Cultivating Community
We often hear about retail shops launching their own store brands, but every so often, we’re lucky enough to get a top-tier legacy brand opening its own storefront. Such is the case with Clarkies, one of the newest additions to the tight-knit dispensary lineup in Southern Humboldt.
Rachel and Clark Worswick have been cultivating indoor fire in the Triangle for more than two decades and launched their rec market brand, Clarkies, more than six years ago. Now, thanks to a fortuitous opening in the property market in Redway, the endearing hamlet neighboring Garberville, the pair have sprouted the next phase of their dream.
Clarkies Joint opened in August and immediately found its place in the community, serving a steady stream of locals and passersby looking for something a little out of the ordinary.
The Vision
Like so many people impacted by the collapse of the local economy after state-implemented legalization decimated the existing farming community, the Worswicks realize that they have to get creative and diversify the way their brand reaches the market. The first step was opening a retail location where they could not only sell their own branded flower but put on their favorite brands and their friends’ products.
Rachel Worswick has some firsthand experience with the difficulties facing the Triangle community after spending time in the Oregon Cannabis community during the oversaturated market downturn of 2017-18. “I definitely see the climate of the market, and I’ve been studying since the Oregon days how to stay alive when the market does this,” she said.
In addition to providing a friendly retail space where locals and tourists can find their own fire and medicine, the couple also has big plans sprouting for the building. They’re working toward a distribution hub, a 16-light indoor grow facility where clients can custom-grow and custom-harvest their own Cannabis, and, upstairs, a fully appointed Airbnb. (We stayed there overnight during our visit, and it was comfortable, cozy and came fully stocked with Clarkies flower and multiple bongs to utilize).
The Vibe
When you first pull up to Clarkie’s Joint, you’ll be struck by the colorful facade adorned with paintings of weed, mushrooms and even Sasquatch. Painted by Bay Area street artists Illuminaries, it’s the brightest storefront we’ve seen in the community, and it belies the playfully psychedelic approach and street art roots of the owners.
Inside, you’ll find a cozy space with shelving on one side, a bench with magazines in front of a wall-size bud shot with the Clarkies logo, and a counter at the end opposite the door. The space isn’t huge — and it doesn’t need to be. They’re not trying to be a warehouse of Cannabis or an Apple Store for weed. This is a tightly run shop for people who want to buy from folks who know what they’re doing.
The Mix
The product mix isn’t overbearing at Clarkie’s Joint — like we said, they’re not a shop that carries anything and everything. The selection is tightly curated, and fairly priced. “We want to be able to move through the product for freshness and variety,” Rachel Worswick said.
Aside from Clarkies’ own top-tier indoor flower — which should not be missed — you’ll find some locally crafted favorites, like Arcata Fire extracts and a number of offerings from the Redwood Roots family of farms. You’ll also find a few of the more widely available products, such as Wyld gummies.
Clarkie’s also has a few collaborations planned, including projects with Ridgeline Farms and Huckleberry Hill, so keep your eyes peeled for those.
Be sure to ask them about their selection of trophy Jerome Baker glass — they have a few awesome pieces in the shop.
The Service
While Clarkie’s Joint definitely focuses on bringing the heat, they are a community shop, and the staff aims to serve the community that relies on it for relief.
“Lots of customers around here are the older customers needing edibles for pain, or people driving through needing a joint after their long drive,” Rachel said.
Rachel and Clark can often be found behind the counter, but they also have a solid crew behind them who can help customers find what they need.
The Roll-Up
One thing that almost everyone can agree on is that preserving legacy communities and bolstering Cannabis tourism are major steps on the road to building a thriving industry in which craft, mid-size, and large businesses can healthily coexist. With their new retail spot and their plan to create a tourism destination for craft Cannabis connoisseurs, Clarkies is on the right path.
If you ever find yourself in Redway, make sure to stop in and pick up some of their flower, and snag some of the other local craft brands while you’re at it. They represent a part of the culture that needs to be preserved and savored.
Budtender Recommendations
Friendly Brand FSO and Moon Made Farms flower –Dillon Smith
Honey Butter Rosin Co rosin and Sheman Snacks gummies –Reed Kennedy
Friendly Brand Nucleus carts, Clarkies HFCS, and Shaman Sluggers –Kelly Hicks
Manzanita Naturals The Fizz 100mg soda and Bigfoot gummies local rosin –Rachel Worswick
Clarkies LA Pop Rocks, Sharpy, and Crush flower –Clark Worswick
