Framingham's New Marijuana License Applicant Is City Resident

FRAMINGHAM, MA- Andromeda Supply Company LLC is Framingham's latest applicant for a retail marijuana license. The company admits it got off to a shaky start with its application process, but hopes its brand as a locally owned business will help push things forward. The company's CEO, Stacey Grillo, has lived in Framingham for over 30 years.

At the company's first community outreach meeting Thursday night, representatives explained that the late start in the application process was due, in part, to its efforts securing a location, which will be 1656 Worcester Road.

"Our meeting with the MAT (Marijuana Advisory Team) could have gone better- we rushed our application," said Joseph Antonelli, a representative from Andromeda. During its initial interview with the MAT, parts of the application were missing, including a designated bank. The company assured residents that it has since signed on a bank and completed the application. The MAT's website still does not show Andromeda Supply LLC on their list of completed 2019 applications.

The proposed location is on the western end of the city on Route 9. The building houses an Indian restaurant, and the only neighboring businesses are a Dunkin Donuts, a Motel 6 and an auto repair shop. The company says the fact that the location is farther from many other proposed retail shops is a benefit, mitigating traffic in the area.

One resident at Thursday night's meeting asked about the number of parking spaces to be available at the shop, but without blueprints from the company's engineers, Andromeda was not able to give a definite number. The company said it hopes to have 40 to 50 spots available with hours of operation 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Andromeda told residents it hopes to hire most of its staff locally, but could not give a definite percentage. Grillo said that as a resident of the community she wants the company to have a vested interest in Framingham, from the employees they hire to the customers they serve. "I care about what's going on in my back yard," Grillo said.

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