SPRINGFIELD – 6 Bricks, the Springfield-based cannabis business, has received approval for an address change of its planned dispensary from both the city council and Mayor Domenic Sarno.

The dispensary had originally been planned to be part of the Gasoline Alley complex on Albany Street, but challenges posed by the pandemic in order to have curbside service caused a change in location to the first floor of the Republican building on Main Street, according the mayor’s office.

Payton Shubrick, 6 Brick’s CEO and founder, said to Reminder Publishing that since receiving approval “When is it going to open?” has been “the million-dollar question.

She explained the company’s next step is to submit the newly amended Host Community Agreement to the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) for its approval. She believes the approval will be discussed on the CCC’s January 2021 meeting.

The build-out for the dispensary has started and with the approval from the CCC she said it would continue.

She said her intent is to “openly as quickly as possible” after finishing construction, receiving final approvals from the CCC and receiving building inspection like any other business.

“In reality we would like to open in the next six to eight months,” she said. The opening will depend on when the various approvals come as well as the build-out. She added the pandemic has affected the construction schedule.

Shubrick said she is looking to hire 15 to 25 people with preference given to Springfield residents as well as people who had been affected by the prohibition of cannabis.

All of the employees would take state-mandated training, which Shubrick said is four hours of classroom work followed by a 50-question exam. Potential employees must pass it in order to work in a dispensary.

Having a knowledgeable staff is important, she explained, as many customers are new to cannabis and will need advice about products.

The dispensary, when open to the public, will be 2,500 square feet with the rest of the space leased from The Republican will be used for “back of house” functions and storage. The new site gives 6 Bricks the opportunity to have “robust curbside” pickup, she said.

The new business had been required to make a presentation to the New North Citizens Council about the new location.

Sarno said in a written statement, “Based on the review by the city’s Internal Review Committee as well as the New North Citizens’ Council, as well as the city’s consultant and legal team, I am sending an amended Host Community Agreement to the city council for consideration of the 6 Bricks, LLC request for a Special Permit that is pending with the council.”

He added, “I will ask Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood to work with 6 Bricks LLC, the New North Citizens’ Council, and other neighborhood stakeholders to make sure neighborhood security concerns are appropriately addressed.  In addition, 6 Bricks has informed the city that it will create a community advisory board for the purpose of establishing open communication between the company and community members about neighborhood concerns.”