Second Cannabis Dispensary Gets Green Light From Enfield PZC

ENFIELD, CT — A commercial building which contained a bank for nearly three decades and most recently housed a sandwich shop and coffeehouse has been approved by Enfield officials to become the site of the town's second cannabis dispensary.

Following a public hearing Thursday, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve an application from Glastonbury-based Hydra East LLC to open a dispensary for medical and recreational marijuana at 9 Hazard Ave. The 3,024 square-foot building, situated on just under an acre, is owned by three limited liability companies - Enfield Square Realty, Enfield CH and Enfield Nassim - which own the Enfield Square shopping center. The approved site is on the southern edge of the mall property.

Constructed in 1971, the building was home to New England Bank & Trust for many years. After a period of vacancy, it became home to a Starbucks coffeehouse and a Quiznos sandwich shop, later replaced by a Subway franchise. Subway closed in 2020, and Starbucks relocated to a new building just down the street the following year.

Kevin Heffernan, representing Stonefield Engineering and Design, outlined plans to rejuvenate the property, including upgraded landscaping and removal of graffiti. The commission voted 5-0 to approve the application, setting forth about two dozen conditions.

PZC approval marks the second dispensary okayed by that panel since spring. In May, the go-ahead was given for a site in a 6,200 square-foot building on Elm Street, on the northern edge of the property, which had been home to the Outback Steakhouse for 20 years. The two approved sites are located just a half-mile apart.