SUV slams into Hamilton magic mushroom shop and gas station, driver flees

An SUV crashed into a magic mushroom shop in Hamilton Thursday morning, then apparently collided into a gas station across the street.

Hamilton police say that Shroomyz Magic Mushroom Dispensary on Main Street East near Kenilworth Avenue was smashed into around 3:30 a.m.

Police believe the vehicle then hit the Esso gas station and say that there is significant damage to the mushroom shop which is currently being checked for structural safety.

“There was a collision involving a black Honda Civic, it struck a building — a residential building, with a commercial aspect to it — and from there proceeding to strike a gas station on the other side of the road,” said Const. Trevor McKenna with Hamilton police. “The driver fled the scene on foot and we’re appealing to witnesses in the area who may have seen something.”

Thankfully, no one was hurt and police were able to tow the vehicle away, but signs of damage were on full display at the business.

The store’s glass windows were completely smashed, and glass covered the sidewalk.

No arrests have been reported.

This is not the first time that the magic mushroom shop has been vandalized. On June 9 there was an early morning explosion at Shroomyz that caused $80,000 in damages.

Andy Hathaway, a professor of sociology at the University of Guelph, said magic mushroom dispensaries face different legal struggles in response to these crimes.

“They don’t have the same recourse under law as an illicit provider,” said Hathaway, “that would be one of the reasons, presumably, why they are targeted, and not in a position to come forward, potentially in order to seek recourse for the intrusion on their business, and the disruption in their trade.”

Residents that live close to Shroomyz say that particular store has been operating for a while.

“We’re thinking about our own safety,” said David Karnes, a neighbour of the shop. “We got a huge kitchen window, how much is that gonna cost if it gets smashed?”

“Mushrooms isn’t a top priority in terms of policing, so that could go some way in explaining why a number of those operators have gone so long without impunity,” said Hathaway.

READ MORE: Small explosion at magic mushroom shop in Hamilton’s East End, 80K in damages