Q&A with Stephanie McNabb, One Love Smoke Shop Manager
Shop locally for your smoker-friendly goodies in Fort Collins, CO.
In today’s environment, it’s nearly impossible to discover a small business that hasn’t been influenced by large online corporations. Smaller businesses have been hit the hardest since they simply cannot compete with these mega-retailers especially during the COVID- 19 pandemic.
With nearly over a dozen smoke shops located in Fort Collins, I’m here to give insight on why you should shop locally for your smoker-friendly goodies. I had the opportunity to speak on the phone with Stephanie McNabb, manager at Fort Collin’s local head shop One Love about why shopping at your local smoke shops during a time like now is especially important.
Tell me about One Love, What makes it stand out compared to other smoke shops located in Old Town, Fort Collins?
One Love is a local head shop here in Old Town, where we sell clothing, glass and water pipes, jewelry, CBD products, and even more. We have been in business coming up at 15 years here in Fort Collins, while also maintaining our Loveland and Greeley locations. When thinking about how One Love stands out, there are so many other local smoke shops here each with its own differences. We like to think we are more on the hippy side, we appreciate the free spirit feeling and maintain that old school feeling.
How would you describe One Love’s biggest consumers?
Well, we definitely have our regulars. I would say our most common consumer is young adults, especially college students. I am glad to say they were hands down our biggest supporters during the pandemic, keeping One Love going.
How would you say COVID-19 impacted One Love?
During the pandemic, we sadly lost plenty of employees. Our Fort Collin’s location fell very short because it felt like a ghost town. We had to even take a small moment to close the location and resort to pre-orders, pickups, and delivery services. It was odd because when we did re-open in May people were upset with us, but we did it to be helpful. We wanted to provide our CBD customers with the products that helped them because the last thing we wanted to see was our customers who have grown and worked hard to change their habits fall, our CDB products helped them.
How would you describe your company’s workplace culture? Have there been any changes since One Love is open and running again?
The workplace culture is very laid back and hasn’t changed much. The only real change is that we have become more strict due to the mandates but we wanted to be safe, we still try our best to instill this laid-back culture because it’s welcoming and comfortable. As coworkers, we have stayed tight nit even across our locations and have a positive dynamic. We stay open and comfortable while maintaining professional working friendships.
What kind of support has helped during this phase? What hasn’t been helpful?
Our customers have definitely been the most helpful. We had people coming in just supporting us by purchasing something small like a bracelet and sticker, still giving back to the shop. As well as our boss, he fought really hard for One Love to stay open because he cared about what we were making. What wasn’t helpful was the mandate. Not that the mandate was the problem, but I had to put up with plenty of customers who disagreed with it. Customers were upset and would leave but it only made me appreciate the customers who were safe and put up with the structure.
How did you and your team stay motivated?
Well, we all have bills to pay. If we didn’t work we were at a loss, a lot of us. If we shut down everyone would have left, including me. We were motivated and looked forward to the shop to get up and running again, I can definitely say I felt blessed having the opportunity to keep working here.
What is one message you have for local head shop customers in Fort Collins?
Always support small business, no matter what it is.
To start supporting Fort Collin’s local head shops visit Stephanie at One Love, located off of College and Laurel St. for your smoker-friendly goodies.
