MIDDLETOWN — The city’s first retail cannabis business is set to open within the next couple of weeks, when Westport-based Bluepoint Wellness begins adult-use recreational sales on Route 66.
The Venu Flower Collective, located at the former Bank of America property at 895 Washington St., will be 1,840 square feet and was approved by the Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission in September 2021.
Nick Tamborrino, co-founder and CEO of Bluepoint Wellness, has some eight years of experience in the field. He’s now in the process of training staff for the opening and readying for the final state inspection.
Route 66 is a very “solid” location for a dispensary, he said. “Enough eyes will see it as they’re driving both ways. We’re looking forward to it,” Tamborrino said.
As for long wait times experienced by some other newly opened retail cannabis stores, “we expect a very efficient process, encouraging online ordering, and (with) enough registers going,” he said.
“I’m extremely excited,” he added. “I applaud the town for their encouragement and support being here. It’s going to bring in great tax revenue for the city. It’s been a long process in the making, but we’re finally here.”
The interior of the building will have an “urban art street vibe,” Tamborrino has said. “It’s going to be an experience,” rather than a “sterile pharmacy-like environment.”
“It’s going to be a hip, upbeat, positive vibe; good energy, where people come to feel comfortable … and gather with common interests,” he said.
As for more details about Venu, Tamborrino said Monday, “let it be a surprise.”
Bluepoint Wellness has facilities at 1460 Post Road East in Westport (medical only) and Rise Branford at 471 E. Main St. (adult-use and medical sales).
The state has four marijuana producers: Theraplant, Advanced Grow Labs, CT Pharma and Curaleaf.
Connecticut became the 19th state to legalize adult-use cannabis in June 2021. Recreational sales began Jan. 10 to those 21 and older.
Combined sales for adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana totaled nearly $23 million between May 1 to 31, according to the most recent Department of Consumer Protection data.
The adult-use market recorded $11.5 million in sales during the month of May, while the medical marijuana market reached $11.2 million in sales in the same period, the DCP reported.
In May, medical marijuana patients purchased 312,758 products, and adult-use consumers bought 292,054 products. The average price of adult-use products was $39.47, the data says.
When it comes to choosing and staying with a cannabis facility, Tamborrino has found that customers choose locations close to home, and frequent those with longer hours of operation.
Delivery services will be available in the future, he said, and Bluepoint Wellness also offers a VIP awards program in which members can earn a point for every dollar spent, as well as receive advance notice of product arrivals and special deals.
