2020 Solutions was one of the first recreational stores in Whatcom County; their provenance as a previously upstanding medical dispensary made its legacy easy to continue. They have three locations in the county near Bellingham: Iron Street, right off I-5 and close to downtown; the Mount Baker Highway location, a few miles east of the city and a perfect stop on the way to the slopes; and the focus of this article, the Pacific Highway store, just a few miles north of Bellingham right off the Slater Road exit.
The great parking and easy-to-reach location make this stop off I-5 a simple decision. The bright exterior continues inside with a very well-lit store and displays that prioritize organization over packing as much product as possible onto the shelves. The space is well coordinated and very far from claustrophobic. Each section is well labeled and stocked with strong values as well as top-tier products available in Washington.
The revolving door doesn’t exist at this store; employees are long-term team members with a focus on product knowledge and customer service. As a certified Medical Cannabis store with Department of Health-approved products, patients can find educated recommendations and benefit from the tax relief associated with a medical Cannabis authorization. Furthermore, 2020 Solutions encourages customers to stack tax relief with daily and seasonal discounts, providing the best value the team can offer — something they take pride in.
I was able to spend some time with Isabel Garcia, a four-year veteran of 2020 Solutions, who has climbed the ranks from budtender to inventory manager to her current role as coach. She is now responsible for floor operations and training new employees across all locations; it’s a perfect recipe for a dependable customer experience across all stores. Her focus is on customer service, product knowledge and overall consistency. She believes in a comfortable approach to sales, letting customers dictate their needs and then helping guide them — based on current market knowledge — to products that fit the bill.
You won’t find a pushy or obtuse budtender at any of these locations. Garcia said it best: “It’s about the guests. You need to be knowledgeable, and we want people who want to help other people with any of their problems — we’re kind of like therapists, in a way.” This level of dedication and perspective on the current state of Cannabis creates a customer experience that is difficult to replicate.
So whether you’re a Whatcom County local or just passing through, do yourself a favor and visit one of 2020 Solutions’ locations — we’re confident you’ll be more than pleased with the experience.
Shop Favorites:
Flower: Water Tiger by Falcanna
Preroll: Dancing Queen by Honey Dew
Infused Preroll: Orange Sherb live resin-infused by Buddies
Concentrate: Forbidden Fruit by Oleum Extracts
Vape: Daiquiri live resin by Fire Bros
Cart: Hash Burger by Plaid Jacket
