Boutique Hybrid Cannabis Dispensary Proposed In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — High times on High Ridge Road?

Stamford could soon be getting its third hybrid cannabis dispensary, according to documents recently filed with the city's land use bureau.

Sweetspot, which has medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries in Maine, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Maryland, is looking to expand to Connecticut and Stamford at 111 High Ridge Road, across the way from the new Saks Off 5th and future site of Whole Foods.

Applicant Sweetspot Stamford LLC is seeking a special permit approval from the city to operate a 2,412-square foot, boutique-style hybrid cannabis retailer — meaning products will be available to both qualified medical patients and adult-use consumers.

"Smaller than the currently approved cannabis dispensary operations elsewhere in Stamford and featuring an intimate, consumer-oriented operations model, Sweetspot Stamford will provide residents with a level of personal service not currently available elsewhere," a project summary says. "Sweetspot Stamford will also improve accessibility to consumers and, most important, medical patients who reside in central and northern portions of Stamford."

Fine Fettle, a hybrid dispensary in the Glenbrook section of Stamford, was one of the first dispensaries in the state to offer adult-use sales in early January. Curaleaf, which is located on East Main Street in Stamford, also started adult-use sales two months ago.

Sweetspot Stamford LLC is a joint venture between CT Plant Based Compassionate Care LLC and CT SE Holding Company.

In accordance with Connecticut State requirements, Stamford resident John O’Leary, as the disproportionately impacted area social equity applicant, holds a 65 percent ownership stake.

In documents filed with the city, Sweetspot touted its "boutique retail service."

According to their website, Sweetspot offers flower, pre-rolls, edibles, tinctures, vape cartridges and other cannabis products.

Customers can take an online quiz that automatically generates a personalized education brochure on identifying the right cannabis strains, products and terpene blends for use.

They can then visit the store and receive a personalized "starter kit," featuring six small doses of different varieties of cannabis curated by in-store guides.

Based on each customers' experience with their starter kit, in-store guides suggest customizable products for each customer's first full order.

"Sweetspot's collaborative and educational service model is specifically designed to address the needs and concerns of customers who are either new to or returning to cannabis use as well as those frustrated by the experiences they have had with other cannabis products or just looking to ensure they maximize their personal use experience," Sweetspot said in documents to the land use bureau.

Sweetspot also outlined its connections to Stamford, as nine key contributors to the company were born and raised in the city.

The structure at 111 High Ridge Road is a multi-tenant office and retail building with 31,300 total square feet of leasable commercial space. If ultimately approved, Sweetspot would be located on the ground floor.

The remainder of the building is occupied by 12 existing tenants: six medical offices, three salons, a liquor store, a learning center and office space.

The interior design of the proposed dispensary is described as "sophisticated," and will have a "comfortable, compassionate and efficient flow of patients and customers," bright lighting and shelving, similar to other Sweetspot locations.

Another building at 123 High Ridge Road is located on the same parcel of land, and the two structures share a large parking lot with driveways opening onto both High Ridge Road and Halpin Avenue.

A traffic impact and safety analysis by SLR Consulting generally found increased traffic can be accommodated by the surrounding roadway system, and that no traffic mitigation efforts are necessary.

A parking analysis also showed that there is more than enough parking to support all businesses on the property.

Documents state that virtually all of Stamford is within a 15-minute drive of 111 High Ridge Road, making it an ideal, central location between the Merritt Parkway and Interstate-95.

The area is also enhanced by CTtransit bus service and pedestrian access.

Sweetspot highlighted its "Good Neighbor Policy," in which the company commits to "meet or exceed" requirements for security, transparency, accountability and quality control.

"To best effect the Good Neighbor Policy, we establish strong relationships and open lines of communication with local law enforcement and emergency services. Sweetspot is also committed to being open and responsive to all concerns raised by public safety officials, local government, neighboring businesses, and the public," Sweetspot said in documents submitted to the land use bureau.

"Our commitment to maintaining positive community relationships extends to hiring and staffing policy; we strive to hire locally and provide customers and non-customer locals alike with information and educational opportunities to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all," they added.

Sweetspot did not immediately return requests for comment. It's unclear when the item will be scheduled for consideration.