Gotham Cannabis Concept Store Opens in New York
Gotham, a cannabis concept store, entered the market on May 11 with the opening of its flagship in New York. Located in the Lower Manhattan neighborhood and street known as the Bowery, the two-story retail and gallery space, which spans 2,800 square feet, was designed by Brooklyn-based designer Jennifer di Leonardi and her firm Cinema Vitae.
The store sells flower, edibles, vaporizers, pre-rolls and tinctures, and it features Gotham-branded products, premium cannabis brands, fashion and lifestyle brands. Additionally, it showcases art exhibitions in a modern environment.
To offer a luxury cannabis shopping experience, Gotham formed partnerships with “high end” New York-based brands including Edie Parker, Flowerhouse, House of Puff and Rose New York X David Zilber of Noma, according to a media release. The cannabis store also debuted Gotham Goods, its namesake line of CBD products and accessories.
"We wanted to create a space that was a first of its kind, uniquely downtown and differentiated from the local head shop,” said Gotham chief creative officer Billy Richards, who is also a hospitality veteran and former director of NYC's popular Boom Boom Room and Rose Bar. “Gotham is a true concept store where visitors can discover something new, browse high end brands and enjoy incredible art through a distinctive NYC lens. And, of course, we also sell cannabis.”
The “open concept” space features an exhibition space that will display seasonally rotating shows featuring New York artists, per the release. For its inaugural show, Gotham will partner with Bright Moments, a digital art gallery company, to present an NFT showcase. The store will also feature a permanent installation by NYC-based multimedia artist Molly Lowe.
Additionally, product experts are always available to help customers choose goods tailored to their personal needs and interests. In-person shopping is available now, and the company says delivery is coming soon.
Joanne Wilson, an entrepreneur who has made early investments in popular emerging brands like Food52, Parachute and Sweet Loren's, is the founder of Gotham's concept and calls it “the next wave of cannabis retail,” per the release.
"Gotham is a reflection of New York's rich history and influence,” Wilson said in the release. “We're proud to be one of the pioneers reimagining what the legalized cannabis market can become in the state. As part of that growth, we have an unwavering commitment to social justice which is why Strive was the perfect partner for us for our flagship store."
Strive is a national training and career development nonprofit agency based in New York’s East Harlem neighborhood that works to provide a career pathway for those who face societal barriers, including those impacted by the justice system. Gotham partnered with the nonprofit in an effort to hire people formerly incarcerated for cannabis. As a beneficiary the nonprofit will receive a portion of proceeds to fund their programs.
"Strive New York is proud to be a beneficiary of Gotham as part of our continued work serving the Black and Brown communities that have been disproportionately harmed by systemically oppressive cannabis laws," Ayesha George, executive director Strive New York. "Gotham's vision will fuel positive social change and create access for people to build economic mobility and empowerment from what once brought them barriers."