Meriden could soon welcome its third legal cannabis retailer. Stamford-based Curaleaf Hartford, in partnership with Hamden’s CJC Enterprises, has filed plans to open a retail cannabis store at 443 South Broad Street, the former site of the Green Olive Diner.
The building, roughly 3,800 square feet and once a McDonald’s with a drive-through, would be refreshed for both medical and adult-use customers. While the drive-through won’t return, the location boasts nearly an acre of land and 49 parking spaces — more than enough for the short, 10-minute visits typical of dispensary customers.
Curaleaf’s proposal includes a detailed security plan: 24/7 video surveillance, intrusion alarms, secure product storage, background checks, and coordination with local law enforcement. The company would also follow city requirements, keeping the shop at least 500 feet from schools and playgrounds and 2,500 feet from other cannabis retailers.
City officials expect little opposition, noting that previous cannabis applications have moved forward smoothly. Supporters say the project would revitalize a long-vacant property and contribute to the ongoing growth of the South Broad Street corridor. If approved, Curaleaf would cement Meriden’s place in Connecticut’s expanding recreational cannabis market.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
