Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. is relocating from Montclair to Wharton.

The new dispensary is scheduled to open by mid-June at 325 Route 15 in a former Capital One bank location. The 3,000-square-foot shop features 13 sales terminals as well as a drive-thru option.

The MSO says the storefront will enhance access for medical and adult-use customers. The shop will offer a diverse selection of products, including whole flower, vaporizers, concentrates, ingestibles, topicals and accessories.

Ascend plans to mark its grand opening in Morris County with a June 28 celebration from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the day will include product demonstrations, networking and sweets from the Glazed & Confused doughnut truck. Those interested in attending the celebration may contact [email protected].

According to Ascend CEO John Hartmann, Ascend is offering all Montclair employees the option to work in Wharton, which is about 23 miles away.

NJ’s first ATC

In Montclair, Ascend will wind down operations June 16. Presently, Ascend is the only cannabis retailer in the city, though two other dispensaries have received approvals to open: Night Owl and Kush Connection.

Ascend’s current store on Bloomfield Avenue was the first alternative treatment center to launch in New Jersey following the state’s legalization of medicinal cannabis, opening as Greenleaf Compassion Center. In 2021, it was acquired by Ascend and rebranded as part of the MSO’s family of dispensaries. 

Since then, Ascend opened two brand-new stores selling recreational and medicinal cannabis in New Jersey: Fort Lee in August 2022 and Rochelle Park in May 2021.

During a May 2023 appearance before the Wharton mayor and council, the company said it wants to leave Essex County because the area is “oversaturated.” Ascend said it believes the new Morris County location would help hit an underserved market.

Along with community engagement, local job creation and other outreach efforts, Ascend representatives said Wharton would stand to see about $460,000 in revenue through the excise tax, based on the average New Jersey dispensary run rate of $23 million annually.

Wharton was among the 80% of municipalities across the state that opted out of allowing cannabis sales. However, it reversed course last summer and lifted the restrictions.

Hartmann told NJBIZ, “We’re excited to announce our move to Wharton, where we aim to meet the growing need for accessible cannabis in Morris County, an area that has been underserved compared to Essex County.”

Hartmann added, “Our new location will offer enhanced convenience, including a drive-through service for a smooth and efficient customer experience. Despite this move, our commitment to the Montclair community remains strong as we plan to continue supplying our products to dispensaries in Essex County, including future operators at the same site, to ensure that our valued customers can still access the products they know and love. As we close our doors in Montclair, we want to express our gratitude to our patients and customers for their support and loyalty over the years.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated to include information for those interested in attending the grand opening celebration as well as a statement from Ascend CEO John Hartmann and a photo of the new location. On June 27, 2024, this story added updated information from Ascend about the extended hours for the June 28 celebration.