When Rob Brunsch and his partners founded Sparq dispensaries in 2020, they weren’t looking to simply compete in cannabis retail; they wanted to change the game. Coming from a luxury retail background, the partners envisioned a dispensary that would deliver the same caliber of customer experience as a high-end boutique.
“That was something we felt was missing in the dispensary landscape,” Rob explains. “We really wanted to start a company that focused heavily on the customer and providing a truly elevated, exclusive shopping experience.”
Today, that vision has grown into a multi-location retail brand known for consistency, professionalism, and service that goes far beyond the sale.
Success Born of Uncertainty
The Sparq team launched its first location in Peterborough, Ontario, at the height of pandemic uncertainty. Through the challenges, they never strayed from their plan: Grow slowly, grow sustainably, and never compromise on customer experience.
“We started with one store,” Rob says. “Then we opened three stores within about a year – all in Peterborough – before expanding to Norwood and now Lindsay. We believe in slow, sustained growth. If something’s not performing, we re-evaluate and reinvest in markets where we can truly thrive.”
The team quickly realized that success in cannabis meant mastering more than just sales and service. It also required navigating complex regulations and building a reliable retail tech stack. “The biggest challenge early on was navigating the regulatory environment,” Rob recalls. “That’s evolved a lot over the past five years, but Cova has really helped by automating so many of those checks and balances.”
Finding a Trusted Technology Partner
When it came to choosing a point-of-sale (POS) system for Sparq’s dispensaries, Rob says he and the team evaluated several options.
“We looked at TechPOS, Buddy, and Cova,” he recalls. “Cova offered the most all-in-one, turnkey solution for us. It had the robust support system, the reliability, and the integrations we needed to scale.”
From his very first conversations with Cova’s reps, Rob says the experience reflected the same professionalism he wanted Sparq to embody. “James, our sales contact, was very thorough and informative. Ashley from onboarding was phenomenal. She answered every question and made the setup smooth and seamless. Everything worked from day one,” he recalls.
That early experience set the tone for a partnership that has now lasted more than five years – a partnership Rob calls indispensable. “I’d rather cut off a limb than switch my POS provider,” he laughs. “A lot of other retailers chase small savings. But for me, the real value is in trusting something that works.”
Reliability and Support
For Rob, reliability isn’t just about system uptime; it’s about knowing there’s a real person on the other end of the line when you need help. “Cova’s support team is absolutely incredible,” he says. “I know them all by name… and I can tell any of my staff to call Cova Support if there’s an issue. I’ve never heard a single negative comment about them.”
That personal connection has been key to Sparq’s operational consistency. “We’ve grown with Cova, and we’ve seen Cova grow, too,” Rob says. “The new hub is phenomenal. The new reporting and analytics are great. Any time we’ve needed custom API integrations or new workflows, the development and support teams have met the challenge head-on.”
CovaPay: Fast, Seamless, and Built for Retail
According to Rob, one of Sparq’s biggest operational improvements came with the adoption of Cova Pay, a fully integrated payment solution.
“First of all, the hardware is just really nice,” Rob says. “The terminals are sleek, sturdy, and what customers expect from modern retail. And it’s fast. We’ve eliminated extra steps at checkout. It doesn’t matter what card a customer uses – Cova Pay figures it out automatically. It’s seamless.”
For Sparq, that speed translates directly to better customer experiences. “When customers are ready to pay, they just want to pay and leave. Cova Pay removes a step or two from every transaction, which helps us serve people faster without sacrificing service quality,” Rob says.
Just as important, it’s reliable. “We’ve had almost no downtime,” Rob emphasizes. “And if we ever have a question, we call or email and get a response right away. The support around Cova Pay is phenomenal.”
Powering a Premium Customer Experience
Sparq’s stores are bright, clean, and intentionally designed to break away from the old stereotypes of cannabis retail. “We wanted to separate ourselves from the traditional dark, stigmatized dispensary,” Rob said. “Our stores are bright, open, and professional. That’s part of the experience.”
Cova helps make that experience effortless behind the scenes. With searchable menus, real-time product data, and powerful reporting, Sparq’s staff can curate a wide product selection without compromising control.
“We offer a very SKU-heavy experience for customers,” Rob explains. “We’re not carrying 4,000 products, but we have significant choice. Cova makes it easy; it’s searchable, filterable, and I can see exactly how long it’s been since something sold. That helps us curate a big menu while keeping turnover healthy and inventory fresh.”
The insights also help with buying decisions. “At the back end, I can see all the information I need,” Rob says. “When I talk to other retailers, they tell me they can’t get the same level of reporting from their POS systems. That’s a big advantage for us.”
Growing with Confidence and Stability
Today, Sparq continues to grow on its own terms: sustainably and independently. “We’re truly an independent retailer,” Rob says. “We don’t have shareholders or outside investors, so we can focus on what matters most – our customers and our team.”
That independence makes choosing reliable partners even more important. “Sometimes it’s just not worth making a drastic change to save a few dollars,” Rob advises. “Stability and support are everything. If you find a provider that works – like Cova – stick with it.”
For new cannabis retailers, Rob offers simple advice: “Talk to other operators. Learn what works for them. Build a tech stack you’re comfortable with. And when something doesn’t work perfectly, communicate with your provider. Cova’s always been responsive to feedback and continues to improve with every update.”
A Partnership Built on Trust
After five years and multiple store launches, Rob’s confidence in Cova remains as strong as ever. “I place a lot of value in having used Cova since day one,” he says. “We’ve built a great relationship, and I have every bit of confidence that Cova will continue to deliver a product that exceeds expectations.”
Whether you’re operating your first dispensary or scaling to new locations, Cova’s reliable POS, integrated payments, and award-winning support make compliance and customer service effortless. Book a free demo today to see how we can elevate your cannabis retail experience.