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Draft:The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store

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Introduction

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The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store is a BIPOC-founded cannabis retail brand based in New York. Established in March 2021 following the legalization of recreational cannabis use in New York State, the company marked its first anniversary of operations in 2024. The company participates in the legal cannabis market and provides opportunities for communities affected by historical cannabis prohibition policies. The company provides information about cannabis properties and offers a variety of products. In its first year, the brand served over 125,000 consumers and generated $5 million in tax revenue.[1][2] In January 2024, the company rebranded from Union Square Travel Agency to The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store.[3][4] It was the first brand of licensed recreational dispensaries in New York to open a third location.[5] It includes products from BIPOC and women-owned brands.[6][7] Paul Yau serves as the CEO, and Arana Hankin-Biggers is the President. Both are also Co-founders of The Travel Agency brand.[8][9]

History

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The Travel Agency was founded in March 2021, following New York State's legalization of recreational cannabis. The Travel Agency was among the first dispensaries to open following the issuance of retail licenses.[10] It converted a vacant space on East 13th Street into its first retail location in early 2023.[11] This inaugural store is owned by The Doe Store LLC and contributes to The Doe Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding formerly incarcerated and homeless individuals through employment, housing, and supportive services. The first pop-up location opened on February 13, 2023, in Union Square, with the full buildout completed later at the store’s permanent location at 835 Broadway.

The Travel Agency provides educational information for cannabis consumers in New York City. The dispensary's interiors were designed by the architecture firm Leong Leong with a minimalist, art-gallery-like atmosphere.[12] The dispensary carries over 350 products and provides educational information about cannabis.[13] The permanent location at 835 Broadway has a Flower Lounge where customers can learn about terpenes and cannabinoids.

In its first year of operation, The Travel Agency served over 125,000 consumers, generated approximately $5 million in tax revenue for New York State, and created 120 jobs.[14][15] The store provides insights into consumer preferences, showing a preference for edibles, vaporizers, and pre-rolls among a diverse customer base.

The rollout of legal dispensaries in New York has been slow, with only 31 licensed retail stores open as of late 2023, despite Governor Kathy Hochul's projection that over 100 would be operational by this time.[16] The Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) license was designed to help those most negatively impacted by harmful drug policies get a fair chance in the new industry.[17]

With the growth of the legalized cannabis industry in New York, individuals who previously faced legal challenges due to minor cannabis possession charges have transitioned into legal roles within the industry. Those impacted individuals now work openly as budtenders in these dispensaries, indicating broader societal changes due to legalization.[18]

In early 2024, The Travel Agency expanded by opening a new location in Downtown Brooklyn. Initially, it operated as a pop-up.[19] This new store, located at 188-122 Flatbush Ave., operates under The Travel Agency's brand name but is owned by GMDSS LLC and its principal, Robert Degen, through a licensing deal.[20] This partnership is part of The Travel Agency's initiative to support other CAURD licensees.

According to its founders, The Travel Agency is the first licensed dispensary in New York to open a second location and will be among the first legal dispensaries in Brooklyn, which recently saw its first legal recreational marijuana store open in Gravesend.[21] The new Brooklyn location offers a variety of products, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, and infused beverages. Its operating hours are from 9am to 11pm (Sunday-Thursday) and 9am to 12am (Friday-Saturday).[22]

Locations and Operations

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The Travel Agency brand operates multiple locations in New York City:

The Travel Agency Union Square: Opened in February 2023 at 835 Broadway, this store is owned by The Doe Store LLC. More than half of its profits support The Doe Fund, a non-profit organization. The dispensary features a minimalist design with art-gallery-like elements.[23] The design includes curved walls, oblong display cases, and glass domes. The 2,800-square-foot space operates as a retail exhibition space with retro-futuristic details.[24] The 150-square-foot Flower Lounge serves as the shop’s centerpiece, showcasing cannabis plants, accessories, and paraphernalia.

The Travel Agency Downtown Brooklyn: Located at 188-122 Flatbush Avenue, this store is owned by GMDSS LLC, a CAURD licensee. The store operates under The Travel Agency's brand name via a licensing deal and is owned by GMDSS LLC and its principal, Robert Degen. The store launched with a 3,500-square-foot pop-up before moving to its permanent 4,800-square-foot location in June 2024.[25] The pop-up carries a curated selection of products, including vapes, flower, edibles, and pre-rolls.[26] According to CEO Paul Yau, "the store caters to a wide demographic and features an Instagrammable entrance."[27]

The Travel Agency Fifth Avenue: Opened in mid May 2024 at 587 5th Avenue, this store is owned by CAURD licensee Terrapin Greens LLC. The store is situated between 47th and 48th Streets, flanked by neighbors like H&M, Lululemon, and Sephora. Accessible via the 47th-50th Rockefeller Center station and Grand Central Terminal, the location is 3,300-square-feet.[28] Designed by the Leong Leong firm, the store offers a selection of cannabis products and service from budtenders.[29] It operates seven days a week, from 9 AM to 11 PM (Sunday to Thursday), and extends hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The grand opening event on May 8, 2024, marked the inception of the first legal adult-use dispensary on 5th Avenue.[30]

