From the outside, Sweet Tree Farms might blend into Eugene’s crowded Cannabis scene, but inside, the roots run deep. Step inside and you’ll soon see why, after over a decade of dank, this locally-owned location has become the choice for everyone from long-time locals to industry insiders. They have a real “your favorite shop’s favorite shop” thing going on. We paid them a visit to talk with the team and Vice President/General Manager Johnny Nickelson.
To understand Sweet Tree’s success, you have to take a peek at its people. The only thing higher than Oregon’s dispensary turnover rate is its budtenders. But this is one of many spots where the shop shines. They keep a solid staff of over 20, a chunk of whom have been there from the beginning (something we rarely come across in this space). “You can buy all of this stuff up and down the road, considering how saturated the market is. The people behind the counter make all the difference,” Nickelson shared. “I hire people with ambition, drive and purpose, and I’m committed to supporting them both professionally and personally. When they grow, the shop grows. I strive to create an environment where my team can thrive, develop new skills and feel empowered to build a future, even if that future eventually leads them elsewhere.”
Manager and purchaser Bree Bidwell is one of the OGs of this team, a word that the crew is quick to correct: “We’re not a team, we’re a family.” It’s a cliche that the corporate world, including Cannabis, has abused in some sad attempt to sow connection and ultimately productivity in workplaces. But as Bidwell thoughtfully rounds up every budtender on shift to take part in the interview together, we get the feeling that “family” still has some meaning here. The crew explains that regular team-building events, like fishing trips or Galentine’s Day, may strengthen this meaning, but it’s a love of the plant and thirst for knowledge that unite them. “We share everything we learn with each other and are always eager to learn more,” Bidwell said.
She tells us that a key part of that learning process is building close relationships with the producers they carry, opening up lines of communication so that customers never leave without their questions answered or requests noted. This carries over into the customer culture, attracting mostly regulars that come back just to see their trusted budtender — a crucial tactic for a store that has more primo product options than any one shop we’ve visited yet.
At Sweet Tree, community isn’t a campaign. It’s the culture. Whether you’re looking for your next Cannabis purchase or a curated, family-friendly parking lot event, keep an eye on Sweet Tree Farms. This is one crew that will take good care of you.
