Haverhill Cannabis Retailer Stem Celebrates Five Years in Business

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Stem Haverhill celebrated five years on Washington Street with a ribbon cutting Friday, May 30, with owner Caroline Pineau doing the honors. Joining her, from left, are Bruce Stebbins, acting chair of the state’s Cannabis Control Commission; Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Katie Cook; Sharoline Galva, representing state Sen. Pavel M. Payano; Ward 1 City Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere, Ward 4 City Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski; and Stem staffers Maritza Spindler, Jocelyn Rafferty, Amanda Rafferty and Ceciley Bigler. (WHAV News photograph.)

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Stem, Haverhill’s first of four cannabis shops, celebrated its fifth anniversary with four days of events at its 124 Washington St. store last week.

On Friday, May 30, with several dozen customers and dignitaries in the audience, owner Caroline Pineau cut a ribbon to celebrate the moment. State Cannabis Control Commission Acting Chair Bruce Stebbins told those assembled how impressed he is by the success of Stem.

“This is a business that is not easy to get into or to sustain,” Stebbins said. “And the license comes with an obligation to give back to the community. Clearly Stem is doing that. Congratulations.”

As she looked out from under a colorful archway of party balloons, Pineau said it was a stunning moment for her. “We’ve grown with this city and we are honored to be part of the downtown community,” Pineau said. “We want to thank our customers and community for supporting a small business with big dreams. We could not have done this without all of you. Here’s to an amazing five years and a future we’re building together.”

Pineau also showed off a new mural on a flower theme in the front lobby by Boston-based artist Hailey Bonia. She also led tours of the unfinished second and third floors where the shop is planning to expand.

As WHAV reported in March, Pineau and her husband and co-owner Adam Pineau recently won a $500,000 Cannabis Social Equity Grant to develop the rooftop and the second and third floors of their 6,400-square-foot 1882 era building to create what they are calling a “state of the art” social consumption center. It would include a smoothie and juice bar, educational programming and golf simulators.

Pineau said they are also considering applying for a permit to serve alcohol, but state law requires those two activities be in separate spaces.

Plans call for the installation of an elevator and a new staircase at the rear of the building to comply with the Americans with Disability Act, Pineau said. The couple is currently in the process of applying for the necessary permits from the city.

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