SUNDERLAND — The retail cannabis dispensary Altai Alternative Care Inc. is approaching its opening day, with the owners aspiring to help their customers pick the perfect strain or product for them.
Matt Townsend, 33, of Beverly, and his older brother John Townsend, 39, of Hamilton, signed the lease for the 2,500-square-foot space at 267 Amherst Road from Chris Seaver last summer, kickstarting a long process of approvals.
The brothers’ consultant Peter D’Agostino from Tenax Strategies ensures that Altai Alternative Care follows municipal and state protocols. According to D’Agostino, the state Cannabis Control Commission visited the site on Aug. 18 for a post-provisional license inspection. Before the dispensary can open, the CCC must issue a final license, which D’Agostino hopes to see on the commission’s Sept. 11 agenda. If Altai Alternative Care receives a final license, the CCC will make another stop in Sunderland for another inspection. Seven to 10 days after receiving full licensure, the dispensary can open.
If Altai Alternative Care receives its final license on Sept. 11, D’Agostino said the company plans to open later that month or in the beginning of October.
Brothers John and Matt Townsend lean on the new sign for their company, Altai Alternative Care. STAFF PHOTO/AALIANNA MARIETTA 
A look inside Altai Alternative Care in Sunderland. STAFF PHOTO/AALIANNA MARIETTA 
Customers at Altai Alternative Care in Sunderland will ask for products at the desk before an employee picks them out from the vault. STAFF PHOTO/AALIANNA MARIETTA
To transform what was once the home of an engineering company into a dispensary, the Townsend brothers hired Seaver’s Charlemont company, Seaver & Sons Custom Builders, to build a new wall for a breakroom and office. They also installed a vault to store the products and hired four employees. They hope to hire nine more employees, with 10 of the 13 total working full-time and the remaining three working part-time.
Besides the remaining license and inspection, D’Agostino said the shop is ready for customer traffic.
“When you’re done and just waiting to open, it’s definitely the challenging part,” he said, adding that locals have already been peeking at the business’ sign and asking about its opening date.
Inside, the dispensary will sell a sweep of cannabis products, including edibles, flower and concentrates made with cannabis from vendors both near town and across the state.
According to D’Agostino, after background checks, all staff must complete eight hours of training per year, which is divided into four hours of state-mandated Responsible Vendor Training and four hours of Altai Alternative Care’s own general training. The business’ training focuses on the distinct qualities of the cannabis strains and products, and other questions that may come up when interacting with customers.
Matt Townsend said he and his team of employees aim to guide visitors through their purchases, helping them pick the perfect strain or product.
“We’ve said from the beginning this is a store that we want to be a place where people can come and learn about cannabis and get comfortable with it,” Townsend said. “We really pride ourselves on customer education.”
“Altai” refers to the Altai Mountains in central and East Asia, where a pouch of cannabis seeds from a frozen burial in 300 B.C. was discovered, according to ScienceBreaker.org.
The plant’s past and current purpose convinced Townsend to leap, alongside his brother, from the family business, Townsend Energy, and start Altai Alternative Care.
“For me, it’s certainly something that’s helped a lot of people, whether it’s for mental health or physical ailments,” Townsend said.
With six years of experience in the cannabis industry under her belt, Assistant General Manager Casey Hubert echoed Townsend’s call to cannabis.
“I’ve seen it help so many people physically, mentally, and even people who use it recreationally,” Hubert said. “It brings joy to people and brings people together.”
When building the team and designing the space, Townsend said he and his brother aimed to reflect their passion for cannabis.
“There’s a lot of love for the plant within this group,” Townsend said.
Both brothers said the sibling dynamic behind their business allows for easy collaboration.
“I always feel like I have the support of my brother,” Matt Townsend said, with John Townsend adding, “At Townsend Energy, it was one big family and you learn to work together. It’s really all we know.”
And when the brotherly bickering comes back? “You laugh it off,” John said with a grin.