I started coming to Varda at the tail end of 2023. I'd just moved to the SGV when one of my…read morehousemates had come home with a big bag of weed and poetry to lay down about Rustin's service because my friend was that charmed by his care and knowledge that had our whole household blitzed out of our minds that night [Positive, always with that guy]. As my life has gravitated closer into the area through my work and studies in academia, research, and natural science niches, Varda has become a household staple and a place I've looked forward to stepping into across my day-to-day.
Now, it's not at all difficult finding high quality product in Los Angeles for more affordable prices. I'm originally from a place where cannabis was very violently criminalized, so in terms of accessibility, it's great having an abundance of local options. What's kept me coming back to Varda as a choice though is an experience that has complimented my lifestyle, and that is entirely a result of the staff and the care they pour into their craft.
If you ever have the fortune of working with them, Rustin and Aliyah alone are worth the trip over. For myself, my friends, and my colleagues that have passed through, both of them are incredibly thorough in terms of working to understand what their clients are looking for. Whether you're trying to slip in and out or looking to learn more about the products that are right for you, both of them are great for accommodating those details through whatever experience, abstractness, or specificity you come in with. Both of them have helped me find products that consistently meet my needs and preferences- be it celebrating my joys, releasing my grief, encouraging my introspection and creativity, managing chronic pain, relieving overstimulation, or just softening me up through the hostility of late-stage capitalism. :P They're well-versed in the science and industry behind the products as well as navigating details to match each person's budget and preferences.
Aside from those two, Jordan, Amy, Shane, and the tall bearded guy with the golden doodle whose name is slipping me have also been a part of the dispensary's charming formula that keeps me enthusiastic to return to an environment where I know I'll be met with care, listening ears, and good company.
The downside is that since the change of ownership, the store has lost its open-concept design (along with many beloved staff members) that once allowed customers to browse at their unique pace without the pressure of a single-file line. This set-up was a really great experience that I immediately missed as I typically visit at the end of a work or school week when I'm seeking mellowness and rest. Having that open-concept allowed me to take my time learning more about the store's products as I could leisurely sift through the shelves and discuss with the budtenders. In a city filled with botanic gardens, museums, libraries, and walkable charm, it was a really nice compliment to the local vibe. Through growing pains like these though, the staff continues to be the draw as they've continued to work to understand how to meet customers where they're at despite the high traffic flow.
Check 'em out if you're ever in the area! It's a short walk away from the Sierra Madre Metro rail and right off of Colorado. They've got a wide variety of products and price points and some really cool people that can answer any questions you have.
