Via the Winooski News, a project of University of Vermont’s Community News Service
Mark Frier has always been fascinated by the Winooski Dome Project.
Back in 1979, a night out inspired City Council members to pursue an avant-garde plan for Winooski: enclosing it in a dome. The gigantic dome never saw the light of day, but colorful illustrations of the proposal by architect John Anderson are still available online. This story, and Anderson’s drawings, inspired the look and vibe of Frier’s business, Dome City
“I read up quite a bit about it,” Frier said. “I just love that area of architecture and design. I just thought that was a fun thing to lean into because it is a pretty fun history of Winooski.”
Tucked in an old home-brewing space, Dome City is one of Winooski’s newest cannabis stores. Though the joint has a plethora of edibles and pre-packaged products, it prides itself on its selection of unpackaged flower, the dried buds of cannabis plants.
“We allow people to mix and match flower,” Frier said. “It’s like a deli counter at the grocery store.”
Dome City currently has nine brands of local cannabis flower for customers to choose from. The different flowers are sealed in Mason jars and showcased at the front of the store in a chocolatier case. The temperature-controlled case keeps the weed fresh despite the constant reopening and resealing of jars.
“Say someone comes in with $20,” general manager Megan Clendenin said. “We can weigh (cannabis) to the dollar to get them exactly what they can afford.”
Clendenin has been in the cannabis business since 2013. She started her work in Colorado and admitted that Vermont’s cannabis scene is much different than out west.
“Things about this market feel very new. The major difference here is the love for the farmers,” she explained. “Here feels more local, and that’s important to Vermonters.”
Clendenin assembled Dome City’s inventory by reaching out to growers not yet represented in the Winooski cannabis market.
“I mean, I don’t think you can be perfect all the time,” she said, explaining she has done her best to find a wide range of products to accommodate each customer.
Though Frier started in the restaurant industry, he saw the Winooski cannabis market picking up steam. A home brewer, he would often make trips to the old home-brewing shop on East Allen Street where Dome City now sits. Once Frier learned the space was up for grabs, he threw his hat in the ring.
“I can see it having a future that’s pretty bright, so I’m hoping to just ride that,” he said.
Frier and Clendenin said they had about two months to flip the spot from a vacant brewery to a functioning cannabis store. Clendenin first met Frier as he was building desks by himself in the empty shop.
“We were forced to quickly put this store together,” Frier said, laughing.
But the team is proud of their store and say it has maintained steady business. Each new customer gets a discount on their first purchase, and there are deals for medical patients, seniors, students, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, industry workers and hospitality workers.
“There’s a vibe in here that makes people feel good,” Frier said, motioning to the artwork and decor around the store’s counter.