After securing approval from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon the Chef is officially moving forward with plans to bring his cannabis franchise to downtown Newark.
Following the regulatory board’s Oct. 19 vote to award a Class 5 retail license, Oregon-based brand Hashstoria will make its New Jersey debut early next year in the city’s Four Corners Historic district, initially opening as a dispensary and then evolving into a consumption lounge later in 2024.
Now with license in hand, Raekwon, along with his partners, media personality Charlamagne tha God and prominent civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, will continue working with Rachael Grochowski, principal at Montclair-based RHG Architecture+Design, to restore the long-vacant property at 799-805 Broad St.
Grochowski, an architect known for creating inspiring immersive retail environments, expressed her enthusiasm, highlighting the intricacies of reviving the circa-1900s building.
She stated, “I’m thrilled to apply my expertise in crafting a space that not only mirrors our collective vision but also optimizes the potential of every element. Design will play a pivotal role in shaping the comprehensive experience of our customers, from the very moment one enters. Our partnership with Hashstoria signifies an unwavering dedication to creating an environment that transcends conventional expectations, ushering the entire cannabis journey into a new realm of excellence.”