Town approves Connecticut’s first drive-thru dispensary
A new cannabis dispensary approved in a Connecticut town will be the first of its kind in the state.
The Manchester Planning and Zoning Commission approved a proposal by Ayr Wellness to open the town’s third dispensary at the former Starbucks location on Spencer Street with the state’s first drive-thru service.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Gina Beiser of Hebron. “I think it will be more convenient for people just to drive on through.”
There were some concerns about traffic, but unlike Starbucks, where you could pull up and order at the drive-thru window, Ayr Wellness said adult use and medical cannabis pick-ups would be scheduled in advance so they could be spaced apart to avoid back-ups.
“I think that will definitely be really successful, especially because that’s very new,” said Katie Murphy of Glastonbury. “Like a new concept to people, it makes everything convenient. That could be good for people who like that.”
A local engineering firm, Vliets & O’Neill, also found that most of the Starbucks-related traffic was in the morning, which is earlier than when the dispensary opens at 10 a.m.
The other two dispensaries in town—Curaleaf and Fine Fettle—are in the Buckland area of Manchester, just a few miles away.
Manchester’s town manager told News 8 that the Curaleaf and Fine Fettle generate a combined $40,000 a month in taxes, and this one will add to that.
Ayr Wellness would also be closer to Glastonbury and other towns that don’t allow dispensaries.
“I think it’s not gonna be a big deal,” said Beiser. “I mean, there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like something that’s just the way it seems to be.”
Gary Anderson, the town’s economic development director, said there would be almost no changes to the 1,600-square-foot building, which is already equipped to serve drive-up clients and those who want to come inside.
