Article by By Melissa Hanson, courtesy of Mass Live
Alex Mazin wanted customers coming to Bud’s Goods and Provisions to start their retail experience the moment they entered the parking lot.
Now, anyone who drives into that lot at 64 West Boylston St. in Worcester can see that Mazin’s vision came to fruition, as their eyes first meet a mural that stretches the side of the brick building, leading customers to the door with a promise of good bud. The front of the 1930s building has fresh paint, restored arches and a new sign, keeping retro charm at a new business.
Mazin wanted to keep a historic look at Bud’s, while also working to normalize cannabis as the state’s industry continues to develop.
“One of our real goals is to normalize cannabis,” Mazin said in a recent interview, standing outside the shop. “Just by the location of this place, we have a Dunkin’ across the street, we have a Bank of America, CVS, all very normal commercial places people go to. This location, 64 West Boylston, is an iconic location in Worcester with the diner, being on West Boylston Street and Gold Star Boulevard.”
Inside the store, Bud’s is dotted with intricate details. There’s marquee signage throughout, decorations that nod to Worcester’s history and landmarks, and the walls are lined with cubbies that showcase the marijuana products that will be for sale. Bud’s brings a touch of Americana, with red, white and blue coloring throughout, in addition to some industrial touches. Mazin thinks the design of his shop is the next evolution of cannabis retail.
“We wanted to identify as being the first New England marijuana brand,” Mazin said. “A New England brand that doesn’t exist yet in our eyes.”
Bud’s is planning to open Monday, with online orders only for its first seven days. Walk-ins are planned to start Nov. 9.
The store is situated in the North Worcester neighborhood, which has recently become a bit of a destination in the city. The area is home to family-owned restaurants like Lou Roc’s, the Trolly Yard plaza, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co. and businesses along Gold Star Boulevard, among other stores and eateries.
Bud’s is the first recreational dispensary in that section of the city. Worcester is also home to Good Chemistry, Diem and Resinate.
“We’re your local dispensary that sells good buds to great neighbors and really what we’ve done here is taken that into account with our products that we’re offering and to build something that the community says, ‘yeah, I live in Bud’s neighborhood. That’s my go-to dispensary,’” Mazin said.
Originally, the building was a food market, Mazin said. Since then, it has been home to several businesses.
“Then it evolved and the diner came in and that became a staple. This was the place where I bought my very first snowboard, it was Eastern Boarder … My location and my dream is right here in my home city, it’s a crazy feeling,” said Mazin, a Worcester native.
Bud’s was designed with two behaviors in mind, Mazin said. There is a dedicated space for customers who pre-ordered to pick up their marijuana and get back on the road. For shoppers who want more of an experience, the larger retail space has enough room to peruse the selection and to ask questions of the budtenders.
“Someone’s going to want to come in quickly, someone is going to want to experience it. We’ve got to make two stores in one,” Mazin said, adding that the business took the time to really think through its retail strategies.
Bud’s is not vertically integrated, which means the store will be selling cannabis products made by partners. Mazin said they plan to sell flower from seven different suppliers, with at least 30 strains and 25 types of pre-rolls.
A brand called Bountiful Farms will be sold only at Bud’s and at Theory Wellness, Mazin said. Another local brand, 253 Farmacy, will also have products for sale at Mazin’s shop.
“I think that just goes to show you we’re not just called Buds. Our relationships with our supplies are like friends,” Mazin said.
Additionally, Mazin said he believes Bud’s is the first Massachusetts marijuana retailer to launch a white label product. Bud’s has partnered with Revolutionary Clinics on a product to be called “Little Buds.” The goal is to bring down pricing by selling an eighth of “popcorn” nugs for $30.
“At $55 an eighth, that’s not a fair, just market for all. We’re working together to help provide some options that are affordable to everybody to consume safe, tested products that are purchased legally and keep people out of trouble,” Mazin said. “We all claim we want to do this legally and help everyone out, then we need to really compete with the illicit market and this is our effort and collaboration with [Revolutionary Clinics] to achieve that for our community.”
Bud’s currently has 28 employees and Mazin said he wants to hire about six more. Mazin said he’s working to open two other retail locations within the next 12 months, one in Watertown and another on Route 18 on the Abington and Weymouth line.
