Cannabis company move into former Kmart in Eureka

Eureka, Ca., (KIEM) A new cannabis distribution company may be taking over the old Kmart building in Eureka.

The 5 acres, 50,000 square foot property stands empty after the operation closed down early October of 2017 along with 34 additional Kmart stores across the nation.

Since then, owners of the property who specialize in commercial development intends to lease or sell the South Broadway property as it has been unoccupied for over a year.

“A business has come in and apply to do a cannabis distribution company inside of that building and they have received that authorization from the current property owner to apply for that business,” said Rob Holmlund, Director of Development Services for the City of Eureka. “So if another big box retail store wanted to go in, the requirements would be relatively low, if somebody wanted to do a beer distribution there would be a series of things they would have to do, and if it was cannabis there would be a lot more things to do. So it really depends on what business wants to go in.”

The city doesn’t own the former Kmart property but it is within city limits which means the City of Eureka gets to determine what the zoning regulations for which types of businesses would be allowed there.

A public meeting will also be held at Eureka’s City Hall on December 10th at 5:30pm to hear what residents have to say about the proposed project. All comments, questions, and concerns welcome.