First Black Owned Dispensary Opens In Northern New Jersey

This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

The 1st 100% Black-owned and operated, family-run cannabis dispensary in Northern NJ, and the 2nd Black Dispensary to open and operate in the state of NJ is now open in Maplewood! Noiré Dispensary will celebrate its Recreational Adult-use Cannabis retail store on Saturday, October 28th from 12 pm-6 pm. Enjoy the outdoor Block Party where everyone is welcome to come eat, listen to the DJ’s spin, sign up for giveaways, and receive product discounts. But wait, there’s more - games, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, and temporary tattoos will also be provided. Noiré invites the community to join them in the ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place from 1 pm-3 pm.

Noiré Dispensary’s owners Giovanni and Sharquana Paul bring substantial experience and knowledge to the adult-use cannabis industry in New Jersey. Equipped with nearly 5 years of high-quality CBD retail store ownership and operational experience, this husband/wife team understands the importance of prioritizing customer satisfaction, offering safe and innovative products, providing ongoing education, and giving back to the local Maplewood Township. The Pauls currently own and operate Zebulon 51 in Denville, New Jersey as well. This extensive experience prepares them to continue to aid the residents of Maplewood Township — Noiré received their Class 5 Cannabis Retail License in August 2023 and they are ready to make a splash about their blooming business. Giovanni and Sharquana are a self-made, self-funded power couple taking the cannabis industry by storm with their unique take on the marijuana purchasing experience.

Giovanni, “the man behind the scenes” is a seasoned and highly experienced entrepreneur who has successfully birthed multiple businesses with his wife over the years. Sharquana came to Maplewood after working in social services for nonprofits. With a selfless, empathetic spirit, Sharquana worked closely with victims of the at-risk population such as domestic violence, sexual assault, homeless prevention, and welfare reform. With a passionate calling to bring relief to others looking for an alternative, Sharquana and her husband Giovanni have truly built the American dream.

“This business is a Labor of Love to us”, says Sharquana Paul. 5 years ago while pregnant with their 5th child, the Pauls decided to grab the opportunity to slide into the cannabis industry. During labor, between Sharquana’s contractions, Giovanni and Sharquana were rushing to finalize their business plan, and even come up with their brand name.

Giovanni, a first generation Haitian-American, and Sharquana, an African-American, were both Brooklyn, NY natives that saw first hand how cannabis provides relief. Both owners experienced their family members consuming the flower to help with their medical and physical issues, anything ranging from glaucoma to lung cancer to mood swing symptoms. Before marijuana was legalized, a Brooklyn local would have to seek and find the secret “Black Door”. The black door would belong to a street dealer, and many would put themselves in dangerous positions to obtain the plant for its natural benefits. “That’s where the inspiration for our brand name came from,” says Sharquana. We named our dispensary Noiré, which means “Black”. We decided to take the old concept of “knocking on the black door”, and turn it into a symbol of safety, trained knowledge, and no judgments. This philosophy is reflected in our Wellness Associates, who welcome all customers with a friendly-neighborhood smile and gratitude for the opportunity not to sell you something, but to give you something - At Noiré, we believe in empowering our customers through knowledge. From the intricate workings of the endocannabinoid system to understanding safe consumer use, we will help you find the best products for your individual needs. Noiré provides a custom experience for each person, whether you're a seasoned cannabis connoisseur or a curious newcomer, these resources can deepen your understanding and appreciation of cannabis, helping you make informed choices and fully enjoy your Noiré experience.

When you walk into the store, conveniently located within the shopping district of Maplewood, NJ, you will find an array of premium cannabis buds and many other cannabis products such as extracts, edibles, vapes, pre-rolls, topicals, and accessories. Not only will customers find a variety of products, but they will also find top brands such as Verano, Cookies, Ascend, Ms. Grass, ButACake, Wana edibles, and so many more. Before leaving the dispensary, don’t forget to grab a free Noiré Dispensary printed magazine which is filled with cannabis education, the who’s who in the cannabis industry, infused recipes, tips and tricks, new products, and a special highlight on people of color and their innovative journeys within their industries.

The journey getting here has been a long one, but well worth it. The owners of Noiré have made it a top priority to pay it forward in mentorships, community support, and volunteering, as well as being members of groups such as NJCTA (New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association), the North New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, NAACP of South Orange and Maplewood, and NJCBA (New Jersey Canna Business Association). Community is what it’s all about for the Pauls. All-in-all, their mission is to be the #1 premium cannabis solution in the region and enlighten the Maplewood community and others like them. “No matter how many no’s you get, keep knocking until you get your yes. We are standing here as living proof that you can do it. Leverage your resources whether big or small, surround yourself with like-minded positive people, and don’t be afraid to fail”, says the Pauls. Thank you in advance for setting aside time to celebrate this day with us!”

For more info visit: Noiredispensary.com

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.