L’Eagle was recently voted “The Best Overall Dispensary” in Colorado by Leafly and “Best Dispensary” by readers of The Cannabist — but what makes us different? Throughout the years, we’ve worked hard to only carry infused products made with our own trim and by joining forces with a handful of trusted partners.
In a small shop like L’Eagle, shelf space is at a premium so choosing the right products is key.
Amy Andrle
Co-owner
L’Eagle Services
Denver, CO
We also produce our own concentrates (rosin and water hash) and topicals in-house. Now we’re at a tipping point and need to invite more products on our shelves in order to keep up with consumer demand.
In a small shop like ours, shelf space is limited so we have to be strategic with our product selection. When it comes to vetting new brands and products, we evaluate a number of criteria, including: trends, brand message, sustainability standards, adhering to organic best practices and offering gluten free/vegan options. We also address the brand’s track record to determine if they have had any previous recalls. Once we put their products on our shelves, their brand becomes our brand and we certainly wouldn’t want to jeopardize our reputation.
When it comes to concentrate cartridges, we want to know where their trim is being sourced and how it’s being processed and tested. These are all factors that help us to determine whether or not these brands are a fit for our shelves.
Beyond these measures of evaluation, we are also looking at price point. We’re a mom-and-pop shop and need to be able to compete with the big box stores. Many of these stores are able to purchase in bulk and receive a smoking deal. Running a small business poses a unique set of challenges. We must remain competitively priced with the larger retailers, despite not being able to buy in bulk. We also need to find alternatives for storing product. Throughout this vetting process, we’ve found there may even be partners who are willing to hold product for us until it’s needed to fill the shelves or even set up consignment programs.
We’ve learned quite a bit about the products and partners available to us over the last few weeks. New brands are continuing to fill the marketplace. We vet them and keep refining, ask for customer feedback and research what other stores have on their shelves. For a boutique dispensary like L’Eagle, shelf space is extremely limited, and a curated selection is essential. At the same time, we must strike the balance between the tried-and-true industry leaders and exciting new products.
When reviewing your selection of products, keep the following pointers in mind: choose the right brands and request samples; if possible, visit the brand’s production facility before putting a product on your shelves to ensure its mission and standard operating procedures mesh with your own; and lastly, do not sell your space short. Remember that brands need a reputable store and well-educated staff to sell their product, so leverage your position as a buyer and do not be afraid to ask questions or negotiate.