N.J. Legal Weed Company Garden State Dispensary Has Rebranded To AYR (as In ‘air)

Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the AYR Dispensary in Woodbridge.

The Garden Community Dispensary changed its name to AYR (pronounced: air), a short form of its parent company's name, Ayr Wellness.

Shoppers visiting the Garden State Dispensary adult cannabis stores in Union and Woodbridge today will notice the upgrade and rebranding. Notice of the change was posted on its website on Thursday: “AYR's change brings many much needed improvements to Gardens staff, not just a new look. New brands. More options. Improved experience."

Originally a nonprofit, Garden State Dispensary was one of the first six companies in New Jersey to be licensed to grow, process and sell cannabis to patients a decade ago. In September 2021, she acquired eight-state Miami-based Ayr Wellness for $101 million. At the time of the acquisition, Garden State had the largest sales volume of any operator. Stores in New Jersey joined Massachusetts and Pennsylvania as AYR-branded stores.

New Jersey native Julie Winter, head of retail sales at Ayr Wellness New Jersey, said the company has come up with a rebranding plan that makes sense for business, patients and customers.

Road Tripper Premium Flower at the AYR Dispensary in Woodbridge, Thursday, December 1, 2022

“We chose Garden State because of their convenient location and great reputation in New Jersey,” she said Thursday after visiting a Woodbridge store after the rebrand.

The Eatontown dispensary on the North Jersey coast is the smallest location to be rebranded as the store expands to a newly acquired facility next door.

Stores have changed layout and color scheme. The new name draws attention with blue and white hues in the waiting area and sales area. It brings a clean and bright new aesthetic to the space.

The addition of more checkouts and an improved check-in area will reduce waiting times. Pre-ordering online will expedite visits to patients and adult clients.

The goal of Ayr Wellness is to increase brand awareness in the store, as well as the many product lines it offers, and make it more beginner-friendly. Large posters are hung throughout the trading floor.

Due to their central location, Union and Woodbridge dispensaries receive a steady stream of visitors. Air was cleared to begin adult sales in May, a month after the market opened this year. In an investor presentation in November, the company reported about $790 million in revenue for 2022.

It was an evolution of the state weed industry, showing how some of the original licensees were able to prosper. Winter says Air intends to help those without a vertical license — companies licensed to operate in only one category of the cannabis market — grow in the same way.

Eyre has helped micro-enterprises like The Library of West Orange with the application process and plans to host events like relocations and job fairs, Winter said.

“Working with the community and ISVs has always been important to us,” Winter said. “From providing resources for small businesses to training and supply contracts and our social justice initiatives, we have provided a smart entry into the public market.”

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Gabby Warren is a reporter for Cannabis Life at NJ.com . It will cover retail, trade and weed farming. Send your questions to weed users at gwarren@njadvancemedia.com . Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @divix3nation .