Known for their moniker, “Why pay more?” Green Lion has grown exponentially over the last decade, expanding from a single storefront into four fully-fledged, brick-and-mortar locations. Shop locales include St. Helens, which first opened over 10 years ago; North Bend; Clackamas; and most recently, Portland, which opened to the public on Aug. 1 of this year. That’s not the end of this big cat’s domain, either. The rumble in the jungle has it that a fifth Green Lion will be joining the pride in Milwaukee in early 2025.
So what is it that brings in customers across multiple locations and cities? As previously mentioned, cost seems to be a significant factor for both new and returning shoppers. Store Manager Tony Gonzalez notes, “We have the selection, variety and price point for everybody.” Budget ounces, in-house pre-rolls and popular edibles are all priced competitively and ready to move. Each Green Lion location offers price matching on identical products, so if a specific item is available elsewhere at a lower cost, patrons can request a manager to adjust the fee or provide a discount.
A large selection of edibles is available at Green Lion dispensaries, with brands like Drops, Wyld and Mellow Vibes selling particularly well. Variety — both in edibles and products in general — is central to the business’s strategy for success. Their shelves are stocked with a colossal array of different companies and categories, and if a specific brand isn’t available, budtenders can often recommend a comparable item in quality and price.
Many shoppers come to Green Lion looking for the highest percentage Cannabis items available at the lowest price possible. The dispensary accommodates these requests swiftly and easily, but staff often provides additional information about things like terpenes, flavor profiles and alternative cannabinoids. This creates a natural education opportunity for consumers. Education, staff finds, helps empower clientele to reliably discover the products and experiences they seek. Informed customers are satisfied customers, and satisfied customers tend to be returning customers.
Of particular note, Green Lion hosts several different vendor days and events as a means to support their local communities and bring in customers. This past summer, the store partnered with the non-profit animal sanctuary The Asher House for two different vendor days where all proceeds were donated to the charity. Interim General Manager Tristen Page explains, “Staff love it, the community loves it. We like to actively incorporate events and do things to support our local communities.” To that end, the dispensary hosts an annual Thanksgiving giveaway, distributing 100 to 150 turkeys per shop location. Recipients of the festive fowls don’t even need to make a purchase — anyone who shows up that day can hop in line to receive a complimentary turkey. It’s very much like a king of the jungle to look out for their pack and it seems that Green Lion is doing just that.
