Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Bellanova recently opened at 331 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
The licensed cannabis dispensary has a noticeably different look and feel from some of the neighborhood's other shops. There are no guards at the entrance or mandatory checks before entering.
The narrow, brightly lit space features blond wood throughout, with a focus on higher-end products.
Below, Yasmine Bernard, shift lead...
Owner Matthew Hennessy (below) said the idea was to create something more relaxed.
"We want people to feel welcome," he said. "The space is warm, inviting and natural, true to the roots of nature."
Hennessy also has longtime neighborhood ties. He grew up on 10th Street and skateboarded at the Tompkins Square Park TF under the auspices of the late Harold Hunter. He still lives nearby.
Elizabeth McGrath of Corner Bistro is a co-owner of Bellanova.
And perhaps not surprisingly, given McGrath's well-known affection for dogs, the shop is canine-friendly.
"We love dogs," Hennessy said. "Bring all the dogs!"
Bellanova is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This spot sounds exactly like my absolute Fave Cannabis shop. The main difference seems to be that Mighty Lucky at 259 Bowery, 1/2 block from Whole Foods is much bigger.
ReplyDeleteAlso very dog friendly and you might see the owner,Beau with his little puppy.
They were and still are without any visible security.
They were also the first in the EV with outdoor seating .
The Art there is very cool and they will have some of my vintage black and white prints up soon