Known throughout Colorado as a mainstay provider of medical and recreational marijuana, the Denver-based company LivWell has opened a new location in Mancos.

While there was previously a store in Mancos at 449 Railroad Ave. No. 1, it closed Sept. 28 to pave the way for the opening of the new store, at 101 West Railroad Ave.

The store’s soft opening took place Saturday.

“We feel it’s a step for both ourselves and the community,” said LivWell CEO John Lord.

He said the location will provide better access for customer, and is more “dressed up” than the previous location.

Hailing from New Zealand, Lord moved to Colorado, working for a company that manufactured child seats and baby products.

“New Zealand was a hell of a commute,” he said. “It was better to move to Denver.”

Lord became bored with that job, and soon found himself immersed in the cannabis industry as it began to bloom in Colorado.

“We started in a modest way,” he said.

LivWell continued to grow, and the chain now operates 22 stores and employs 1,200 people.

While Lord and his wife, Debra, live in Denver, they visit the area frequently, he said.

“We’re very much involved with the local community,” he said.

They’re looking forward to partnerships with community organizations, including one with the creative district to create a mural on one of the exterior walls of the store.

LivWell Vice President of Cultivation Nate Fete is experienced in the cannabis industry, but said this company is different from others because of “the passion for the industry and attention to detail.”

And, not to mention, he said, the quality of the product – followed by laughter.

He used to live in Mancos, and he’s excited to see the Mancos store reimagined.

“I take it to heart,” he said. “I’ve been here for a while.”

The store has more than 60 third-party vendors and 2,500 individual products, both medical and nonmedical.