Tom Addair, Megan Ritter, and Gabriella Vega and team at the grand opening for Hazy Haven.
In 2020, Manhattan-based entrepreneurs, Gabriella Vega, Megan Ritter, and Tom Addair, noticed a need for local and Kansas-based CBD and smoke products in the Manhattan area. To fill this market gap, they opened Hazy Haven in Aggieville in late 2020. “Our goal is to provide a high quality experience for everyone looking for information and products from our industry,” says Megan. The three co-owners chose to start the shop out of a passion for CBD products and the desire to be able to provide them to others in the community. “I’ve been working in this industry for six years now, and I love what I do and the connections I get to make with people in getting to know them and helping them find products that are right for them.”
While Hazy Haven offers a wide variety of products, what makes their business stand out is that they prioritize CBD companies and products based in Kansas. “We proudly carry five Kansas CBD companies to ensure high quality products for all of our customers. Our best selling CBD products are from a business called Quiet Trees, based out of Lawrence, Kansas, and they have an impeccable range of products, from pet supplements all the way to cream’s for skincare and salves for pain management.”
Their products were chosen in regards to local availability, quality, and the enthusiasm of their vendors for the CBD business. “Each of our CBD vendors were chosen not only based on the quality of product they create but also the passion in which they do it.” Megan adds, “ This makes us a local business working with other local businesses from across the state to try and grow and make information and high quality products available for everyone.”
Along with selling CBD products, Hazy Haven offers a colorful and creative variety of pipes and glass pieces, which are often featured on their social media and viewed by customers and passers-by as art in themselves . “Our other products include glass tobacco pipes to provide an outlet for the connoisseur of glass or tobacco products. Many pieces can be described as functional art and people will often just stop in to admire the intricate glass work.”
The retail space of Hazy Haven, located in Aggieville.
For Megan, Manhattan is an ideal location to open Hazy Haven, primarily because of the strong network of support the city provides. “Something I love about serving Manhattan is the relationships I’ve built with people over the years,” Megan continues, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support from the community.”
Grateful for the support the co-owners have received from the Manhattan, they have also been eager to give back as active members of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and 1 Million Cups engagement. Co-owner Gabriella Vega is an active member of the Women in Entrepreneurship community and was a featured speaker at the Fall Planning Retreat this August.
Nearing two years since opening their business, Megan and her co-owners are focused on the possibilities of growth and expansion. Megan hopes to better establish their social media presence and even open more locations. Visit Hazy Haven online, or in person at 607 N 11th Street, on the east side of Aggieville in Manhattan, KS.
