The City of Antioch has its first ever cannabis retail store in the heart of its downtown which is already bringing additional foot traffic to neighboring stores.
Off the Charts, which opened in mid-November, will hold its grand opening event later this month (Jan 31/Feb 1) and has acknowledged they want to be part of the revitalization efforts of the downtown while supporting other businesses and community organizations.
Off The Charts was able to finally open after council action back in Aug 2024, however, this dates back further to a Use Permit request in June of 2022 under another potential tenant.
Cannabis goes back even further when on May 2, 2018 the planning commission approved its ordinance allowing for cannabis businesses in the City of Antioch—by October 2020, the City council adopted the ordinance. Finally, by October 2021, the council adopted amendments to allow for retail cannabis dispensaries in the downtown area.
Cannabis has provided the City of Antioch with additional revenue helping the city budget. According to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the City of Antioch reported $7.4 million in taxable sales in 2024. Which was up from $6.83 million in 2023. In 2021, the city reported just $1.7 million from cannabis sales.
According to Marissa Molloy, Northern California Regional Manager, she says of Off the Charts is a family-owned business out of Southern California with more than 25-locations opening over the past 7-years. San Francisco, its first Northern California operation, opened 2-years ago followed by Riverbank. Antioch will be its third location up north with other stores also planned in Monterey and Manteca.
“We are a super family-oriented business, we are community based with a personal shopping experience with budtenders,” said Molloy adding it’s a personal shopping experience.
She credits their customer service as to how they were able to open so many locations so quickly across California saying that they provide quality products and a little bit of everything.
“Whether you are 18 years old with a medical card or 65-years-old looking for medical cannabis, we carry something for everyone,” explained Molloy. “The economy is rough so we have prices for everyone with pre-rolls from $3 up to $60. We have a price point for everyone. We also offer first time deals and deals throughout the week. It helps a lot of people.”
Off The Charts ended up in the City of Antioch after meeting with Sean McCauley and it “clicked”. In the end, they wanted to be in downtown Antioch and in Contra Costa County.
“We wanted Antioch because the community is beautiful, the river is a short walk from us and wanted to be a business that would bring people downtown and feel safe,” explained Molloy who added they offer 24-hour security and be able to uplift the community.
Building owner Sean McCauley explained it’s been a long four-year process from initial concept and application to approval from the city. He also admitted he was anti-cannabis before doing a 180-opinion change after doing some homework.
“For years, I was anti-cannabis. I didn’t like it, but when I dug into the business and who is purchasing medical marijuana and who is using cannabis products, they are not who we think they are. 44% of cannabis purchases coming from Brentwood and Oakley,” said McCauley saying its all public information. “Everybody thinks it’s a bunch of Antioch people getting stoned, its not true. When you look at products and how professional the business is, it’s not what people think it is. Its definitely beneficial for downtown Antioch to have a store like that.”
McCauley says the downtown has already seen an uptick in downtown traffic by more than 100 people per day. By the time the grand opening occurs, it is anticipated to have more than 300 patrons more a day.
“When my team and I really dug in and looked at the demographics, people would really be surprised by who is purchasing. They are good people, high incomes, and its much different than what is portrayed in the movies or even the perception.”
McCauley said within the next months, two more restaurants will be opening along with Sweets on Second which opened last month. He also released a concept video last week on a new business operation at the corner of 2nd and G Street.
In downtown Antioch, businesses have been hit with a rash of vandalism and theft
Downtown Safety
With cannabis, safety is often a concern, however, Off the Charts has committed to 24-hour security team. They do not only watch over their business, but have become eyes and ears of neighboring businesses in all hours of the day and night.
“Our guard is sitting out front so if any activity is happening within an eyes reach of us, our security has their back,” said Molloy. “We are not only providing security for us, but indirectly security for other businesses all hours of the night.”
Debbie Blaisure, owner of the Rivertown Treasure Chest, admits being hesitant in the beginning not knowing what a retail cannabis shop would bring, but it surprised her the people she has watched enter the facility and says its not the typical stereotype. She also is pleased at how much safer she feels.
“It’s been wonderful. The management is top notch, and we have secured a number of new customers who have never been in the store. We feel much safer with 24-hour security who has made friends with our vendors. I can’t say anything bad.”
Discount Program
Off the Charts also hopes to help other local businesses with a discount program where if someone shops at another business downtown, show them the receipt, they could get 15% off their purchase—its what the owner wanted to do to help other businesses and potentiality uplift others that may come to the area.
Never Used Cannabis? Some Advice
For those who have never used a product, Molloy does have some advice (as well as their blog on their website)
“Start off small, try more CBD versus more THC to get that more relaxing effect on your body,” stated Molloy. “CBD is going to be a muscle relaxer and pain relief while THC gets you high. There is also CBG which helps fight cancer cells.”
To get comfortable, it matters how much you use and how often one takes the product. Every effect is different, and each person will have a different effect occur. She recommends someone start off with 5 MG. If one is not comfortable with that, start with 2.5 MG.
“Start off small, you can always add more,” says Molloy.
While the stereotype of cannabis and medical marijuana is still out there, Molloy is quick to point out people come in everyday for different medical uses—but says all different types of people use it from grandma to lawyers, doctors and athletes.
“Thank you to the city of Antioch for allowing us to be a part of your city, we are here to help the community and uplift the downtown area while becoming one big family,’ said Molloy.
Off the Charts is located at 300 G St, Antioch CA. For more information, visit them at www.offthechartsshop.com/antioch. You may also contact them at (925) 798-4300.
4 comments
Something else for Antioch to be proud (?) of. “A family-oriented business”? Gimme my hip boots, the BS is mighty deep here…
Just what Antioch needs is another pot shop. I guess if we get people downtown now we can have a stroll and smoke festival.
A good area to open up a store that sells “munchies”!
Agree, Antioch doesn’t need another dispensary! My mechanic of over 20 years was tossed out of his space and lost his lease in Concord along with other tenants in the complex on Concord Blvd. Boo, Concord doesn’t need another dispensary either!