High-Falutin Times: NYC's First 'Luxury' Weed Shop Opens

NEW YORK CITY — A soon-to-open New York City shop and gallery is putting a twist on "high"-end.

Gotham promises to be the city's first "luxury" legal pot shop when it opens Thursday in the Bowery, according to a release.

The "legalized cannabis and cultural concept store" at 3 E. Third St., near Bowery, will offer premium fashion and lifestyle brands and art exhibitions, in addition to marijuana flower, edibles, pre-rolls and tinctures, the release states.

"We wanted to create a space that was a first of its kind, uniquely downtown and differentiated from the local head shop," said Billy Richards, the store's chief creative officer, in a statement.

The store will be the sixth legal recreational cannabis shop to open in New York City, according to the state's Office of Cannabis Management.

Legal weed in the city — and the Empire State as a whole — has gotten off to a slow, arguably rocky start.

After marijuana became legalized in 2021, a galaxy of "gray market" pot shops of at-best questionable legality exploded across New York City. Meanwhile, state officials slowly drew up rules and licenses for legal pot shops that are now opening within an effectively flooded market.

Gotham's tack appears to be trying to appeal to a luxury clientele who wouldn't be caught dead in a bodega.

The store is a 2,800-square-foot open concept venue designed by Cinema Vitae with an exhibition space for seasoning rotating shows of New York artists, according to a release. It'll sell its own Gotham-branded cannabis products and other "best-in-class" brands, the release states.

Gotham will be open for in-person shopping and in-store pickup seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery is coming soon, as well, according to a release.