Uncle Herb’s, Homer’s first retail cannabis shop, could open in May in time for the start of the traditional summer tourist season on Memorial Day weekend.

Remodeling continues for the store on Ocean Drive next to the Homer Farmers Market. The remodeling process involves new doors, security cameras and other renovations.

“It’s going well. We’re building it out,” said Aaron Stiassny, son of Uncle Herb’s owner Lloyd Stiassny. “We’re getting there for sure.”

Once remodelling and other improvements have been done, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board will do a final inspection and, if everything is approved, then issue the store its license.

In September 2017 the Homer City Council gave its approval to Uncle Herb’s, the first marijuana retail store application to come before the council. Lloyd Stiassny owns the building. When finished and licensed, the store will bring new jobs to Homer for a manager and sales people, “budtenders,” as they’re called in the industry.

“Definitely, we want to support local jobs in the community,” Aaron Stiassny said.

He did not have a firm date for the store’s opening but was encouraging that it would be soon.

“It’s looking good for next month,” he said.