Puffin Store in New Brunswick in Middlesex County in Central Jersey opened last year on George Street for legal adult-use cannabis sales. It is prospering due to its affordable prices, quality selection, and commitment to the community.
They won an annual license needed to operate a legal New Jersey cannabis dispensary last year. It was recently renewed by the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) after they have been open for a full year.
After establishing themselves, the Puffin Store is doing well. Co-founder and Director of Operations Alejandro Benjamin III noted many professionals, Rutgers University faculty, and graduate students shop there.
Founder and CEO Nathan Yanovitch explained they have many customers in their 50s and 60s that some would be surprised they consume cannabis.
“It doesn’t discriminate,” Alejandro said of cannabis consumption.
He noted a student could buy one affordable joint while a doctor from a hospital might buy a whole ounce of cannabis flower.
Independent Cannabis Flower Available
AB noted they are selling many local independent flower growers products like Hamilton Farms, Garden Greens, Brute’s Roots as well as Clade 9 and the new vape cartridge or cart maker Jersey Smooth.
“We give ‘em a shot. We highlight them for sometimes weeks on end,” Alejandro explained.
There are many more to come. Nathan added more and more legal cannabis cultivators and product manufacturers are getting to the market.
He noted they are eagerly awaiting legal infused cannabis drinks to sell in their licensed dispensary.
Quality, Affordable Cannabis
Nathan said they have discounts going every week.
The Puffin Store company understands that many New Jersey cannabis consumers feel that the price of legal cannabis has been too high. So, they do their best to make it more affordable.
“Every weekend we’re super aggressive on discounts. Monday to Thursday expect something,” Benjamin explained.
“Anywhere from 20 to 30 percent. It is subject to change,” he added. “It’s only going to get better.”
Great Atmosphere at Puffin Store
The Puffin Store has great character and atmosphere.
It certainly does not have the cold feel of some large cannabis corporations that are Multi-State Operators (MSOs) dispensaries based on Apple Stores.

So, the place is filled with colorful and funny decorations. For example, one thing says, “Legalize marinara.”
They also have informative posters about cannabis and its many details.
“That was always our goal,” Alejandro explained.
He said their goal was to make cannabis fun.
A good atmosphere gives customers a good reason to come back.
New Brunswick Community Minded
They have been very community-minded and involved in the community.
For example, Puffin Store is working with Middlesex County to funnel donations to the Urban Health Collaborative Food Drive and the food pantry on the Rutgers University campus that helps locals.
In addition, Puffin Store is among the sponsors of the upcoming New Brunswick Oktoberfest on October 13th. The beer festival is a popular community party that happens every year around the world.
Nathan noted they participated last year as well.
Puffin Store manager Eliana Fetik noted they have worked hard to become part of the community. For example, she said they are friendly and easy to approach.
“That opens us up to all walks of life,” Eliana explained.
As a whole, they are thankful for the warm reception they have received from both New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill’s administration and the community as a whole.
Socially Minded Local, Diverse Owners
The Puffin Store company is diversely and locally owned by Nathan, Alejandro, and Co-founder and Vice President of Legal Affairs, Ms. Gabriel Eustache.
Nathan is a serial entrepreneur who lives in Edgewater in North Jersey. He got into the cell phone store business in the mid-90s right as they became popular. Nathan explained he had been looking for a new business to launch to support his young family.
Eliana noted most of their employees are diverse locals and many went to Rutgers.
Nathan noted many of their budtenders and employees been around the whole year since day 1.
“That’s important to me,” he said. “It is about the budtenders. It is about the experience. When you keep the employees this long… it feels good.”
Nathan noted some have already been promoted.
The Puffin Store is socially minded. For example, they are in favor of cannabis home growing legalization, which remains a felony, and sponsored Heady NJ’s June 2023 Home Grow Forum.
Good Things Coming
Eliana noted their 2024 holiday season sales discounts will be long and generous and will include swag, stickers, shirts, grinders, and batteries.
“We’re really thinking of different ways to bring in more interactivity,” she explained.
“We gave everything but the kitchen sink for a while, and we are continuing to do so,” Nathan explained. “I love to see them walk out and say I love this place.”
The Puffin Store is already planning winter holiday celebrations and activities.
He noted he loves the warmness of the New Jersey cannabis industry and community.
“There’s a lot of compassion in this industry,” Nathan explained happily.
He noted that the cannabis industry can be very slow. But over time, the market has expanded with more dispensaries and more brands available.
“We knew… it was going to take a while. A year later we are happy,” Nathan said.
He noted they are looking for opportunities to expand. For example, they are planning a dispensary in New York in Brooklyn for example.
“There’s so much more to come,” Nathan added. “We’ll never be perfect but we will try and deliver.”
(This is a paid advertorial ad from a deal between Heady NJ and Puffin Store.)