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Date: 4/5/2022
SPRINGFIELD – A marijuana delivery service and a dispensary owned by former NBA player Travis Best received special permit approvals from the City Council during their March 28 meeting.
Tree N’ Brick
Both items shared their initial presentations with the council during their March 21 meeting. Tree N’Brick owner Fred Shubrick showcased his request for a special permit that would allow for a marijuana delivery service. “We’re going to be serving the greater Springfield area and Western Mass.,” said Shubrick, who described his business model as in the image of Amazon’s delivery services.
Shubrick explained that the business would operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Each delivery from the Tree N’Brick will be sourced from the businesses’ operation center at 1860 Main St., which combines wholesale product purchased from other dispensaries. The Tree N’Brick owner envisions hiring at least eight employees for his operation. Four of the employees will man the delivery services two trucks, while the other four staff work to fulfill orders, according to Shubrick.
Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila supported the business idea, but expressed interest in the service’s safety procedures. “I am intrigued by the concept, but I do have some questions in regard to safety,” said Davila.
Shubrick assured Davila that safety is stressed within the operation, as each van and delivery driver will be equipped with cameras. “All vans are going to be outfitted with security cameras. This is all regulated, and everyone is going to be fitted with body cameras,” said Shubrick. The business owner explained that the cameras will be operational during the entire delivery process, while the delivery vehicles will also be tracked by the business.
The City Council ultimately approved Tree’N Brick’s special permit request in a unanimous vote.
Cookies
Best, Co-Franchisee Owner Brittany Washum, Business Consultant Ryan McCollum and Legal Representation Margaret Nash presented a special permit request for a dispensary located at 587-595 Main St. named “Cookies.” Nash described the business as a part of a nationwide franchise started in 2015. Originally created in a San Francisco garage, founders Gilbert Milam and Jai Chang grew the operation with more than 30 cannabis licenses across seven different states.
“Despite humble beginnings, [Cookies] has grown to have a national footprint…It’s also home to the number one selling cannabis products in the nation,” said Nash, who explained that the franchise offers critical support to the developing Springfield location.
McCollum stressed that Cookies places extra importance on their commitment to the community. He shared that the dispensary will implement a Neighborhood Advisory Council, create new programs alongside the South End Community Center and construct an indoor mural program for local artists to contribute toward.
McCollum also revealed the Cookies space will include a social equity impact center that will provide different services to the community.
“We are going to do things like have pro bono lawyers help folks with their quarries and have those expunged, do some entrepreneurial programs – both with the Association of Black Businesses and Professionals and the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce – and also have that space there for the community to use,” said McCollum.
Input from local residents and citizen councils helped inform the creation of the dispensary’s layout, according to Nash. The business is also expected to hire 35 to 45 employees.
City Council At-Large Tracye Whitfield expressed support for Cookies and their presentation. “I think that’s the best proposal that I have heard…I am confident you will be giving back to the community” said Whitfield, who advocated for the businesses’ focus on social equity and hiring locally. Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan also said the South End is “very blessed” to include the dispensary.
The City Council ultimately approved Cookies’ special permit request in a unanimous vote.