Cannabis dispensaries Strain Stars, Beleaf set to open in Riverhead after town eases zoning regulations

The first two recreational marijuana dispensaries in Riverhead are set to open within the next two months after the town eased zoning regulations earlier this year, according to officials at both companies. 

Riverhead is one of four Long Island towns allowing marijuana sales along with Babylon, Brookhaven and Southampton. The shops would join three other retail dispensaries that have opened so far, all in the town of Babylon.

Both would be second locations for the businesses.

Strain Stars, which opened in East Farmingdale in 2023, is planning to open in a vacant 14,400 square foot commercial building at the corner of Route 58 and Kroemer Avenue in Riverhead. Beleaf, which opened in Brooklyn last month, is converting a 3,200 square foot space in the Calverton Commons complex on Middle Country Road in Calverton for a dispensary.

A review by Riverhead’s planning department shows the locations comply with town zoning rules that allow dispensaries within 1,000 feet from homes if they lie on commercial corridors, including Route 58 and Middle Country Road. The town approved the zoning change in March after acknowledging that earlier versions were overly restrictive.

“In Riverhead, given that we’ll have a lot more space, we want to make sure that it’s a one-stop shop for everything cannabis related,” said Yuvraj Singh, 25, Strain Star’s CEO. Singh said they will offer a range of products, including marijuana flower, edibles, vapes, tinctures and accessories and plan to offer same-day delivery.

A Riverhead location seemed like a good fit, Singh said, since many customers at their flagship location travel from eastern Long Island. He is aiming to open before Thanksgiving Day.

Beleaf owner Michael Reda said his proposed location became eligible after Riverhead changed its zoning rules.

Reda, 38, said Beleaf’s will have "a little bit of everything" at a range of prices and the business is focused on giving back to the community by supporting local organizations and educating consumers.

“There’s such a vast variety of products on the market … different ways to consume and have beneficial impacts,” he said. “It’s not just to smoke and get high.” Reda anticipates opening by the end of October or early November.

Renovations are underway at both locations, which must obtain certificates of occupancy and a final state inspection and approval before opening their doors.

Dispensaries opening could inject the Town of Riverhead with tax revenue.

Under state law, a 4% tax goes to the municipality where a dispensary is located. A quarter of that revenue goes to counties and the rest goes to the town, city or village.

Babylon Town has collected more than $1.8 million from cannabis sales from two shops. A third dispensary, Planet Nugg, opened in East Farmingdale last month.

Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard said in an interview he welcomed the dispensaries. “It can’t happen soon enough as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “The tax money that we’ve been losing by not having this up and going is incredible.”

The town board has not determined how revenues raised from marijuana taxes would be allocated, Hubbard said.

Though two dispensaries are on the horizon, zoning remains a barrier for other businesses. 

Brian Stark of Merrick is seeking to open a shop at 1086 Old Country Road in Riverhead, on the north side of Route 58. Town officials have objected to the location since it is within 1,000 feet of Riverhead High School property, which is around the block on Harrison Avenue.

But state rules say dispensaries must be at least 500 feet from schools and located on the same street for the requirement to apply.

Officials from the state Office of Cannabis Management said Thursday the department has received several "unreasonable and impractical claims" and may review local laws before issuing an advisory opinion but declined to comment on Stark's specific claim.

Stark, 44, said he is pursuing town approvals while waiting for guidance from the state.

“I’m hoping they find a pathway for me through a variance because I’m legitimately like, 100 feet away from that lot line. You can’t see the school, it’s not affecting anything,” he said.