By Gus Saltonstall
The Upper West Side is getting its first legal cannabis shop three years after marijuana was legalized in New York.
Flower Power Dispensers will open during the last week of March or first week of April at 22 West 66th Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.
The marijuana shop will be run by Angelo Kitkas – a native of Astoria, Queens, a longtime cannabis connoisseur who works professionally as an electrician, and who spent seven months in prison for marijuana-related offenses in 2004.
Kitkas applied to the state for a conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary license in 2022. The license gave New Yorkers who personally were convicted under prior cannabis laws or had a loved-one that was and owned their own profitable businesses, the first chance at being able to sell marijuana legally.
“It feels incredible,” Kitkas told West Side Rag when asked about his journey to open a legal pot shop. “I’ve been talking about this since the 1990s, saying that ‘once it becomes legal, we’re going to open up a shop,’ and I’m happy to get the opportunity and show my expertise on what I know about the product.”
The store will offer top-quality weed and gummies, sell only to people over the age of 21 with valid IDs, and be staffed with budtenders who can offer their expertise. There will also be a delivery service, more than a dozen cameras in and around the store, and about 20 employees that management will look to hire from the Upper West Side community.
The business has already received 1,000 resumes of people looking for jobs.
When asked about those locals that might be nervous about a cannabis shop opening in the neighborhood, Kitkas answered, “We would like to welcome them and show them what we’re about. We’re not an illegal shop. We won’t be serving anybody under 21. We are licensed, and we’re looking to make sure that this is also safe for the neighborhood and the customers.”
Flower Power will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Friday to Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
There are already 80 legal cannabis dispensaries in New York state, but this will be the first to open on the Upper West Side, according to a list from the Office of Cannabis Management.
Kitkas emphasized that he could not be more excited about running a business on the Upper West Side.
“I took a walk into the location on day one and fell in love with it,” he said. “The neighborhood is awesome — we’re located between Central Park and Lincoln Center — I just love the location.”
“We can grow as well with the community, we’re in a high-end building that is amazing,” added Kitkas, who has spent substantial time in the neighborhood for his work as an electrician. “We’re looking to give the Upper West Side an experience they haven’t seen before and we want to make sure we educate the cannabis-curious and support the cannabis-connoisseurs.”
A spokesperson for Flower Power told the Rag that it “wants to engage with the community, not just have them shop here,” and to that end is in the process of reaching out to unspecified local organizations about their incoming business.
The store will not be placing cannabis advertising on the sidewalk in an effort to not affect the streetscape, and will place its state-given license in the vestibule of its business to let shoppers know they are buying legal weed.
Flower Power will also be reaching out to Upper West Side universities to find students over 21 to paint a mural within the store.
“The Flower Power name speaks to our founder’s career passions – sourcing top quality weed and running his family’s electrical company,” the spokesperson for the incoming dispensary said about Kitkas. “This store is the manifestation of many years of hard work and sacrifice and is his dream.”
You can find out more about Flower Power on its website — HERE.
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Sorry I don’t see this as positive news. It may be that I am just too old but the smell of marijuana and watching workers smoking pot during working hours doesn’t make me feel very happy. I hope this new shop owner succeeds but I am just not a big fan.
Luckily, no one is forcing you to smoke pot.
He’s not saying that….what he is saying is that many who don’t smoke it still have to smell it. See the difference?
Except those who smoke outside on the sidewalk or people smoking elsewhere in public where you can’t avoid them.
Except the people who openly smoke in public where you have to walk past them or can’t avoid them, and have to inhale the second-hand smoke .
Welcome to the world of 2nd hand smoke. At least THIS 2nd hand smoke won’t kill you.
These stores are a blight on the neighborhood, and I would happily take empty storefronts instead of the illegal smoke shops. Like most things, NYC completely messed this up when they rolled (no pun) it out. Hopefully having a legally run dispensary will discourage more illegal ones in the neighborhood. Though I understand they cater to a very different clientele.
Call a realtor
Wouldn’t this be next door to the new 50 West 66th St Tower which will house Congregation Habonim on the lower floors? Aren’t cannabis dispensaries excluded from 200 ft of a house of worship?
I guess it isn’t there now since it is under construction (and has been for the past 5 years or so) but what will be enforced once it does open
That building doesn’t exclusively contain a House of Worship so the 200 foot does not apply.
