Flora Farms aims at May opening for Hollister dispensary

The newest marijuana dispensary for Flora Farms LLC is on pace to open in Hollister next month, company officials say.

Mark Hendren, president of the Humansville-based company, said a mid- to late-May launch is expected for its 165 Hollister Parkway store, pending the completion of paperwork and a facility inspection by the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation.

“The facility is 99% completed and we are awaiting a few final approvals from the city, county and so on,” Hendren said, declining to disclose startup costs for the project. Crossland Construction Co. Inc. is general contractor and Joplin-based Hunter and Millard Architects Inc. is architect.

Hendren told Springfield Business Journal in January that Flora Farms was hoping to open the dispensary by April 20, which serves as an unofficial holiday for marijuana enthusiasts. While a little disappointed the store couldn’t hit the targeted date, he said some elements are out of the company’s hands.

“When you’re dealing with construction and cannabis regulations, as well as local municipalities, some delays are reasonably expected,” he said.

Once open, the 4,518-square-foot Hollister dispensary will be the seventh for Flora Farms, which also owns a manufacturing operation in Springfield in addition to its Humansville cultivation facility. The company’s sixth dispensary was the result of an acquisition last year for undisclosed terms of Old Route 66 Wellness LLC, which operates a store at 2823 N. Glenstone Ave. Hendren said Flora Farms took over operation of the facility March 1.

When reached by text this morning, entrepreneur John Lopez said he no longer is CEO at Old Route 66 but still retains partial ownership of the company. While still residing in Springfield, he said his primary focus now is opening several dispensaries in New Jersey as well as a new startup venture involving dogs. His LinkedIn page lists him as founder and CEO of Old Route 30 Dispensary in New Jersey. Its first location will open its doors in May, according to a company website.

As for the Old Route 66 Wellness dispensary name in Springfield, Hendren said no changes are imminent.

“We’re still evaluating what to do there,” he said, noting Flora Farms also operates another dispensary roughly a mile away at 2027 N. Glenstone Ave. “Right now, we’re going to maintain the Old Route 66 name.”

Hendren said Flora Farms employs around 320 companywide and expects between 25-40 employees to be hired for the Hollister dispensary.