BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – The owners of a new marijuana business in downtown Binghamton say it’s not an illicit pot shop, but rather a members-only cannabis lounge.
House of Cielo at 210 to 214 State Street is still undergoing construction. Once finished, it will retail to its members only cannabis products like flower and edibles in one section.
The adjacent larger room will be turned into a lounge for cannabis-based activity and discussion.
Owners Joe Napolitano and Mike O’Brien say it will have TV’s and games.
The plan is also to host live events such as music, comedy and poetry readings as well as activities such as puff and paint or puff and pose which is yoga.
O’Brien, who is serving as the Executor to the Investor, says it will be a non-alcoholic alternative to bars for socialization.
“You can kind of look at it like a community center for adults. Instead of going to a bar and end up getting in trouble at 2 o’clock in the morning, you come here and maybe hang out until midnight and watch the game and have a good time and have good conversation. And we definitely invite open conversation,” said O’Brien.
Napolitano was previously a partner in another marijuana store in Endicott called Cloud Nine.
O’Brien says he already operates a similar on-site consumption lounge in New Rochelle, New York called Exhale.
O’Brien believes that their operation will be legal because they will only sell to their members and not be open to the public. However, he’s also looking to tether the business to someone else’s existing license.
O’Brien says memberships will be around $10 a month and that the membership proceeds will be donated to local community efforts.
He hopes to have the lounge open sometime in July.
You can find out more @house.of.cielo on Instagram.