The Artist Tree, a California cannabis retailer known for combining cannabis with art, education and community programming, is expanding to the East Coast with a new location in Farmingdale, New York, this fall.
Scheduled to open with a soft launch in late September and a grand opening in mid-October, the Farmingdale location will become The Artist Tree’s first store outside California. The company says the location will also be Long Island’s largest dispensary by square footage.
The expansion brings a retail concept that goes beyond traditional dispensary design. The Artist Tree’s locations are designed as gallery-inspired spaces featuring rotating exhibitions from local artists. The Farmingdale store will showcase Long Island artists through quarterly exhibits, with artwork available for purchase.
The company says artists will receive 100% of the commissions from artwork sold through the gallery, providing an opportunity for local creatives to reach new audiences while retaining the proceeds from their work.
The Artist Tree is currently inviting Long Island artists to submit their work for consideration for the Farmingdale exhibitions. Artists interested in applying can do so through the company’s Long Island artist submission program.
The Farmingdale location will offer a selection of cannabis products from New York’s licensed brands, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, beverages, tinctures and wellness products. Cannabis specialists will also be available to provide product education and personalized recommendations.
“New York represents one of the most exciting cannabis markets in the country, and we’re delighted to introduce The Artist Tree experience to Long Island,” said Lauren Fontein, co-founder of The Artist Tree. “We’ve always believed a dispensary can be more than a place to purchase cannabis, it can be a place where people connect with their community, discover local artists, and feel welcomed regardless of their level of cannabis experience. We’re excited to bring that vision from California to New York.”
The company has built its California presence around creating cultural destinations that incorporate art installations, educational shopping experiences and community events. It currently operates 11 retail locations throughout California, including two on-site consumption lounges in West Hollywood and Hawthorne.
“California taught us that consumers want more than a transaction—they want an experience,” said Fontein. “We’re looking forward to bringing that philosophy east and becoming part of Farmingdale’s thriving and creative community.”
The new dispensary is planned for 900 Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale. It will offer in-store shopping and express pickup, with operating hours and initial product selections expected to be announced closer to the opening.
For Long Island artists, the arrival also presents an opportunity to have their work displayed in an unconventional retail environment while connecting with the local community.
As cannabis businesses continue to develop in New York, The Artist Tree is betting that combining retail with art and community can offer consumers a different kind of dispensary experience.