A local developer is seeking a special zoning exception to open a cannabis dispensary at the former Woolworth building at 428 Main St. in Middletown. The proposed entrance would be in the back at Mellilli Plaza.
Developer Dominick DeMartino is seeking a special zoning code exception to open a cannabis dispensary at 7 Mellilli Plaza in Middletown. At the top is the future rooftop patio bar.
A local developer is seeking a special zoning exception to open a cannabis dispensary at the former Woolworth building at 428 Main St. in Middletown. The proposed entrance would be in the back at Mellilli Plaza.
Developer Dominick DeMartino is seeking a special zoning code exception to open a cannabis dispensary at 7 Mellilli Plaza in Middletown. At the top is the future rooftop patio bar.
MIDDLETOWN — The city Planning and Zoning Commission is again considering whether to allow cannabis sales in the downtown's business zone.
The latest request is still up for public hearing with an application from a local developer seeking a special exception to open a cannabis dispensary on Main Street.
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The request on behalf of developer Dominick DeMartino, who has been investing millions in restoring several historical buildings downtown, was made by Updike, Kelly & Spellacy Attorney Jesse Langer.
The proposal is for a 4,600-square-foot, “high-end” dispensary in the 11,500-square-foot former Woolworth department store building at 428 Main St. with a rear entrance at 7 Melilli Plaza.
The board rejected the same text amendment application made by the city in September. Presently, cannabis sales are not allowed in the downtown’s business, or B1, zone.
Attorney Jerry Farrell Jr., one-time commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection during the state’s efforts to legalize recreational cannabis, would operate the establishment. He is also a former principal at CT Pharma.
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Langer said the facility would be “very, very heavily secured” with cameras and other measures.
The business would follow the state’s social equity plan, which includes making local charitable contributions, and working with minority-owned businesses in an effort to help the “economically disadvantaged,” he added.
The front entrance would only be used in an emergency, Langer said.
The dispensary would hire between 10 and 15 full- and part-time employees, and be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
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Customers typically spend between three and five minutes inside choosing products or picking up online orders, and the average sale, DeMartino said, is between $68 and $72.
The city is expected to bring in between $150,000 and $200,000 a year from the 3% municipal tax on sales at the new dispensary.
In fiscal year 2023-24, it received $170,000, and FY 24-25, had $152,253, according to Land Use Director Marek Kozikowski.
That caused a "significant increase" in revenue to the city, Mayor Ben Florsheim said in a letter read by Chief of Staff Bobbye Knoll Peterson.
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During a difficult budget season and with fewer sources of revenue, he added, the tax would provide a new source of funding to make investments, including in infrastructure, streetscaping, public health and youth services.
Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director Chris Cambareri read a letter supporting the dispensary.
"Cannabis retail establishments being thoughtfully located and operated can contribute to economic vitality, increased foot traffic and the revitalization of underutilized storefronts,” it said.
Common Council President, Pro Tempore Jeanette Blackwell is against the proposal.
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“While money is nice and revenue is essential for a community to thrive … money cannot be the sole driver for these types of decisions,” Blackwell said.
Ann McKinney, who owns 438 Main St., the building where the Middlesex Music Academy is located, praised DeMartino as a “wonderful” and “hard-working” businessman.
However, she added, this was about the city and its future.
"This is the heart of Middletown," McKinney said. "This is the center of Middletown. We have so many students and young people coming out and milling around there, and then with all the restaurants and stuff, it is just too crowded."
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Diane Gervais, owner of Amato’s Toy & Hobby at 395 Main St., told commissioners she is "deeply concerned this will forever alter the family friendly vibe.”
Gervais said DeMartino is a “great developer,” but she wishes the business was going elsewhere.
"Would Disney put a cannabis dispensary on Magic Kingdom's Main Street?” she asked. “Of course not.”
Marc Levin, owner of Malloves Jewelers at 404 Main St., also supported the plan in a letter, saying it would "enhance the downtown area by diversifying the city's retail offerings.”
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His shop is close to DeMartino's other projects, Levin added.
"During that time, I have noticed an increase in foot traffic that has done nothing but benefit the downtown-area establishments," he said.
Matt Lefebvre, owner of Middlesex Music Academy, opposes the idea, said in a letter a dispensary "could undermine the family friendly environment that has been so integral to the success of the academy and vibrancy of downtown Middletown."
Most of his customers use the shop’s rear entrance, next door to the proposed dispensary, he added. They include some 450 students ages 6 to 16 who take music lessons there.
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When it came time for commissioners to vote, member Nathaniel Spencer said he voted against the proposal in September, however, since learning more, "I've come to regret that vote. I feel this establishment would bring a lot of benefits to our city.”
Alcohol and opioids are more on his mind, Spencer added.
"I think it's a bit hypocritical that we allow liquor stores to be built in the B-1 zone, and we have no problem with that, but we would be so concerned about how this would change the character of our city.”
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Commissioners voted to continue the public hearing to their April 9 meeting.
Cassandra Day is an assistant managing editor with the Middletown Press. She is an award-winning multimedia journalist and resident of the North End of Middletown who has been reporting nearly every facet of the city for over two decades.
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Middletown officials consider 'high-end' cannabis shop on Main Street downtown – Middletown Press
