Nuestra LLC dba Boston Garden recently held a public meeting introducing itself to the community and addressing any concerns about its proposed business model.

By Morgan Gaffney

Nuestra LLC dba Boston Garden, a Massachusetts-based cannabis brand, moves forward in their process to open an adult-use marijuana establishment at 518 Somerville Ave. The proposed retailer was discussed during a virtual community outreach meeting they held via Zoom last Thursday evening. After a presentation about how the retailer would function, the meeting was opened up to the community for questions and concerns.

No community members attending the meeting objected to the proposed site.

As time goes on since the legalization of marijuana in the state of Massachusetts on December 15, 2016, marijuana retailers have become more common, with over 225 locations around the Commonwealth. Boston Garden’s establishment would join this increasing number across the state, as well as in the City of Somerville.

“I suspect that this facility is really going to be almost kind of like a neighborhood pharmacy, or a neighborhood liquor store,” says Phil Silverman, a partner at Vicente Sederberg LLP, the firm representing Boston Garden. Vicente Sederberg LLP, a national law firm, specializes in cannabis law and policy.

Silverman, along with Ivelise Rivera, the majority owner of Nuestra LLC, dba Boston Garden, and a neutral moderator, led this community outreach meeting.

Common concerns with opening a cannabis facility were addressed and appeased in the presentation, as well as general information about retailer.

Silverman explained that construction to renovate the location would take between three to four months. The facility would open in about seven to eight months from the time renovations begin.

There will be several elements to the security of this establishment. “This is a limited access facility,” says Silverman.

When customers first walk in, they must go through what Silverman calls a sally port, an area before they enter the facility where they must show identification to prove they are over 21 years of age before moving forward. After customers prove they are of age, they are buzzed into the retail area where they are helped by employees with their order. Once they have finalized their order and go to check out, they must show identification again.

There will be security cameras in and outside the facility. They will be installed in every room that cannabis is handled inside, and there will be a 360-degree view of the premises outside. Perimeter and panic alarms will also be in several places around the building.

Security guards will be stationed throughout the retailer, as well as monitoring security cameras at all times during operating hours. The security footage will be monitored offsite by a 24/7 dispatch team available if anything should happen outside of business hours.

At the end of the day, all products will be locked in a vault that only limited staff have access to.

There will be a 24/7 contact number to call should there be any nuisance to surrounding businesses or residents. “Any neighbors, if you’re watching, and you want that number, we can give that out to you just before we open, so that if there’s an issue, there’s a complaint, if there’s some kind of a nuisance, you’ll have access to our manager to be able to address it,” says Silverman.

Boston Garden aims to hire only diverse or local staff. They want to help the Somerville community in many ways, such as making contributions of at least $2500 to charitable organizations in Somerville and having their staff spend 30 hours doing volunteer work around the city annually.

“There’s all sorts of opportunities for cross-promotion,” says Silverman, in response to a community member asking how Boston Garden will partner with other Somerville businesses. From handing out business cards and flyers from other companies to helping them out financially, Boston Garden is “always interested” in working together with fellow local organizations.

Another community member brought up the construction process the location must go under and parking.

“If there are problems, I can only encourage you to speak to us,” Silverman says, if any residents take issue with aspects of construction.

As for parking, Silverman explained that the retailer does not have their own parking, only public. They don’t anticipate a problem with this, as cannabis establishments do not see nearly as much traffic as they used to because of the increasing number of them statewide. 

Other questions about demolition during the construction process and whether Boston Garden was leasing or buying the location arose. Silverman stated there would be no demolition, but significant interior renovations, and they would be leasing the space.

Silverman and Rivera ended the meeting with closing remarks, thanking community members for their time, and encouraged anyone to reach out if they had further questions or concerns.