A pot club is not a common thing for Denver despite its legal status. Two years ago, Initiative 300 was supported by Colorado voters. It allowed businesses to seek pot-use licenses if neighborhood or business group signs off. Denver became the first in the nation to launch such kind of program.
The first marijuana consumption establishment was opened in early 2018. The Coffee Joint allows the use of vaporizers and edibles in its properties.
In September 2017, Taylor Rosean and Megan Lumpkins decided to apply for the Denver Cannabis Consumption Establishment license. They aimed to own a weed-friendly gaming lounge. It’s only the third business to apply for this license in Denver.
Beginning entrepreneurs had to wait longer than they expected. They turned in the application on Thursday, June 7. And they have just got the green light to start their business dream called Denver Vape & Play.
It’s planned to be settled at 1753 S. Broadway in Denver, the center of the street’s “green mile” of pot shops. The lounge will be situated in an old auto-repair shop.
The Overland Park Neighborhood Association expressed their agreement in a letter. According to Rosean, “The neighborhood has been very open and supportive during this,” so he is optimistic about getting the city’s blessing. “This is a huge opportunity for cannabis in Denver in general,” he says.
Opening a Marijuana Vape Gaming Lounge in Denver
When Taylor Rosean was a high school student, he couldn’t think about such an extraordinary venture as launching a social cannabis lounge with his mom. Yes, Megan Lumpkins is Taylor’s mother.
He remembers how she berated him for smoking pot. So, it was a surprise for him when she pushed him to take over the cannabis industry.
Rosean got the very idea for a marijuana lounge when he and his friend were visiting an arcade and were toying with the possibility to buy weed at the venue.
After making jokes about it, Rosean came home and read about the pass of Initiative 300 in the local newspaper. He took it as a sign.
Denver Vape and Play on South Broadway
Once the idea for Vape and Play was born, Rosean asked the industry’s insiders for advice. Everyone told him that a cannabis lounge for gaming was a great idea.
However, bringing it into life was not easy. But even an unsuccessful attempt to raise funds for his startup project via crowdfunding in 2017 didn’t stop him.
Rosean started to look for a reliable business partner and understood that his mother would be the best one. Together they began to encourage their relatives and friends to invest in their idea. It was a real challenge as there were not many people willing to throw cash on somebody’s fantasy. They made much effort. Eventually, they have got a necessary sum of money.
Though Vape and Play will be the second cannabis lounge to open in Denver after the approval of Initiative 300, Rosean calls it unique. Of course, marijuana will be the major element. But the lounge will be more than a designated weed zone where anyone can enjoy their cannabis vaporizer without feeling uncomfortable in social situations.
The primary focus is holding events and a saloon-style vape bar will happen to be in the back.
The event center will have a stage for musicians and comedians. It will be possible to have a yoga, bachelor or bachelorette party. Rosean even thinks of the possibility to organize educational seminars. He compares the activities of his future lounge with a restaurant that caters for all preferences.
Regular visitors will be able to enjoy board games. As for the kind of gaming that needs a controller, there will be special tournaments.
Rosean finds it frustrating that cannabis lounges are prohibited to provide their own food service. Because of this restriction, they won’t be able to cook any of the weed foodies (cannabis cookies, cupcakes, sushi) that are so trendy nowadays.
However, the businessman has found the way out of this. His plan is to get food regularly and host occasional catered meals with a help of vending machines.
The mother and son have established contacts with many South Broadway restaurants. Some of them have the best service in the city. The business partners find it important to give people space where they could enjoy both weed and food.
So, the place can be characterized as a social lounge and entertainment place for cannabis-loving adults. Rosean and Lumpkins hope that a multipurpose space will attract not only all of Denver’s different populations. They think that Colorado’s marijuana tourism business may get a boost. Marijuana tourists and marijuana business people that need a place to meet will certainly make the biggest client base.
So far, there’s hardly any place in the state where people can buy and consume cannabis without breaking the law. For sure, there are many people that want such space to exist. Rosean is excited and shares his emotions: “lt’s kind of crazy that we’re going to be one of the first ones.”
It’s vital for people, especially medical marijuana users, to have safe and legal places to consume cannabis or find the best dry herb vaporizer. Many of them don’t really know that they are illegal yet, as they already visit such events. But they are like private parties. The general public is unaware of them.
Soon, Denver residents will be able to see how green stuff lovers practice the use of cannabis and how safe it can be. If all goes as planned, Vape and Play will be ready to meet guests by the fall. “The market is ready for this, and the city is ready for this,” says Rosean.
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