HudHaus Dispensary Opens in North Bergen for Cannabis Sales

HudHaus dispensary in North Bergen open for cannabis sales exterior displayed

The HudHaus dispensary opened the first dispensary in North Bergen in Hudson County for recreational or adult-use cannabis sales.

The store is located near North Bergen’s Hudson River waterfront at 9001 Old River Road. Across the street is the town of Edgewater in Bergen County. The dispensary is up against the Palisades.

At 3,000 square feet, it is one of the largest stores in the area.

Great Atmosphere at HudHaus in North Bergen

HudHaus had one of the best atmospheres of a dispensary in Hudson County and is in the running for North Jersey. 

Artwork on the wall featured Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra, the artist Jean Micheal Basquiat, and the legendary Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. A local artist from North Bergen created them.

HudHaus CEO Pharoah Lozano said it’s nicer than a Starbucks.

Their brand color is a shade of light purple called mauve, which he said can be found in some strains like Purple Haze. So Lozano noted the mauve color of the building is distinctive and attracted people.

HudHaus dispensary in North Bergen open for cannabis sales front exterior displayed

Notably, HudHaus has a parking lot for 22 cars. Their logo is a cloud, and the motif is found throughout the dispensary.

Partner and Assistant General Manager Salam Diri noted their dispensary is colorful and welcoming, with friendly, knowledgeable staffers, versus the cold, impersonal atmosphere of dispensaries owned by large corporate Multi-State Operators (MSOs). 

HudHaus dispensary in North Bergen interior displayed

Many Newer Brands Available

Notably, HudHaus features products from the new grower North Lake Supply. In addition, consumers can purchase include Miss Grass, Full Tilt Labs, Garden Greens, Fernway, Clade9, and Mudd Brothers.

Diri said they have some exclusive deals with some of the new independent brands that might be harder to find elsewhere in Hudson County.

Senior Shift Supervisor Estefania Valencia noted they wanted to support legacy growers and create an ecosystem.

Like some of the newer dispensaries, HudHaus will feature cannabis flower in jars that can be seen and smelled to measure the quality.

Lozano said only 35 percent of their products are from large MSOs.

That is much lower than dispensaries that opened last year.

Highly Trained Staff of Budtenders

Their workforce, also known as budtenders, underwent an intensive training period. Many are local North Bergen residents. 

The sales staff were taught how the body’s *endocannabinoid system operates and how cannabis products interact with them, the differences between the different forms of cannabis, flower, vaporizers, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and topicals, and how they can help consumers make the best decisions as to how they prefer to consume cannabis. 

“It’s amazing for your mind, it’s amazing for your spirit,” Valencia said about cannabis.

That’s why it’s important to learn about it.

Giving Back to the Community

Being social justice-minded, Lozano said they want to donate money to the youth.

“Over time, the impact we have on the impact will make us more impactful than just selling weed,” he said.

Lozano is eager to give back to the community. 

“I’ve been giving back forever to kids,” he explained.

HudHaüs is passionate about being part of the inclusive North Bergen cannabis community.

“I could make $500 million, and I wouldn’t leave this neighborhood,” Lozano declared.

He noted that being a local, he is especially eager to maintain a good reputation in the community. 

“This isn’t a company being run from Flordia, or Massachusetts, or California. Our upper executive floor is 5 people, and 4 of them went to North Bergen High School,” Lozano argued.

“We want to be game changers and correct all the things wrong with the industry, the coldness, the lack of knowledge, the corporatism, the capitalism, the lack of community. They all talk of social equity… and they don’t do anything. We’re going to lead by example,” Diri declared.

“Opening HudHaus has been a long road,” said Lozano.

They secured the property 2 and a half years ago.

“I got arrested 20 years ago across the street for selling weed in Edgewater. I thought it was North Bergen; I’m good here. That kind of motivated me to where I am today,” Diri said.

“The cop was like, you’re a criminal. I’m not a criminal. I’m a personal trainer. I want to show people I’m not a bad person,” Diri explained.

He has been a leading figure in the New Jersey cannabis legalization movement industry and community for some time now.

With his girlfriend Valencia, they host yoga events under their Sanna Ohana brand, where they promote the benefits of cannabis and CBD while holding yoga classes and fun events. 

Ownership Background

Lozano and his partner Demetrios Kaltsis have been in real estate, architecture, and development in North Bergen for 2 decades. 

Lozano noted his experience in real estate exposed him to a lot of local politics.  

Tony Rutondo had a well-known deli in town for 22 years. Diri has been a health and wellness professional in the area for 21 years.

“It’s great to be working with my North Bergen friends, Salam, Tony, Demetrios, and now Vince, as well as our great team of budtenders to provide our customers with the best experience not only in Hudson County but in New Jersey,” Lozano said.

Their courteous and knowledgable staff can help consumers find the cannabis products to suit their needs. Browse our online menu and place an order for pick up at our dispensary.

They are planning a wellness space or a cannabis consumption lounge on the second floor once the NJCRC approves them. They would also need approval from North Bergen to open as well. From the second-floor window, you can see part of the New York City skyline.

Valencia said they will be doing yoga and wellness events as well as brand launch parties in the space once it is complete.

Customers must show a photo ID showing they are 21 and over to enter the store and buy products.

HudHaus received the annual license needed to open in February 2024 from the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC).

Diri threw an after-party recently to promote the brand at the recent Cannabis World Congress (CWC) conference in New York.

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