Community Engagement and Social Impact

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The cannabis industry in New York is projected to create 63,000 jobs by 2025, with many positions in retail and customer service, providing significant employment opportunities for the city's workforce.[31]

The Travel Agency operates within the legal cannabis market in New York. The brand provides operational and marketing support to CAURD license holders. Through its partnership with The Doe Fund, The Travel Agency participates in social responsibility initiatives.[32]

The Travel Agency’s partnership with The Doe Fund is a collaboration that supports reentry programs, transitional housing, and social services for formerly incarcerated and formerly homeless populations.[33] The Travel Agency also collaborates with the Cannabis Justice and Equity Initiative, founded by Doe Fund graduate Terrence Coffie. CJEI recently launched a cannabis training program for formerly incarcerated men and women, and The Travel Agency supported the first 25-person cohort and hired several graduates to work at Union Square.[34]

The Travel Agency seeks to address harmful stereotypes around cannabis and mitigate the impact of the War on Drugs on communities of color. Co-founders Hankin-Biggers and Paul Yau prioritize POC, women, and LGBTQ-owned cannabis businesses.[35]

The cannabis industry has created significant job opportunities in New York City, particularly for those who left jobs in the city’s hotels and restaurants.[36]

The Travel Agency provides information on purchasing from licensed dispensaries, where products are tested at state-approved labs and sold in child-proof packaging. Trained budtenders provide a safe and informed shopping experience, contributing to a diverse and healthy market.[37]

The Travel Agency hires formerly incarcerated individuals and cannabis "legacy" operators, and carries products from LGBTQ, BIPOC, and women-owned brands. This commitment to inclusivity and diversity is a key aspect of its community engagement efforts.

The Travel Agency also partnered with the House of Cannabis (THC NYC) museum in Soho. Patrons could order cannabis products through The Travel Agency kiosks and receive deliveries within an hour.[38][39] This collaboration aimed to make cannabis accessible and convenient, while enhancing the educational and experiential aspects of visiting the museum.

Press Coverage

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The Travel Agency has been mentioned by various media outlets for its business model and community-focused initiatives. Media reports have mentioned the brand's role in the legal cannabis landscape of New York, its support for marginalized communities, and its partnership with The Doe Fund. The opening of its inaugural Union Square location was widely reported, indicating a development in the brand's growth and participation in the legal cannabis market.

The store's focus on education, inclusivity, and design has been mentioned in multiple articles, highlighting its efforts to provide a safe and informed shopping experience.[40] The partnership with House of Cannabis (THC NYC) has been described as a way to combine cultural experiences with cannabis retail.[41][42]

In January 2024, Green Market Report covered the announcement of The Travel Agency's new store in Brooklyn. This expansion represents a step for the brand, with the new location operating under a licensing deal with GMDSS LLC, another CAURD licensee.[43] The report noted the role The Travel Agency will play and the potential benefits for the new store.

In September 2023, actor and comedian Amy Sedaris served as a guest budtender at The Travel Agency Union Square. Sedaris interacted with customers and highlighted the store’s mission, support of The Doe Fund, and the importance of women-run businesses in the cannabis industry.[44] Her participation drew attention to the dispensary and its social impact efforts.

In January 2024, Brooklyn Paper reported on The Travel Agency's plans to open a new dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn, highlighting the company’s growth and its ongoing mission to support justice-impacted individuals.[45]

In May 2024, Benzinga covered the opening of The Travel Agency's third location near Rockefeller Center. [46]

Fast Company featured the brand for its high-end and artistic retail environments, emphasizing the design of its stores.[47]

