Harvest House, a landmark located at 211 South Bridge Street in Nederland, has been a staple in the Nederland marijuana industry since 2009. Stacy Jay, the owner, has been at the forefront of the business from its early stages. However, after over a decade of operation, Harvest House is now facing the inevitable winds of change.
Stacy Jay, a seasoned entrepreneur in the marijuana industry, made a bold move by expanding into Crested Butte with a second Harvest House. However, he decided to part ways with the Crested Butte location about a year ago, citing the changing landscape of the marijuana market. According to a post on Jay’s Facebook page, he believes that the era of numerous pot shops in every mountain town and the boom of pot tourism have passed.
“The days of every mountain town supporting four or five pot shops are done. The boom days of pot tourism have passed. Good luck to the corporate buyers and good luck finding budtenders,” expressed Jay.
Now, Harvest House in Nederland is going through a significant transition. Jay is holding a “going out of business sale,” scheduled for the week of January 22, as indicated by the open sign. The prime location of Harvest House, strategically positioned to capture Eldora Ski Resort traffic, has been a coveted spot for years.
Despite still having four years left on his lease, Jay is moving away from the marijuana business. When asked about the future, he hinted at potential projects related to organic gardening and genetics for the space.
“The future of marijuana is to be pre-packed, sterilized, and irradiated.” Meanwhile, he still uses a scale and glass jars for his organic bulk flower, emphasizing the changing dynamics in the industry.
As Jay navigates the complex regulatory system to close the store, he reflects on the town of Nederland. Expressing a mix of regret and concern, Jay commented, “Everybody’s nostalgic about what it used to be like. How much more dysfunction can there be?”
In the midst of the changes, Harvest House still offers a variety of strains, edibles, and topicals, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a final blowout sale. The fate of Harvest House reflects not only the evolution of the marijuana industry but also the shifting dynamics of small mountain towns like Nederland.