Until 50 W 66th St is completed I’m more worried about the workers making use of the duspensary during their lunch break.
Are you also worried about “the workers” making use of the plethora of liquor stores during their lunch break?
It’s a lot easier to hide the effects of an edible vs. smelling alcohol on your breath. Valid concern.
Doesn’t matter, there’s a dozen other illegal places within a few blocks that the state or city won’t bother shutting down.
Isn’t there already a legal shop on the south side of 72nd St bet Amsterdam and Columbus? I’ve been in there and the helpful staff has everything in clear glass jars on the counter. They told me they were the first legal shop almost 2 months ago. I think we will need at least 10 years before all the hoopla will die down and pot stores will be just like liquor stores, something we walk by without noticing them. Can’t wait.
The reason the illegal shops keep the buds in jars is because they have the low quality 10-15% THC buds. These low quality buds look and smell great, but can’t be given away at the legal dispensaries because they are so low quality. So, the illegal shops buy the cheap low quality and then sell it as high quality to unsuspecting folks. Don’t be fooled. They aren’t there to help you, but to rip you off and make it seem like you got a good deal. And it you don’t believe it, ask them again if the are a legal shop. When they say yes, they just lied to you again.
They often say they are “legal” when they are not. Unfortunately.
You’ll know a legal one when you enter one. They are quite nice.
The controls are completely different. Usually security plus IDs required and much recorded.
And on top of that you’ll actually know what you are getting because there are regulations and controls in place for the products.
Not so in the illegal places.
don’t like giving out ID info unless it is necessary. I don’t think it is necessary!!
The store on 72nd (there are actually 2, but this is the one that kept the “Green Cleaners”
signage lol) displays a sign that they are a NYS licensed hemp dealer. I believe they can sell CBD and hemp derived products but they generally can’t legally sell products with THC-9 (not sure about THC-8).
Delta 8 is less legal in NY than regular delta 9. After 8 was legalized at the federal level, NY issued a big list of regulations that are essentially impossible to comply with so it’s very unlikely the delta 8 you see is legal. Then later the state legalized delta 9 in a very sloppy and haphazard manner but left the delta 8 regulations in place.
Definitely not a legal shop.
When people stop smoking in the streets, I agree. But I loathe, loathe, loathe the smell of marijuana
I couldn’t stand the smell of the heavy perfume a woman next to me at Carnegie Hall was wearing. But it was legal and she had the right to wear it, so I had to deal with it. As I did, with an KN95 mask. Live and let live.
I have been told by those folks who grow it that the strongest smell comes from the illegal stuff which is sprayed with many chemicals. When I was in my 20s and smoking regularly (I’m 76 now) I don’t remember it having such a strong smell. I’m still hoping that in 10 years or so people will understand that the illegal stuff risks being sprayed with fentanyl and they will buy legal stuff. I agree that I don’t like the smell on the street but I dislike cigarettes more, and that has always been legal. It’s just a lot less popular than it was 30-40 years ago.
Next time you are in the store, ask them to show you where their state-issued license is posted in the store. Let’s see what they say to that!
NO! They are not legal, but yes, their signage says they are!!
Nope. That’s not a legal shop.
The entire city now just reeks of the smell of pot. Many people do not like this. Children have to live with this smell everywhere.
Oh, won’t somebody please think of the children!
The city reeks of cigarette smoke. It’s disgusting and a health hazard.
No. Not in decades. I rarely see anyone smoking cigarettes nor do I smell it. Pot has a !such stronger smell in general.
LOL. Yeah, nobody smokes cigarettes any more. You’re so right.
Delivery service?
More bicycles endangering pedestrians….?
The continuing growth of “on-demand”/instant gratification culture…..
Yes the world was better when we all died by 42. 🤷🏻♂️
I must have missed all of that in the article….
More than a dozen of cameras, late night store hours, delivery service, what could possibly go wrong?!
Well if no one else is going to say it, I will: welcome to the neighborhood, Angelo, and best of luck.
I agree. Prefer to see a legal dispensary than all the illegal ones. And if you’re still feeling down about it, grab a pre-roll, go to the park, and chill out. It’s frankly not a bad thing at all!
It’s illegal to smoke in the park.