References

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  1. ^ "The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Boosts NY Economy & Community". StupidDOPE. February 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "Just One Weed Dispensary In New York Generated $5M In Tax Revenue In Its First Year And Created 100 Jobs". Benzinga. February 13, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Kalina, N (January 31, 2024). "Union Square Travel Agency Has Rebranded as The Travel Agency". Trendhunter. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "The Travel Agency Expands to Downtown Brooklyn, Formerly Union Square Cannabis Store". Honeysuckle Magazine. January 24, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "New York's The Travel Agency Opens Third Cannabis Shop". Benzinga. May 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Brendlen, Kirstyn (January 25, 2024). "Mile 'high' club: The Travel Agency to open new dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "The Travel Agency Opens Third Recreational Dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn". StupidDOPE. June 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "Women Owners Changing the Game in New York Cannabis Retail". Honeysuckle Magazine. 26 January 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  9. ^ "Paul Yau - CEO at The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store". The Org. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  10. ^ Partridge, Katherine (February 15, 2023). "Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Opens in New York, 'The Starting Line'". Cannabis Business Times. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  11. ^ Cuza, Bobby (May 10, 2023). "Behind the scenes at Union Square Travel Agency, one of New York's first cannabis dispensaries". NY1. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  12. ^ Stone, Jaxson (December 1, 2023). "What Recreational Cannabis Means for Dispensary Design in New York". Metropolis. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  13. ^ June, Chala (November 30, 2023). "The Wide World of Weed". Edible Manhattan. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  14. ^ Staff (February 14, 2024). "The Travel Agency Generates $5M in Tax Revenue for NY State". Mary Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  15. ^ June, Petra (February 13, 2024). "The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Boosts NY Economy & Community". stupidDOPE. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Zakim, Stu (November 20, 2023). "New York's Cannabis Dilemma". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Zakim, Stu (November 20, 2023). "New York's Cannabis Dilemma". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  18. ^ Southall, Ashley (February 18, 2023). "Looking for a Job? The Cannabis Industry Is Hiring in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Honeysuckle Team (February 27, 2024). "The Travel Agency Union Square Celebrates Its First Anniversary With Accolades, Celebrity Guests, And Consumer Insights". Honeysuckle Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Schroyer, John (January 22, 2024). "New York's Travel Agency to Open Brooklyn Cannabis Store Under Licensing Deal". Green Market Report. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Brendlen, Kirstyn (January 25, 2024). "Mile 'high' club: The Travel Agency to open new dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  22. ^ Kumamoto, Ian (January 24, 2024). "A major player in NYC's cannabis scene is opening a second shop". Time Out New York. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  23. ^ Stone, Jaxson (December 1, 2023). "What Recreational Cannabis Means for Dispensary Design in New York". Metropolis. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  24. ^ Han, Gregory (September 7, 2023). "Union Square Travel Agency Flies High Evoking Eero Saarinen's TWA Flight Center". Design Milk. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  25. ^ Schroyer, John (January 22, 2024). "New York's Travel Agency to Open Brooklyn Cannabis Store Under Licensing Deal". Green Market Report. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  26. ^ Brendlen, Kirstyn (January 25, 2024). "Mile 'high' club: The Travel Agency to open new dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  27. ^ Miller, Brad (January 5, 2024). "As a New Cannabis Retail Store Opens in Brooklyn, Another Medical Dispensary Quietly Closes". Syracuse.com. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "The Travel Agency Elevating Cannabis Culture with Fifth Avenue Dispensary Debut". stupidDOPE. May 8, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  29. ^ "New York City's New Luxury Cannabis Stores Are Works of High Art". Fast Company. May 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "The Travel Agency Elevating Cannabis Culture with Fifth Avenue Dispensary Debut". stupidDOPE. May 8, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  31. ^ Southall, Ashley (February 18, 2023). "Looking for a Job? The Cannabis Industry Is Hiring in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  32. ^ June, Petra (February 13, 2024). "The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Boosts NY Economy & Community". stupidDOPE. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Honeysuckle Team (February 27, 2024). "The Travel Agency Union Square Celebrates Its First Anniversary With Accolades, Celebrity Guests, And Consumer Insights". Honeysuckle Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  34. ^ Brendlen, Kirstyn (January 25, 2024). "Mile 'high' club: The Travel Agency to open new dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  35. ^ Kumamoto, Ian (January 24, 2024). "A major player in NYC's cannabis scene is opening a second shop". Time Out New York. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  36. ^ Southall, Ashley (February 18, 2023). "Looking for a Job? The Cannabis Industry Is Hiring in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  37. ^ Zakim, Stu (November 20, 2023). "New York's Cannabis Dilemma". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  38. ^ Culgan, Rossilynne Skena (October 25, 2023). "You can now buy cannabis at NYC's weed museum—you just can't use it there". Time Out New York. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  39. ^ Schiller, Melissa (October 16, 2023). "New York's Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Partners With House of Cannabis on Delivery, Education". Cannabis Business Times. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  40. ^ "The Travel Agency Blends Cannabis and Design in Brooklyn". Brooklyn Magazine. February 26, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  41. ^ Culgan, Rossilynne Skena (October 25, 2023). "You can now buy cannabis at NYC's weed museum—you just can't use it there". Time Out New York. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  42. ^ Schiller, Melissa (October 16, 2023). "New York's Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Partners With House of Cannabis on Delivery, Education". Cannabis Business Times. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  43. ^ Schroyer, John (January 22, 2024). "New York's Travel Agency to Open Brooklyn Cannabis Store Under Licensing Deal". Green Market Report. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  44. ^ Weaver, Shaye (September 27, 2023). "Amy Sedaris shares where she likes to be high in NYC". Time Out New York. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  45. ^ Brendlen, Kirstyn (January 25, 2024). "Mile 'high' club: The Travel Agency to open new dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  46. ^ "New York's The Travel Agency Opens Third Cannabis Shop". Benzinga. May 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  47. ^ "New York City's New Luxury Cannabis Stores Are Works of High Art". Fast Company. May 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
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