Who you meet on the floor
At our Derby store, a host with an iPad helps you browse the menu and place an order. Toward the back of the showroom is the Bud Bar, where a budtender sits down with you. It needs no appointment.
If you have questions before you drive over, call us at 860-420-BUDS (2837).
Leadership and ownership
The company began as a venture between David and Janice, the Hartford Business Journal reported in 2022. After our first store opened in January 2025, David Salinas negotiated with the state Department of Consumer Protection to add the Bud Bar. He also picked 306 Market St in Hartford for its visibility at the I-84 and I-91 intersection, and that address is now our Hartford store.
We were built by local Connecticut people with local Connecticut investors. The longer story of how the company started is on our about page.
The Derby store team
This store at 90 Pershing Drive is the home of the Bud Bar. In April 2025, NBC Connecticut quoted Justin Sheridan as general manager. Justin managed another cannabis store in Groton before joining us.
To see what a session looks like before you come in, read our guide to the sit-down session. Store details live on our Derby store page.
How the team is built and hired
Before our first store opened, it planned for about 30 part-time and full-time employees and received over 500 applications, the Valley Independent Sentinel reported in its grand opening story.
We are hiring at both stores now, with our New Haven store coming soon. Roles can include budtenders, delivery drivers, inventory and compliance staff, and management.
How to recognize your budtender
Ask for them by name on your next visit. If you want to say more, leave a Google review for the store you visited and use their name.
The reviews we show come from the Google Business Profiles of both our stores. Look up our stores on Google by address, 90 Pershing Drive or 306 Market St.
Questions shoppers ask about our team
Who owns Hi! People?
We are locally owned, and our owners include co-founder and CEO David Salinas and co-owner Janice Flemming Butler.
Are your delivery drivers employees?
Yes. Every delivery driver is a licensed employee, and we are fully licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection.
How do I apply for a job at Hi! People?
Apply through Indeed, where we review applications on a rolling basis. Cannabis store roles in this state generally require workers to be 21 or older.
More answers about visiting are on our FAQ page.