Second cannabis retailer may be headed to Cannon Beach

CANNON BEACH — The Purple Moon Boutique has plans to move out of its location on Hemlock Street, with the possibility of a marijuana dispensary taking its place.

The women’s clothing store has been operating at 215 N. Hemlock Street for 14 years. Store owner Abbas Atwi said he put his business up for sale a couple of months ago and is moving with his family to Portland.

“We have been here 14 years, and, like anything in life, there are pros and cons to living here,” Atwi said. “I think it is time for a new venture for us.”

For now, Atwi does not have a solid closing date in mind, but he does have three potential buyers interested in his store. Two of the parties are interested in buying the lease with the intent to keep running it as Purple Moon Boutique, he said. The third is Oregrown Industries, a Bend-based marijuana dispensary.

The Design Review Board approved Oregrown’s request to modify signage, door color and window display restrictions.

City Planner Mark Barnes said he has not received permit requests from anyone else for this location.

Atwi said he and the owner of the building, Gene Cope, are communicating with all interested buyers and will jointly make a decision on who is awarded the space. If the dispensary is awarded the lease, the owners will still need approval from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and a city business license to open.

Oregrown Industries is one of three dispensaries that have submitted land use applications to the city since the town voted to approve retail marijuana within city limits last November. The Portland-based, recreational dispensary Five Zero Trees has plans to move into the former location of the home goods store Fruffels at 140 S. Hemlock St. within the next couple of months. One application will be heard by the Design Review Board in August about plans to open a marijuana dispensary at 3115 S. Hemlock St.

Co-owners Kevin Hogan and Hunter Neubauer of Oregrown Industries said they wanted to expand their business to Cannon Beach because of its natural beauty, which fits in with the company’s Oregon outdoors, lifestyle brand.

“Cannon Beach is such an iconic Oregon destination,” Neubauer said.

The two started their flagship store in Bend 3 1/2 years ago. Hogan said their No. 1 priority is to go through all proper channels and to make sure, if the store is approved, it will fit in with the aesthetic and the culture of the town.

“We like to do things the right way,” Hogan said. “That’s what made us successful.”

Until the decision is made, Atwi said to expect business as usual.

“We’re still Purple Moon until otherwise,” Atwi said. “I’m not opening another Purple Moon for sure, but I haven’t decided what my new venture will be.”