Harborside Inc. Acquires Full Ownership of Seaside, California Store

Rhea-AI Summary

Harborside Inc. has announced the acquisition of a 50% interest in its Seaside, California store, bringing its ownership to 100%. The deal, valued at US$440,000, was completed on May 18, 2022, as part of a legal settlement with a former partner. The Seaside Store, branded as Urbn Leaf, has evolved from a thrift store to a cannabis retail location. CEO Ed Schmults emphasized the importance of establishing a prominent retail presence in California's cannabis market, particularly in Northern California.

Positive

• Acquisition increases Harborside's ownership in Seaside Store to 100%.
• Strategic location on Monterey Bay expected to attract both residents and tourists.
• Acquisition cost structured over several years, minimizing immediate financial impact.

Negative

• Legal settlement involved in the acquisition may indicate previous partnership challenges.
• Acquisition cost of US$440,000 could pressure cash flow in the long term.

 Announcement underlines Company's commitment to expanding its retail platform

OAKLAND, Calif. and TORONTO, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Harborside Inc. ("Harborside" or the "Company") (CSE: HBOR) (OTCQX: HBORF), a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, today announced that it reached an agreement on May 18, 2022 to acquire (the "Acquisition") a further 50% ownership interest in its Seaside, California store (the "Seaside Store"). The Acquisition will result in the Company owning all of the issued and outstanding securities of 680 Broadway Master, LLC (the "Membership Interest"), which owns the Seaside Store, bringing the Company's interest in the Seaside Store to 100%.

The Seaside Store, which is branded under the Urbn Leaf banner, has an unexpected origin, having transformed from a thrift store back in June 2019 into its current contemporary retail cannabis location. The Seaside Store is conveniently located in the heart of Seaside (on Monterey Bay), just off Broadway Avenue. Monterey Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, Ribera Beach, Lovers Point Park and other attractions are located nearby.

"A leading retail footprint is fundamental to our objective of becoming one of California's leading, fully-integrated cannabis companies," said Ed Schmults, Chief Executive Officer of Harborside. "We're excited to acquire full ownership of the Seaside Store, a great location on Monterey Bay that caters to both area residents and tourists. We look forward to further expanding our retail footprint in Northern California."

The Acquisition was the result of a legal settlement with the Company's former partner in the Seaside Store (the "Former Partner"). As a result, the total cost of the Acquisition was only US$440,000 (the "Total Consideration"), with US$100,000 to be paid upfront (the "First Installment") and the balance payable over seven years, with US$50,000 being paid on the first to sixth anniversaries of the First Installment, and US$40,000 being paid on the seventh anniversary of the First Installment. To secure the timely payment of the Total Consideration, a security interest in the Membership Interest will be granted to the Former Partner, including all economic rights and governance rights.

About Harborside

Harborside, a vertically integrated enterprise with cannabis licenses covering retail, major brands, distribution, cultivation, nursery and manufacturing, is one of the oldest and most respected cannabis companies in California. Founded in 2006, Harborside was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States. Today, the Company operates 14 dispensaries covering Northern and Southern California and one in Oregon, as well as a manufacturing facility in Oakland, California, distribution facilities in San Jose and Los Angeles, California and integrated cultivation/production facilities in Salinas and Greenfield, California. Harborside is a publicly listed company, currently trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the ticker symbol "HBOR" and the OTCQX under the ticker symbol "HBORF". The Company continues to play an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California and Oregon consumers.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. To the extent any forward-looking information in this news release constitutes "financial outlooks" or "future-oriented financial information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information.  All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to the future success of the Seaside Store, the Company achieving a leading retail footprint, the Company becoming a leading, fully-integrated cannabis company, and the Company's future performance.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion and acquisitions; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the period ended December 31, 2021 and the Company's listing statement dated May 30, 2019, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is indirectly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The Company's securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harborside-inc-acquires-full-ownership-of-seaside-california-store-301551018.html

SOURCE Harborside Inc.

FAQ

What was the date of Harborside's acquisition announcement?

The acquisition was announced on May 19, 2022.

How much did Harborside pay for the Seaside Store acquisition?

Harborside paid a total of US$440,000 for the acquisition.

What percentage of ownership does Harborside have in the Seaside Store after the acquisition?

After the acquisition, Harborside now owns 100% of the Seaside Store.

Why is the Seaside Store important for Harborside?

The Seaside Store is crucial for expanding Harborside's retail footprint in Northern California.

What is the future payment structure of the acquisition cost?

The acquisition cost will be paid over seven years, starting with US$100,000 upfront.