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Mounds View EDA November 10, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 2 1 7. EDA BUSINESS 2 3 A. OPEN SESSION: 4 1. 2833 Mounds View Boulevard, Skylit Cannabis Proposal 5 2. 2833 Mounds View Boulevard, Eden Endeavors Proposal 6 7 Assistant City Administrator Beeman stated the EDA had two business proposals to consider for 8 the property at 2833 Mounds View Boulevard. He explained the City had two offers on the table. 9 He indicated the first was for a cannabis shop from Skylit Cannabis. 10 11 Justin Merkle, 5660 Groveland Hill Road in New York, thanked the EDA for considering his 12 proposal. He explained he was interested in opening a cannabis shop at the 2833 Mounds View 13 Boulevard property. He stated he currently operates a successful cannabis business in New York. 14 He indicated he began as an adult hemp grower and how had a shop also. He discussed how there 15 was hesitancy with this market when it was just rolling out and commented on how he has worked 16 to hold community events to teach people about the business and safe consumption. He reported 17 the majority of his clients were 60 to 80 years old. He stated he was proposing to open a retail 18 location that would allow him to have a drive-thru lane. He believed the proposed location would 19 be fitting for the proposed use. He indicated he was proposing to have a 3,000 square foot high 20 end cannabis retail shop that was compliant with all State requirements. He stated he plans to move 21 to Minnesota with his 13-year-old son in order to run this shop. 22 23 Mr. Merkle provided further information on his background noting he was a founding member of 24 the Cannabis Farmers Alliance in New York state. He then described how the exterior and interior 25 of the building would be designed. He estimated he would have 15 to 20 staff members that were 26 active daily. He reported his mission would be to operate a business that was rooted in honesty, 27 compliance and community. He discussed how he believed in giving back to the communities that 28 he was involved in. He explained he was the founder of UFOC (United Future of Cannabis) which 29 was an organization that would fight for fairness when it came to cannabis. He reviewed his 30 proposed timeline for the retail shop which he hoped to be in operation in the next nine to twelve 31 months. 32 33 Commissioner Lindstrom asked how Mr. Merkle found the City of Mounds View. 34 35 Mr. Merkle stated he was calling around asking about registration slots after his process fell 36 through in Oakdale, Minnesota. He commented on how difficult the registration process was in 37 the state of Minnesota. He thanked the EDA for considering his proposal. 38 39 President Meehlhause questioned how the drive-thru would be monitored to ensure patrons were 40 21 years of age or older. 41 42 Mr. Merkle explained everyone in the car would have to show an ID and must be over the age of 43 21 or a sale could not occur. He reported he would also be offering curbside deliveries for people 44