GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.. — The owner of a recently opened medical pot shop is crediting his mother with helping the business survive through the coronavirus pandemic.
PharmHouse Wellness opened the door of it's Wealthy Street location on March 19, just four days before Governor Whitmer's stay-at-home order went into effect.
“Business has been up and down. So we've noticed that business has been impacted by people's economic situation, you know, we're in the same boat," said owner Casey Kornoelje.
Kornoelje has worked as a medical mariuana caregiver or about the last decade. Opening up PharmHouse was a sort of culmination of his adult life's work.
The business never planned offer curbside or delivery services, but once the coronavirus hit that was all they could do.
“it's been a big change. A lot of adaptation,” Kornoelje said. “I do feel like there is still that bond there and I think it will only get better once we're able to be face-to-face in the store again.”
In figuring out who he could hire to help make the unanticipated delivery orders, casey could think of only one person: his mother.
"This business requires a certain level of trust and reliability. And so I couldn't look any other better place than that, my family for that.”
Patti Kornoelje says she is thankful to have the extra time around her son.
“We lost our oldest son and I, we were a close family to begin with. But once you go through that experience, it further solidifies the care that you have for one another. And so I wanted to be there,” Patti told FOX 17.
The whole family now just eager to start letting patients back inside and continue to grow the business.
“You have that kind of feeling like you're doing the right thing, then it falls into place," Patti said. "And I feel like things have fallen into place in lieu of the fear that's going on right now with the virus.”