Touché! 😉
Agree and hope lots of local customers prove the other commenters wrong. This sounds a great new business. Suspect there is a fine customer base, for informed good quality medicinal use and otherwise, in the neighborhood (even if they don’t care to join the sometimes blinkered WSR comment crew).
No idea who specifically is happy about this. Everyone I’ve spoken to (and nearly 100% of the comments here) are negative.
I’m incredibly happy about this! I’ve been looking forward to this for years. Can’t wait to speak with licensed professionals about different types of products! I’m totally concerned by all of the whiners in this comment section. Get a grip!
Personally I am happy about it. I like a smoke now and then, and I would prefer to buy it from a place where it’s legal to sell and they know what they’re selling for the same reason I buy wine from a wine shop and not a bodega. Having grown up smoking hash, and having not enjoyed the weed I’ve smoked here, I’m looking forward to being able to go and talk to someone who knows, tell them what I like, and have them recommend something.
I’m specifically very happy about this.
People who enjoy weed and want to patronize a legal business? It’s not for me, but I’d imagine people who do would prefer a legit dispensary to an unregulated illegal shop where you may not know what you’re getting.
I think this is a great step in the right direction — if we get legal, licensed shops, then we can put more pressure on officials to shut down illegal shops. Right now there is an (inaccurate, in my opinion) attitude that “well, people want to buy marijuana, and the licensing process is too slow, so the illegal shops are meeting an unmet demand,” but if we get a licensed shop in our neighborhood, then there is a stronger argument that more effort should be expended to shut the illegal shops down.
I can’t get over what a hilarious phrase “a longtime cannabis connoisseur” is.
Why is it hilarious?
Lung cancer wont so hilarious. Smoking is smoking it all leads to COPD and cancer.
Fantastic-more stench on the streets of New York and get ready-one more weed store to rob! OH JOY!
You really shouldn’t be robbing weed stores. I believe that’s illegal. POLICE!!
What about the one that opened on 104 and Broadway. Come and Say High? Is that illegal?
That one is HUGE. It’s like a double wide store. I went in and the guy behind the counter was nice but they don’t have anything special and the prices are average.
Good luck to the first legal place but if the price is even 10% higher than my favorite bodega I will not buy there.
illegal
Does that mean all the many other cheesy looking pot shops along Broadway are illegal?
And Amsterdam. And Columbus. ALL illegal, selling product with zero quality and safety controls.
That’s not necessarily true, Most of what the illegal shops sell is imported from other states. So, while technically “illegal” to sell, it’s not any more harmful than what legal stores sell. I’m referring to the pre-packaged product – not the places that sell from a large container where it is loose,
Yes
I would assume potential customers to the legal shop are already smokers, so no, this is not creating more cannabis users.
I went to one of the New York State licensed shops on the East Side, it’s called ETAIN, and I dare you to know its a marajuana facility when you pass the store front. The name is out front, like it would be for a dentist, but you do not see anythings that suggests cannabis. And, no, employees are not smoking the product inside.
It’s a legit business and they conduct themselves with perfect restraint and professionalism.
I share the comments and sentiments of many others in that I DO NOT see this as a “positive “. Where was the Community Board representing this area? There are many layers, and discussions before such a business opens. I assume this is in a rental building as no co op or condo board would approve this. Gail Brewer, where are you?
TWO NEW SHOPS HAVE OPENED ON THE WEST SIDE OF BROADWAY AND 104th STREET. NO IDEA IF THEY ARE LEGAL OR NOT.
No licenses are displayed. I asked the clerk at Tobacco and he said the owner had the license. Come Say High and Tobacco are eyesores too. They look like they belong in Vegas not the staid UWS. Seems like there’s a pot shop every block up here near 104th. Who is renting out to these businesses? Coops?
Great news! But, if it’s far more expensive than the ‘illegal’ shops, it will be difficult sledding for them.
Please educate yourselves about the corrupt history of cannabis prohibition, how cannabis is infinitely better than alcohol which is what really should be banned if anything, its myriad benefits, etc; plus how legal dispensaries look and operate. You usually don’t even know that they are there. They are not like these in your face illegal smoke shops, and a lot of the negative perceptions are exactly why we need to get rid of the illegal garbage. Legal dispensaries are like showrooms, and usually don’t have bold signage outside and definitely do not have windows you can see through. Legal cannabis is a good thing and has little to do with all the smells.
