Vashon’s first — and only — cannabis retail shop opened on Monday in downtown Vashon.

Euphorium — one of now five stores in Western Washington under the same name — has taken up residence in the Steneker building at the south end of town. It’s a quick start, given that the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Control Board only issued the venture’s license late last month.

Bentitou, who is also involved with the different ownership groups of the other Euphorium shops, described his vision for the Vashon store as being “neighborhood-centric.”

“This is a community-based store, not mass market,” he said in a recent interview with The Beachcomber. “The staff will get to know the customers who come in regularly. We hire from the community whenever possible, and we’ll be putting an emphasis on local growers.”

He added that their business model is focused on consumer education.

“We want to make sure that people understand the products and how to use them.”

He also said that the store’s initial opening will include a wide variety of products, but over time consumers will let them know what they want, and he will do their best to fulfill those requests.

Vashon’s Euphorium will have a medical cannabis endorsement, which means there will be at least one staff member on site certified as a medical cannabis consultant.

The “For Sale” sign will remain outside the building for the time being, as Euphorium currently occupies the space under a long-term lease. But Bentitou said that he “expects to be here for many years to serve the community. We run a professional organization with a focus on ethics and compliance, and we take this seriously.”

Euphorium is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, and the shop is still in need of staff. Bentitou said they are looking to hire a wide variety of people with varying skill sets. If interested in applying, stop by the store during business hours.

— Sarah Low