BAKER, Minn. (Valley News Live) – Transformation could be coming to an old grain elevator in rural Baker, Minnesota after the county approved an ordinance to possibly turn it into a cannabis dispensary.

In 2017, architect, Scott Dahms, purchased an abandoned grain elevator in Baker, an unincorporated community nestled between Sabin and Barnesville.

He purchased the elevator for $15,000 dollars – a steal of a deal for this towering structure.

“The elevator was on Craigslist… I think the guy wanted $80,000 dollars,” Dahms said.

Thousands of dollars later, the structure was converted into a liveable space. Dahms lived inside the elevator for a while, before more plans arose.

Today, the elevator is listed as an Airbnb. It sleeps over 20 people, and features something new in every corner.

Dahm’s newest plans include turning part of the elevator into a cannabis dispensary and growing facility. He plans to offer low-dosage cannabis products, as well as constructing a cannabis growing operation.

“We can create a whole new industry in a way to save these elevators. Nobody is building another one, they’re just kind of burning down. They’re just such iconic structures,” the elevator owner explained.

He said he received prelimiary approval from the state of Minnesota back in July, but needed approval from the county to move forward.

A current Clay County cannabis zoning ordinance only allows businesses like these in highway commerical districts. Dahms put in a request to tweak these zoning laws for his agricultural service zone.

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, that request was approved by Clay County commissioners, allowing Dahms to be one step closer to giving new life to this unincorporated area.

“Once the interstate system came through, it started killing a lot of these towns because no one went through them anymore. We’re hoping to bring some of that back,” he said.

With hope in mind and opportunities to come, Dahms said opening the dispensary will bring several jobs to Baker. He added that portions of the dispensary’s profits can also be donated back into the small community.

“We can make Baker a little bit better. It’s got a pretty deep history around here,” the architect said.

These current dispensary plans are tentative, and he still needs to obtain a city variance permitting more land in order for the Baker business to move to the next step.

He’s also working on a dispensary in Pelican Rapids, a similar project currently jumping through city hoops. He said there’s a possibility of opening both businesses, or keeping whichever one moves quicker.

In terms of when these dispensaries will open their doors, a rough timeline suggests an opening date of April 20, 2025.

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