Marlborough Cannabis Retailer Seeks To Expand Hours

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Adult cannabis retailer Garden Remedies is asking Marlborough if it can expand its business hours.

The retailer, located along the Boston Post Road East in the Marlborough Square Shopping Center, says it needs to stay open longer to "address some of the negative business impacts of the COVID-19 emergency," according to a letter sent to City Council.

If approved, Garden Remedies would open one hour earlier Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m., and would stay open three extra hours on Sunday until 8 p.m. The retailer's attorney, Brian Falk, noted that the hours are in line with local liquor stores.

The Marlborough City Council is reviewing the request, and voted on Monday to hold a public hearing on Nov. 16. Ward 4 Councilor Robert Tunnera voted against the proposed public hearing.

Cannabis retailers across Massachusetts had to shut down over the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. The store reopened over the summer with pickup service.

Garden Remedies was the first — and so far only — recreational cannabis store to open in Marlborough. But two others are in the works. The City Council granted Vedi Naturals a special permit in August for a store at the Twin Boro Crossing shopping plaza, 505 Boston Post Road. Local Roots NE is aiming to open a store at 910 Boston Post Road.