It all started with a failed drug test.
For years, Kris Pearce put food on the table as an operator, working in Manitoba’s oil fields and on its highways. But in the process of applying for a new job, he tested positive for cannabis and was denied the gig in spite of the legalization of cannabis in Canada. It’s a common story with an uncommon ending – because rather than try to “clean up” for the next job application, Kris decided to start his own cannabis store and “spread knowledge about cannabis instead of misinformation,” as he puts it.
That was the spark that led Kris and his partner, Lisa Garlick, to open the doors of Crescent Cannabis, a boutique cannabis retail store nestled in rural Souris, Manitoba. Offering everything from pre-rolls to topicals to edibles and beverages, Crescent prides itself on fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere and keeping the culture alive.
“I’ve been to a lot of other stores and they seem very sterile,” Kris explains. “I’ve been involved with cannabis for almost 30 years now, so I’ve embraced the culture. I try to make my store fun and more approachable.”
By all accounts, Crescent is making good on its mission. Patrons appreciate Kris’ wealth of knowledge as well as the friendly environment Crescent provides. Customers also say they feel comfortable to peruse the shop and ask plenty of questions, and they appreciate the glass displays that allow a good look at the products and packaging.
Choosing a Cannabis Technology Partner
Along with a relaxed shopping experience and top-notch customer service, Kris and Lisa knew they’d need a reliable point of sale system to run a successful dispensary. They also knew the importance of remaining compliant with Canada’s cannabis regulations. Kris remembers talking to one POS provider that sounded promising, but after more discussion learned they were not processing sales in Canada at all.
Ultimately, Kris and Lisa settled on Cova for their cannabis tech needs. With headquarters in Vancouver and support staff across the country, the couple knew Cova would understand the ins and outs of Canada’s cannabis regulations – and the results speak for themselves. “Since we started using Cova Pay and the Cova POS system, everything has been seamless and flawless. Transactions are super easy and lighting fast – our customers often say, ‘Wow, that was real quick!’ The integration between Cova Pay and Cova POS works so smoothly that we haven’t had any hiccups so far,” Kris says.
Lisa says she especially loves the POS reports Cova provides. “The fee reports are so much simpler and clearer compared to the outdated ones that I used to get in my previous bookkeeping roles,” she says. “Now, we can easily track what, where, when, and how much without any hassle.”
Another feature Kris and Lisa love is the Cova Hub. Inside the Hub are daily, monthly, and year-end reports that allow them to quickly check profit and loss margins with two clicks. “It’s a smooth process that saves us so much time,” Lisa says.
Overall, this cannabis couple say their experience with Cova has been fantastic. Crescent’s customers appreciate the efficiency with which they can check out, and Kris and Lisa love how easy Cova makes running their operation.
“I highly recommend Cova. It makes life so much easier, especially during month-end reporting. What used to take an entire weekend to compile manually now takes just five minutes with Cova. If you’re still handling reports the old-fashioned way, switching to Cova will save you a ton of time and stress,” Kris concludes.
Ready to see how Cova can help streamline your cannabis retail operation? Click the button below to book a free demo today!