Also in the modern cannabis industry edibles are common with greater availability, as people don’t want to be inhaling things; second to that are vapes that have little to no smell. The strong smell comes from burning flower which is more old school and additionally predominant in the black market.
WELCOME! I’m thrilled we are getting our own shop so close by-actually on my street!
Happy my pot money will now go to the neighborhood.
Looking forward to the opening.
I too hate the smell of pot smoke but it’s way better than cigarette smoke. Y’all need to go find hobbies. No one’s forcing you to smoke weed. Good luck to this guy!
At this point, who cares? The entire borough of Manhattan stinks of weed and one more shop, whether illegal or not, won’t make a difference.
These pearl-clutching comments are hilarious. I’m sure there was the same level of apocalyptic tongue-clicking when such things as horseless carriages and candle-free lighting were introduced. Maybe y’all should spark up and unclench a bit!
We need those horseless carriages–the ones that don’t use gas. If only ppl knew how to ride a bike safely:/
I was thinking about similar outrage when the first liquor stores opened up after they ended prohibition. Somehow we all survived.
Legal or not, this is a problem. And not welcome by the majority of upper west siders. Those of us who choose not to smoke this stuff are having it forced down our throats and into our lungs. Disgusting and dangerous.
Wait, are you referring to pot or cigarettes?
Not sure how this was approved, and is seemingly going forward , given it is located in a condo apartment building, not a rental building-unless they are subleasing the storefront space, but assumed some level of scrutiny would be required. (?)
Welcome to the neighborhood, Angelo! Will be stopping by when you’re open. All the best!!
According to Google Maps, 22 West 66th is a condo building on a residential block across from the soon-to=be-former ABC complex and next to Congregation Habonim. Can you recheck your facts or do some digging? Hard to believe an “official” dispensary would be located there…
Will they be selling Doritos? Nothing like one stop shopping.
I was gonna complain on the net, but then I got high,
I was gonna bitch and fret, but then I got high…
What bothers me more is the huge amount of dog poop on the sidewalks: It smells and we inadvertently step in it and we spend way too much time cleaning it off our shoes and sneakers. Making another plea to dog owners to PLEASE clean up after your dog.
This is not good news. This does not belong in a residential building on a residential block. They are not welcome here.
Can’t wait for the first robbery!
This is such total made up overwhelmingly boring nonsense.. Who wants to be surrounded by the smell of this pathetic stuff that totally destroys the environment outside.. People using it need to stay in their homes and leave us alone if they’re smoking cannabis… All the years going on and on about it and the arrests etc has been mind-blowing!
I wish they would just leave us alone and get a life!
When we did drugs in the 70’s and 80’s it wasn’t a big deal now it’s gone mad!! So many more important things for our ‘leaders’ to be fixing in the city!
Interesting that this would be in a residential building and not on more of a commercial street like Columbus / Amsterdam / Broadway
It’s totally a shame this residential have many children that will have to see the drug and the people are coming to buy my Johanna a shame on the board that approve that shop
To add some extra positivity… Welcome to the neighborhood, Angelo! I know many people who have been waiting for a legal dispensary to open in the neighborhood so this is very exciting!
It seems like a lot of commenters are uneducated as to how low-key legal dispensaries are. Especially given it’s location, I would be willing to bet you wouldn’t even notice Flower Power if you weren’t looking for it.
Read the headline, folks. The cannabis shop opening at 22 West 66th Street is the FIRST one on the Upper West Side, which includes zip codes 10023, 24 & 25. ALL the others are illegal, despite what you’ve been told or misleading signage. The sheriff’s office is (too) slowly closing the illegal ones, while about 6 more legal shops should open soon. The local community board (CB7) has vetted many, and approved the first bunch not long ago.
Yup, I just don’t know what is wrong with you people, getting high on a residential street, the smell of marijuana is a common comment from my friends from Europe who think we are crazy. Why is it a good thing that getting stoned, smoking in public and selling this stuff on a residential street is a good thing, Why aren’t you people who keep voting the same politicians every voting season understand that they are failing us? They get the votes because they are progressive? How about this isn’t working..take a trip to the Roosevelt Hotel and ask yourself why are the building owners failing? We have poor leadership