When co-owner Kalie Down officially “took over the business on May 23rd, 2024,” she decided to do more than just revive a dispensary — she reimagined a community hub. This location was once known as TJ’s on Broadway. These days, the Broadway Street storefront beats with bright color, local art and a lineup of events that feel more like block parties than business promotions. For Down, who grew up nearby and still has family in Salem, the mission is deeply personal. She’s seeking a place where culture and Cannabis collide.
Down’s road to shop ownership wasn’t straightforward. She left a “secure state job” in 2019 and took “a major pay cut” to pursue her passion for Cannabis. She learned fast, handling scheduling, inventory and the Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance system. After a series of corporate buyouts at the shop, she hoped for a promotion, but she said that “they brought in their own manager instead.” Discouraged but determined, she moved to outside sales, grinding through the “tough Salem and north coast” territory. Soon, a call came that changed everything: “We want you to come run the store.” When Down returned, “sales were booming,” and the shop “did a 360.”
The opportunity to take over the blossoming business presented itself, and as a longtime medical cardholder, Down already had the connections to build her team. She stepped into the scene with her friend (and now business partner), Jesse Johnson, then the head extractor at Artifact Extracts.
The shop’s spot, as Down admits, is “not in the greatest location,” but she turned that challenge into an opportunity, harnessing the prime parking lot for events and pricing for the people around her. Inspired by Portland’s Arcanna shop model, she introduced a 40% industry discount for workers with Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission licenses, making Up N Smoke a go-to for everyone from budtenders to bartenders. There are also specials aimed at “neighborhood people” who want quality without breaking the bank, like “25% off during happy hour.” The store has already carved out a reputation as a hub for the hottest items. “Our store is known for selling top-tier rosin,” Down said, with exclusive access to certain brands in Salem.
Inside, Up N Smoke feels more like a cozy artist’s loft than a cookie-cutter dispensary. The walls are bright yellow and teal, dotted with “art from our personal houses,” “giant rock crystals” and Down’s personal posters. Local glassblowers — and Up N Smoke team members like Otto Sturdivant (@hoodrattshit) — stock shelves with handblown pieces and custom eyewear. “Our personalities are imprinted on the walls,” Down said.
Out back, a massive parking lot transforms into a community cultural playground, with block parties featuring free vendor spots for “local arts and crafts, home-baked goods and whatever you got.” Expect live DJs, food trucks and a family-friendly addition like a “booth or treat” at Halloween. Up N Smoke also hosts “The Burnout,” a low-rider and motorcycle show spearheaded by Sturdivant, with tattoo artists, food, music and a charity car wash benefiting the “Great Marble Hunt,” an event from local collective and studio, The Glass Union. All of it, Down said, is meant to “get people … interacting with each other in the neighborhood.”
Dreaming of the future, Down hopes to expand events with “more comedy shows” and open the space for community gatherings. When the smoke settles, these folks aren’t simply cashing in on Cannabis; they’re building a place where Salem’s makers, movers and neighbors can connect and keep local culture alive.
