Bayshore Gets Its First Marijuana Shop: Premo Opening Soon In Keyport

KEYPORT, NJ — It is well known that there are no marijuana dispensaries — medical or otherwise — in the Bayshore region or northern Monmouth County.

The nearest pot dispensary is Monteverde in Red Bank, which was just approved for recreational sales last month; followed by Garden State Dispensary (owned by AyrWellness) on Rt. 35 in Eatontown, which also sells both recreational and medical marijuana.

But that is all about to change, as a brand-new cannabis dispensary is about to open in Keyport.

The store will be called Premo Cannabis Company and they will be located at 2 East Front Street in Keyport. Their website is www.Premocannabis.co

Premo is not open yet, but the dispensary says they intend to be open by the end of April/beginning of May. Premo is only licensed to serve recreational customers.

However, more pot shops are coming to this area: In December, the Red Bank Planning Board gave preliminary approval to allow a retail marijuana shop to be built at the foot of the Rt. 35 bridge over the Navesink River from Middletown. The shop will be located at 199 Riverside Avenue, 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

Premo is founded and owned by two local Keyport residents, Donald "Donny" Blanks and his son, Skye Blanks.

Donald is a 20-year resident of Keyport; he's also the owner of Keyport's Real Gymm, the old-school style gym where he is also an athletic trainer.

Several local Keyport residents, including Councilman Dennis Fotopoulos, praised Blanks and his son.

"I can think of few who are as suited to introduce a cannabis retail business into our borough," said Fotopoulos. "Mr. Blanks’ positive example on the youth and others in Keyport is inarguable. I am confident that he will continue and even expand his efforts to enrich the lives of our young people and all the citizens of our borough if given this new opportunity.”

“Donny has been an upstanding member of our community for many years. I have seen many examples of his character and talents and have long been impressed by his diligence and work ethic," said Larry Vecchio, president of the Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative. "Donny has been both admired and respected by our community. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to rise to any challenge that he might face. There would not be a better person to operate this business in our town.”

Blanks is the shop's CEO and his son Skye is vice president. Skye currently works as a senior project manager for the International Council for Small Business and as the director of the Knowledge Hubs project. Premo's chief operating officer is Darrin Chandler, Jr. Chandler was recognized by Gov. Phil Murphy in his State of the Union address last year for his work in the cannabis industry, particularly as a minority (Chandler, Donald and Skye are all African-American.)

Said Premo in a statement:

"Our experienced and knowledgeable staff will serve newcomers and frequent consumers alike. We pride ourselves on being able to provide a wide range of safe, high-quality cannabis products in a secure environment."

Recreational Cannabis Sales Begin At Monteverde NJ In Red Bank (Feb. 2024)