I’ve been obsessed with New York City my whole life. I first visited in 2005 and I’ll never forget how thrilling it was using the subway to navigate Downtown, across the East River, and Uptown again. Every adventure into NYC has since involved burning blunts in Washington Square Park, eating edibles on the Fung Wah bus down from college in Boston, or packing bowls outside of raves in Brooklyn. There aren’t many things that are more nostalgic for New Yorkers than the MTA and cannabis.
The first licensed cannabis product I purchased was inside of a life-sized subway car at NYCBUD in LIC. I got my ID checked through a subway station booth window, and my name was listed on the screen above the register as if I was the next stop on the train. And best of all, there was old school House music pumping through the shop’s sound system, played by a live DJ mixing vinyl. What a perfect NYC cannabis retail experience. I spoke with Co-Founder Jonpaul Pezzo to learn more about the shop.
Photo courtesy of NYCBUD“The Streets and The Underground of NYC” is central to your story – how did your personal journeys in NYC lead you to opening NYCBUD in Long Island City?
All of us have deep-rooted Queens backgrounds. My partner, Giancarlo Pinto, and I have lots of connections and friends in the graffiti community and of course the music community, both that go hand in hand with cannabis. We worked on infusing it all together into one big interactive experience.
What experiences shaped your vision of what a modern cannabis dispensary should be?
We knew what we did not want—that was clear. We did not want to be like all the rest and we did not want what everyone calls “the Apple” experience. It just seems like corporate cannabis and it’s not us. We are fun; that shit looks boring. To each his own.
Photo by Rachel PortCommunity & Culture:
Long Island City has such a unique vibe, blending industrial heritage with modern arts and culture. How does NYCBUD reflect and contribute to this neighborhood’s character?
We took an otherwise dead corner of LIC and bridged the neighborhood gap to get people to come walk a little bit past the last stores and check us out. As soon as we opened, we worked to give the neighborhood a little bit more than just a cannabis shop. We started a comedy night, a “Buds and Brushes” painting class night, and we have live in-store music on weekends featuring big international DJ’s. Out the gate, we contributed as much as we could by connecting with the local arts, culture, and community because it all goes hand in hand.
Photo by Rachel PortInnovation & Experience:
Your mission mentions creating “spaces that transcend basic transactions.” Can you walk us through what makes the NYCBUD customer experience different?
There is a lot more to focus on when at the store other than cannabis. With all the time we had waiting for a license to open the shop, we focused on attention to detail. Each time you visit you will notice something new. We also sell artwork from local artists, giving you an art gallery experience while you shop. We have a touch screen graffiti wall to play with, and we even have an old arcade game to entertain you while shopping. It’s hard to put into words because it’s really more than a dispensary and you’ve got to see it to really feel the vibe.
You emphasize education alongside innovation – what unique educational initiatives are you implementing for both your staff and customers?
We are always training and educating the staff on new rules and regulations and on the art of sales and customer service. We post content on our website and on social media to educate people on the many ways they can safely consume cannabis.
A lot of people were timid and shy when it was illegal and they do not know about the many new products and ways to consume; whether it’s pills, powder, gummies or flower. We partner with the farms to do in-store pop-ups so they can educate customers and staff on their products. We want to make sure everyone is getting the most out of their purchase and leave educated and confident in their purchase.
Photo by Rachel PortProduct & Expertise:
With your commitment to finding “the best buds our city has to offer,” what’s your process for selecting products and cultivators?
Well, we try not to carry every single brand and we are working with a lot of solid farms to establish long-lasting relationships and ones that can service our customers with a steady supply chain, and have a lot of variety. Of course we want the best of the best, so I personally quality test all of the flower that comes through those doors.
Which products or experiences have particularly resonated with your local community?
Ayrloom drinks have been a smash hit. We move cases of them a week. People love to drink their cannabis, apparently.
Photo and Display Design by Rachel PortFuture Vision:
As the NYC cannabis market evolves, how do you see NYCBUD‘s role in shaping cannabis culture in the city?
We want to make sure we create an experience for everyone in NYC as well as everyone visiting NYC. There are a bunch of states and countries that are not cannabis-friendly and if those residents end up in NYC, we want to make sure to give them an experience like they have never seen. And to our local residents and ‘buddies’ as we like to call them, we want to make sure the store is giving back to them by offering the events we produce in the shop and at venues outside of it.
Photo courtesy of NYCBUDWhat can you tell us about any new locations opening for NYCBUD and any other upcoming 2025 plans?
We are currently working on two new locations—one in Manhattan and one in New Rochelle—both opening in the next few weeks. They will be other themed experiences. We can’t wait to show them to everyone.
What excites you most about the future of cannabis culture in NYC?
It excites me to finally see this medicine legalized in NYC in my lifetime and to be a part of it from the ground floor. We are in the infantile stages of this and the sky is the limit. I look forward to where this journey will take us in the years to come.
