LYNN ― Olde World Remedies, a recreational and medicinal marijuana dispensary, presented the City Council with a $50,000 gift for a playground renovation in Ward 6 at the council meeting on Tuesday night.
Ward 6 Councilor Frederick W. Hogan said that the money will be used to renovate the Marion Gardens playground. The city’s Community Development Department will simultaneously implement the project by resurfacing the adjacent baseball court. The donated $50,000 will be fully used on playground equipment and the Community Development Department will supplement the additional costs.
“The whole park will look pretty awesome,” said Hogan.
Olde World Remedies owners Joel Rothenberg and Sedrick Wali approached Hogan with a desire to do something for the city.
“They are a good business partner for the city of Lynn,” said Hogan, praising the well-organized facility with outstanding security. “They are treating the neighbors and the city with respect.”
Two business partners and Boston University graduates, Rothenberg, 24, and Wali, 23, opened Olde World Remedies dispensary on Western Avenue in Ward 6 in July 2021. Rothenberg grew up in Marblehead and his father always emphasised philanthropy and giving back to the community, he said. Rothenberg’s great-grandfather owned Rich’s Department Store in Lynn.
“We view Lynn as one of those communities that throughout the history of Boston have been swept under the rug; even though it has great people here and has great potential, it is sometimes forgotten,” said Rothenberg. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be put in Lynn because now we can help in any way that we can.”
Rothenberg and Wali are in the store every day, Rothenberg said, meeting with clients face to face.
“We are amazed with the amount of people that come in, with the diverse community in Lynn and how friendly everyone is,” said Rothenberg.
Rothenberg and Wali visited the Marion Gardens park with Hogan.
“It was really impactful to see how passionate Fred was about it,” said Rothenberg.
Lynn has eight dispensary licenses approved in total. Five marijuana dispensary businesses are already open and operating, Hogan said.
Another marijuana business presented its plans at the City Council meeting on Tuesday evening. The Recreational Cannabis Site Plan Review Committee heard from Attorney Jonathan W. Capano, who represents Tastebudz Delivery LLC.
The company is seeking to open a cannabis warehouse at 1103 Western Ave. which will deliver products to other businesses in the Greater Boston area and to clients. However, there won’t be any consumption or sale of cannabis on site.
Tastebudz Delivery is a project between lifetime Lynner and real estate advisor Jason Berroa and strategic investor and owner of APOTHCA recreational dispensary Joe Lekach.
The facility will be outfitted with strict security measures in compliance with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission requirements. It will have 40 cameras inside and outside, Capano said, minimal landscaping without bushes, limited entrances and schematic clearance levels among employees. Drivers will have body cameras. Small delivery vehicles will be unmarked and equipped with constant GPS locators and locked containers.
The Recreational Cannabis Site Plan Review Committee approved the business to continue its permit-application process. Next steps will include a public meeting with the whole City Council in December and the signing of a Host Community agreement with the mayor of Lynn. If permitted, the business will open by the end of 2022 or early 2023.
Alena Kuzub can be reached at [email protected].
