PETERSBURG — Township Committee has thrown its support behind Boulevard Super Liquors as the sole cannabis dispensary in Upper Township.
Township Committee approved a resolution Aug. 10 issuing a municipal Letter of Support to Bayside Supply Co. LLC for a class 5 cannabis retail license at 501 Roosevelt Blvd.
“It was based on a lot of criteria but by far their presentation was the best,” Mayor Curtis Corson said.
Two others had applied for the license, including Tim Fox, owner of Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern and the Deauville Inn in Strathmere.
The endorsement is a required step for the annual license application with the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and the resolution includes a host community benefit contribution to the township.
Township Committee voted unanimously Feb. 25 to allow one retail cannabis shop on Roosevelt Boulevard, despite numerous pleas for the five members not to do so.
Multiple residents of Upper Township and Ocean City spoke out in opposition for nearly two hours but failed to sway one vote as committeemen approved a trio of measures opening the door to the business.
The township expects to earn an estimated $20,000 a month from the 2 percent tax on sales. In addition, the township would collect a $10,000 application fee, with half returned to those who are unsuccessful, and a $7,500 annual license fee.
Corson, who has been upfront about the need to increase revenue to help fund the annual budget, also believes the real estate taxes will increase for the property where the business is located, generating further revenue.
The measures create a cannabis overlay zone between the Garden State Parkway interchange and the 34th Street bridge where retail sales will be permitted at one location, create a license and allow for taxation.
Allowable hours of operation will mirror liquor stores, which operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
“It was a long road to get there, almost a year, and I think it’s going to be a good thing,” Corson said, noting the township has dedicated the tax revenue to three separate pots: general fund, recreation and beach maintenance/replenishment.
“I think that’s a good commitment to the community for things budgeted for every year,” he said.
The dispensary is expected to be open by next summer but the township will not be able to budget any income until the 2028 cycle, which will be based on what the dispensary pays out over the remainder of next year.
“We’re excited,” owner Dave Beyel said.
He plans to make room in the existing building, in the rear on the east side where the wine room is located, to convert into retail space. It will have a separate entrance, as required by law.
Beyel said new development would be very difficult due to environmental concerns.
“The buildings along this boulevard will be the only buildings here for a long time,” he said, noting the other applicants also planned to stay within the footprint of existing construction.
Beyel said that will allow for development to proceed quickly.
“We’re already moving full-steam ahead, hoping to get permits and open some time next spring or summer,” he said.
The liquor store has been selling THC-infused beverages and Beyel believes cannabis will be a nice addition to his offerings.
“We have seen a lot of carts with alcohol- and THC-based products; customers overlap pretty often,” he said. “We think that a one-stop shop for both products makes a lot of sense.”
He said the location has abundant parking and a well-known ingress and egress, as well as nothing across the boulevard, making it “probably the best fit for it.”
The business will be discreet, he said, both because he wants it to be and the township demands it.
“I have three kids here. Discretion in how it’s run and managed is important to us,” he said, noting the design and signage will be tasteful. The logo will feature a sea gull on a pile.
“We hope to make something that when driving by doesn’t smack you in the face,” Beyel said, acknowledging it is a high-traffic location. “We want it to look presentable and really nice in the community.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff