Matawan's 2nd Marijuana Dispensary Plans Mid-September Opening

MATAWAN, NJ — What will be Matawan's second cannabis dispensary just announced they are planning to open in mid-September.

It's called Vigor Dispensary (https://vigordispensary.com/) and they are opening at 1082 Rt. 34 in Matawan.

Vigor is owned by husband-wife team Alan and Susan Ao. Both are lifelong New Jersey natives (they live nearby in Morganville) and Alan Ao is a licensed pharmacist. Other partners in Vigor are Nick and Sara Ambrosino, who live in Aberdeen.

Alan Ao is also currently vice president of the Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce.

"We are a pharmacist-led facility that will be focused on the cross-section of health, community and cannabis," said Alan Ao this week.

He said customers can expect elevated and personal customer service from Vigor.

"From the time you set foot in our dispensary, we’re here to cultivate and nourish your personal relationship with this plant. What many see as simply a commodity, we view as an opportunity to enhance daily experiences — but it begins with mastering the product in front of you," said Ao.

Canna Bar was the first licensed marijuana dispensary to open in Matawan, at 58 Main Street, and they just opened in April.

The opening of Canna Bar was followed by Scarlet Reserve, a CBD/smoke shop (not a licensed dispensary) also on Rt. 34 (782 Rt. 34) and within walking distance from Vigor.

Nearby, there's Premo Cannabis, which opened last year on Front Street in Keyport. Premo is owned by two Keyport locals, Donald "Donny" Blanks and his son, Skye Blanks. Donny Blanks is also the owner of Keyport's Real Gymm, the old-school style gym where he is also an athletic trainer.

There's also Monteverde pot dispensary in Red Bank.

More pot shops are coming: A second pot dispensary is supposed to be built in Red Bank, at the foot of the Rt. 35 bridge over the Navesink River from Middletown, right across the street from Strollo’s Lighthouse Italian Ice. Read that story: Red Bank Approves Pot Shop, Just Over Rt. 35 Bridge From Middletown

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the music school has closed. They have relocated to Rt. 520, Newman Springs Road in Holmdel and remain open. Also, there are only two state-licensed cannabis dispensaries in Matawan: Canna Bar and Vigor. Scarlet Reserve is a CBD/smoke shop.