section of the northwest suburbs, the shop offers a variety of Minnesota-made products, including THC-infused beverages, edibles, vapes and cannabis flower.
For owner Karsen Cooper — who says he served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantryman — the dispensary is about more than just sales. Cooper views the shop as a resource for wellness and a potential alternative to other substances.
“The sole mission is to help everyone get quality products,” Cooper said. He noted that he hopes the shop can eventually help customers move away from a reliance on alcohol, tobacco and prescription medications.
Cannabis flower is one of the items sold at Fullmelt Factory. The dispensary is located at 13777 Grove Dr, Maple Grove, MN 55369.
Prioritizing Privacy and Education
Walking into Fullmelt Factory is designed to feel different from a typical convenience store or a high-traffic retail outlet. Cooper has focused on creating a private, educational environment to put newcomers at ease.
The lobby is an open seating area where customers can take a number and watch stoner movies playing on a big screen as they wait. The actual shopping experience happens in a separate, secondary room. Customers are called back individually to speak with a “budtender.”
“In that room, your conversation will be private,” Cooper explained. “So if you have questions that may seem a little embarrassing because of how rudimentary they are, or potentially asking about intimacy questions, no one’s going to overhear it.”
Customers at the Fullmelt Factory first have to sit in a waiting area before they’re called into the retail section of the dispensary.
Keeping it Local
Every product found on the shelves at Fullmelt Factory is produced in Minnesota, Cooper said. This ensures that the shop not only serves the local community but supports the burgeoning Minnesota cannabis supply chain as well.
Fullmelt Factory is now open for adults aged 21 and older.
Related: Robbinsdale Approves New Cannabis Shop on West Broadway
