Meet Toni Ann & Antonio The Team Behind The Scenes
- haley8199
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Toni Ann and Antonio work behind the scenes, handling some retail operations to keep stores stocked with the best hemp products. Their efforts ensure that when you walk into a store, the products you want are easy to find, well-presented, and ready to take home.
Favorite part of being part of the REC’d team:
Watching this place grow from the ground up has been the greatest privilege. We’ve had the unique opportunity to be here through ownership transitions, a name change, and expansions. Along the way we’ve built meaningful relationships with the communities we serve and love being a part of a team that continues to evolve while staying connected to the people at the heart of it all.
How long in North Carolina?
Toni Ann has been in NC since 2011 and born and raised in Florida and California.
Antonio has called Western NC home for most of his life.
What’s a “hidden gem” you think most people miss?
Whether we are on the ocean coast or along a mountain creek, the magic of this state is best felt when you slow down and actually touch the earth. Most people drive past the good stuff. We stop for it.
What is your favorite ‘spot’ in town to relax or spend a day off?
This might sound wild, but our favorite spot is The Rec Dispensary. We are homesteaders and home school our three little ones, so when we have childcare, coming into work actually feels like our escape. We get to laugh, connect with incredible people, and do what we genuinely love.
What’s surprised you the most about living in North Carolina?
The pollen. Every single year it surprises us and every single year it shouldn’t. Western NC unleashes a blazing yellow cloud every spring. We’ve traveled to many states and nothing compares to NC in pollen season.
What I wish more people knew about North Carolina:
We wish people truly understood NC cannabis culture. It’s not just aesthetics it’s a lifestyle and a deeply held belief system. This plant is a tool for us to simply live more intentionally. North Carolina cannabis consumers deserve to be understood on that level, and we’re proud every day to be part of the team helping make that happen.
Where is the best place to watch a sunset/sunrise or take a great photo?
South Mountain State Park is absolutely stunning at dawn and dusk. It is worth every minute of the hour drive from any of our three stores.
Closer to Denver, Beatty’s Ford Park Boat Launch and Rescue Squad Dog Park in Denver are incredible options with extra amenities to make a full day of it.
North Carolina has done such a remarkable job with its local parks and that keeps us rooted in Lake Norman.
If you had 36 hours to show someone the best of this town, what would you do?
Wake and bake then head straight to The Shuford YMCA to work up a sweat in the pool and sauna to get centered for the day.
From there, we’d go to The Hen & Egg in Newton food and drinks, then treat ourselves to a full pampering session at The Spa at Rock Barn.
Then, we’re heading to our all-time favorite restaurant, Mazatlan Mexican Family Restaurant in Denver, NC. After that, we’d relax lakeside at Ramsey Creek before making our way to Charlotte for a comedy show.
Then, dinner after the show at one of our top 2: Mama Ricotta’s or Vesuvio’s Italian Restaurant in Statesville.
Before calling it a night, Insomnia Cookies is non-negotiable when you’re out late in Charlotte.
Day two we’re sleeping in and grabbing breakfast to go from Beso Latte in Newton. We get a mani-pedi at N Spa in Denver to start the afternoon right before heading back to watch Charlotte Football Club win.
Fun fact: the owners of The Rec Dispensary are inaugural season ticket holders, and we are all big fans! We’ll wrap up the whole unforgettable trip at the CLT airport overlook, sending you off with full hearts and a very long list of reasons to come back.