As Zodiac Hemp celebrates 25 years in business, I had the chance to speak with the family behind the iconic Golden shop about their journey, the challenges along the way, and what has kept them going all these years.
Their answers reflect not just the evolution of one business, but the loyalty, resilience, and small-town spirit that define Golden itself.
• How did Zodiac Hemp get started?
Judy was inspired by The Still Eagle in Nelson and, as a self-described “hippie back in the day,” she saw an opportunity for something similar in Golden. Before opening Zodiac Hemp, we had several semi-successful ventures in the local restaurant scene, including Riverside Seafood, Donald Station Café & Campground, and The Falafel Shack. At that point, we were ready to move on from the restaurant industry.
As we explored new ideas, we learned more about hemp and the wide range of natural, sustainable products being made from it. From clothing and body care to boot laces, canvas, building materials, and even hemp-based plastics, hemp is a massive and still largely underappreciated market.
When we first opened, the original vision was a hemp gift boutique. Nearly everything we carried was made from hemp. Within the first year, customer demand led us to expand our selection of smoking accessories, and that side of the business grew naturally over time.
In the early years, we experimented with different services to help ensure long-term success. Those included The Falafel Shack and Juice Bar, Ed’s Tattoo Shop, and eventually building one of the most extensive inventories of smoking accessories in the region.
Our hope was to create a successful business with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and a chill vibe that people would feel comfortable in. Looking back, we think we achieved exactly what we set out to do.
• How has Golden changed over the past 25 years, especially around hemp and cannabis?
From our perspective, Golden really hasn’t changed dramatically, aside from the legalization of cannabis. Public opinion, especially around hemp, has not shifted as much as people might expect.
Hemp is not cannabis. Everything from how it is grown to how it is used is different, but many people still confuse the two. Prohibition and early media coverage began heavily demonizing both marijuana and hemp as early as the 1910s, and for many older generations, those beliefs still linger despite evidence to the contrary.
For the most part, the same people who used cannabis before legalization still do, just legally now. Our customer base reflects that. Those who understand hemp and its many uses remain comfortable and supportive, while those who do not understand the difference are often just as hesitant about a hemp store as they would be about a cannabis dispensary.
• A quick background on hemp
Hemp refers specifically to Cannabis sativa varieties that contain 0.3 percent THC or less. It is grown primarily for industrial, nutritional, and CBD-related uses. Hemp plants are tall and fibrous, often reaching six to sixteen feet in height, with minimal branching when cultivated for fiber.
Hemp has no psychoactive effects and is used across multiple industries, including textiles, construction materials, food products, CBD extraction, bioplastics, paper manufacturing, and biofuel. Its versatility and sustainability are why hemp continues to gain attention as an alternative to petroleum-based products and environmentally harmful materials.
• How did legalization affect your business?
Legalization did change our customer base, largely because we fully embraced our tobacco license and became a 19+ vape store, while still maintaining our original hemp gift boutique. We chose not to pursue a cannabis license because it would have required a complete shift in both vibe and product offerings.
Cannabis dispensaries are restricted to selling cannabis and smoking accessories, with no tobacco products allowed. Zodiac Hemp has always carried a much wider selection, including smoking accessories, organic Canadian tobacco, some cigars, and a broad range of gift items such as sage smudges, hemp soaps, hemp clothing, crystals, and honey candles.
That variety has always been central to who we are.
• What challenges have you faced, and what has helped you succeed?
There have been many hurdles over the years, but none that ever made us feel the business could not continue. We owe our longevity to our incredibly loyal customer base, especially during the harder years.
Working with family can be challenging at times, but it has also been deeply rewarding. It allowed me to raise my family on my own and provide a good living for myself, Trish, and my mom, Judy.
People might be surprised by just how loyal Golden residents are to the local businesses they love. Low season is very real here, and without that loyalty, many businesses simply would not survive. Strong customer service goes a long way, and in a small community, word of mouth truly can make or break you.
• What do you credit for reaching 25 years in business?
Our willingness to adapt and evolve with customer demand has been key. We found a niche that nobody else was filling and stayed committed to it. Over time, we have built a customer base that now makes a point of stopping every time they pass through Golden. In many ways, Zodiac Hemp has become a destination.
Purchasing the building and introducing vape products were two of the best decisions we made. Dividing the store into separate sections for smoking accessories and the gift boutique, twice, is one of the few things we regret. We learned that customers shopping for gifts were not overly concerned about the smoking accessories, and thankfully, separating the spaces did not significantly change who came through the door.
• Looking ahead
We are incredibly proud of the legendary status Zodiac Hemp has earned over the past 25 years, and we are excited about what the next 25 will bring. As the vape industry continues to evolve, we look forward to offering healthier alternatives to traditional smoking that meet the changing needs of our customers.
For anyone thinking about opening a business in Golden, our advice is simple: do something new. Find something the community needs but may not realize it yet.
Borrow as little money as possible to get started, listen closely to feedback, and stay connected to the community. If something is truly great, people will talk about it.
And always keep the small-town vibe in mind. People tell us all the time how much they love the homey, old-school feel of Zodiac Hemp, and that connection matters more than ever.
