Velvet Wins 3 “Best Of” Awards from East Bay Times & Cannabis Business Times

Accolades Include “Best Dispensary” and “Best CBD Store” in East Bay Times, and “Best Companies to Work For” in Cannabis Business Times

Martinez, March 1, 2023 – Velvet Cannabis continues to win high honors for both the experience they offer their customers and their commitment to employee well-being. Velvet’s Martinez, California store has just secured awards for both “Best Dispensary” and “Best CBD Store” from East Bay Times for the second year running. Velvet also ranked first in California – second nationally – in Cannabis Business Times’ 2022 “Best Cannabis Companies to Work For,” an honor they’ve held since they opened that first location 3 years ago.

“When we began laying out our strategy for Velvet, it was clear that our employees would be our biggest asset and strength,” says Matt Morea, co-founder and COO. “We’re fortunate to have built such a great team of people who all share the vision of delivering a world-class customer experience.”

Velvet has consistently nurtured their team with generous benefits, work-life balance, development opportunities, and constant praise and recognition. For example, Velvet offers quarterly appreciation outings and monthly awards to recognize the best-performing individuals and teams. Budtenders are offered incentive plans and receive ongoing “goodie bags” with samples of new products, so they can act as knowledgeable “consultationists” to Velvet’s clientele. Full-time employees (which is 30 hours/week at Velvet) can expect healthcare benefits, paid time off, paid training, and 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.

“When you compensate, reward, develop and ultimately retain great talent, it provides an immediate, noticeable difference in the customer experience,” Morea said. The supportive employee culture translates to a welcoming experience for customers, who are always greeted with a smile and offered personalized guidance on Velvet’s curated selection of products. Happy Hours, senior and veteran discounts, and days off for employees to give back to the community are just some of the ways Velvet helps customers feel acknowledged and at home.

Velvet has locations in Martinez and Eagle Rock, California, with plans to open their second Los Angeles store at Wilshire and Bundy in Brentwood later this summer. Founders Matt Morea and Farid Harrison are excited to expand their award-winning retail experience to the larger Los Angeles market.

“It is important for us to offer something for everyone at Velvet – from the longtime enthusiast to those just discovering the products,” says Harrison. “We’re really proud of our staff and their ability to connect with everyone who comes through our door.”

About Velvet
Founded in 2019, Velvet is a full-service, premium retailer focused on providing an exceptional, efficient, and superior cannabis experience. We aim to deliver a new level of service with our well-curated and consistent menu, our knowledgeable, well-trained staff, and our focus on providing a consistent premium retail experience. Velvet opened its first location in Martinez, CA in May 2020, its second in Los Angeles in April 2022, and has plans to expand to additional communities throughout California. For more information on Velvet, go to www.velvetcannabis.com or follow Velvet on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.