Camelot Cleaners Could See New Life as Camelot Cannabis

Thanks to Blue Sky Bookkeeping, Pace Automotive, and West St. Paul Chiropractic for their support.

West St. Paul may get its second cannabis shop as a proposal goes to the Planning Commission on March 17. 

What: Camelot Cannabis is a marijuana shop proposed for the former Camelot Cleaners building on Smith and Bernard. 

• The space has been empty since Camelot Cleaners closed in 2021. A redevelopment proposal for boutique apartments never materialized.
• With NativeCare Cannabis Dispensary opening later this week, Camelot Cannabis would be the second cannabis shop in West St. Paul. The city limited cannabis to two shops (the minimum allowed by state law), though NativeCare is exempt from that limit because it operates under a state compact with the Red Lake Nation. 
• The proposal uses roughly half of the building, leaving the north half available for a potential second tenant.
• Drive thrus are not allowed under state law for cannabis shops, so Camelot Cannabis plans to demolish the drive thru canopy and remove the pick up window.

Process: The proposal will come before the Planning Commission on March 17 to consider a conditional use permit (CUP) and hold a public hearing.

• The plans need to comply with city code for hours and meet the parking minimum (it’s currently three spots short, but could be restripped with the removal of the drive thru).
• After Planning Commission it will come before City Council.

March 18, 2026 Update: Planning Commission

Planning Commission considered the CUP during a meeting on March 17.

• Clean up: As a former dry cleaner, the site needs some environmental remediation. How much depends on the extent of the renovations. As planned, there is some work required.
• Distance: The City of West St. Paul limits cannabis dispensaries within 1,000 feet of schools, though nearby Clover Montessori School does not meet the ordinance definition of a school. The state does allow cities to limit cannabis dispensaries within 500 feet of parks and daycares (presumably including Clover), though West St. Paul has not passed that limitation.
• Community input: Four people from the community spoke during the public hearing—three opposed and one supportive but with concerns.
• Vote: Planning Commission approved the CUP unanimously, with an added recommendation about signage to limit alley use.
• Next: The CUP will go to City Council on Monday, March 23 soon. If approved, then Camelot Cannabis would apply for state licensure and then would pursue site plans, which may need additional city approval, depending on the extent of the changes.

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