SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Planning Board has received plans for what could become the city’s first licensed cannabis dispensary.
A special use permit application has been filed for Reverie Dispensary, which would be located at 95 West Ave, occupying approximately 2,200 square feet in the West Hill Plaza.
According to the New York State Office of Cannabis Management’s website, the Capital Region currently has recreational dispensaries in Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer.
Reverie is set to be run by Jody Cracco, her daughter, Brittany Cracco, and Marcy Leventhal, who brings significant experience in the regulated cannabis industry.
The Cracco family also runs Dairy Haus and Doggy Playcare, two businesses located next door to each other on Maple Ave. Brittany Cracco said she has been long-time friends with Leventhal, and initially reached out to her for advice on infusing cannabis into ice cream.
“When I called Marcy to kind of poke at her vast wealth of knowledge, she told us about the application process and what the qualifications were,” Brittany Cracco said. “Between my mom, Marcy, and I, we qualified, and we went for it.”
Leventhal said she has 20 years of industry experience and has worked in 22 states, having operated a dispensary in the Bay Area of California, and also having worked as a consultant and for a cannabis advisory firm.
“So I’m very familiar with the licensing and application process, which we’re going through right now,” said Leventhal. “We’re really excited to curate a shop with my knowledge of the industry and their knowledge of Saratoga to make, hopefully, one of the premier shops in the state.”
Brittany Cracco said Reverie will look to highlight local farms and manufacturers, saying, “There are a lot of farms really close.”
“That’s what I would love to bring to the community, is the community’s product,” said Brittany Cracco. “That is going to be a really big part of it for me, is bringing in our local farmers and manufacturers.”
“To be able to sort of close the loop, so that we’ve got local people buying from local farmers at a local dispensary, is a really exciting prospect to us,” added Leventhal, who noted that Reverie will also carry additional outside brands that “appeal to the masses.”
The application describes the location as a “conditional adult use retail dispensary,” and states that it has been approved by the New York Office of Cannabis Management, but must receive special use designation from the City. The Saratoga Springs Planning Board is set to discuss the application at its meeting on Aug. 3, according to a posted agenda.
The group said they are aiming to open by the end of August if their application is approved.
“Obviously, being compliant and following their processes is really important to us,” said Leventhal. “... Not rushing it just to get open, but rather, getting open in a responsible way is important. But with that said, we’d love to capture some of the seasonal travelers in Saratoga. We’re going to hustle as hard as we possibly can to get open by the end of August, provided we get the approval at the Planning Board on August 3.”
Jody Cracco emphasized the importance of supporting local, and said she hopes Reverie will feel “comfortable” to its customers.
“We want them to come in and feel so comfortable in our place,” said Jody Cracco. “We want it to be a great experience.”
“Walking into a dispensary, it can be overwhelming,” said Brittney Cracco. “You don’t really know the product, and you may want to ask questions, but you may feel like it’s not your place to ask questions, or a little silly. We don’t want that. We want it to be a comfortable environment, and we want people to know the same people that are serving you your ice cream cones are the same people that are serving you over at the dispensary.”
Jody Cracco said the three partners are “really excited.”
“It’s been great,” said Jody Cracco. “And to be the first to open, we are so honored to be able to, hopefully, say that.”
“I’m really excited at what we’re going to be able to do,” added Leventhal, citing her background in the cannabis industry and the Cracco family’s background in operating businesses. “I would encourage everyone in the state to come check us out when we open.”
