New concept is the latest in cannabis retailing

It’s not your average cannabis shop.

A new concept that combines a day spa, a curated upscale dispensary and more has launched in California.

Humboldt Social, a Humboldt County, California-based group of businesses with a mission “to normalize connections between hospitality and cannabis’ is partnering with California cannabis wellness brand Papa & Barkley to open Papa & Barkley Social. The 7,000-sq.-ft. format features a curated dispensary, tasting room, luxury day spa, outdoor food truck and consumption lounge. It is located in Eureka, Calif., at Papa & Barkley's main production and manufacturing facility. (Humboldt County is a famed cannabis-producing region in Northern California.)

The spa features cannabis-infused massages and beauty treatments. Visitors can dine on offerings from the food truck on an expansive patio. The outdoor consumption lounge provides a relaxed social setting “where visitors can enjoy the finest locally sourced cannabis products,” according to a release. The “wellness shop,” which is stocked with CBD products, is filled with lush greenery and natural light.

The retail space opens up into the dispensary which, along with Papa & Barkey offerings, will sell products from a trio of local woman-owned cannabis farms.

"Papa & Barkley Social immerses guests in an elevated cannabis experience as they partake in traditional leisure activities,” said Adam Grossman, Papa & Barkley's founder and executive chairman. “It's a concept new to California. At Papa & Barkley we pride ourselves on helping people improve their lives with great products made naturally from this amazing plant. This partnership with Humboldt Social will help people understand the beauty of Humboldt County and the key role that cannabis can play in their lives."
 
“We gave a lot of thought to the design and wanted to disrupt the cannabis landscape with a totally new experience," said Aaron Sweat, CEO and co-founder of Humboldt Social. “We sought to celebrate local cannabis by creating a beautiful, open-feeling dispensary and pairing it with great amenities. This is the future of cannabis as we see it.”

Papa & Barkley Social will have an official grand opening on May 6.