'Sephora Of CBD' Opens A Shop In The East Village

EAST VILLAGE, NY — A new CBD retail shop that wants to be the "Sephora of CBD" opened its third Manhattan storefront in the East Village this month.

After launching in Tribeca last November, Come Back Daily has since opened up storefronts in East Harlem, and last Thursday, in the East Village at 516 E. 11th St.

The idea is to curate a variety products, bringing CBD-enthusiasts to a one-stop-shop, and encourage their customers to — as its moniker suggests — come back daily.

"We want to be the Sephora of CBD, where it's like we're really getting to a place where everybody has a choice," said co-owner Waseem Ghattas. "I do compare [the CBD industry] to the make-up world."

Just like make-up has an extensive amount of products for different skin types and needs, so does the rapidly growing wild west of the CBD market, Ghattas said.

The shop sells more than 200 products in its online shop.

Co-owners Ghattas and Steven Phan vet CBD products from companies that have already established themselves within the CBD market, rather than make their own products.

The products all have cannabidiol — an extract from cannabis that differs from the marijuana molecule known as THC. CBD does not get its users high — but the cannabidiol craze has wellness junkies jumping on CBD for a variety of products that's become seen as a cure-all product. The $390 million industry, which could balloon to $1.3 billion by 2022, has yet to be formally regulated by the Food and Drug Administration — though CBD dietary supplements are technically illegal, STAT News reported this month. Earlier this year, the city's Health Department barred restaurants and bars from using CBD as a direct additive in food and drinks, the department said at the time.

But the regulatory grey area hasn't stopped the CBD industry from blossoming.

At Come Back Daily, Ghattas imagines a focus in the New York City market will be CBD's reported anxiety- and stress-reducing effects, he said.

Ghattas, of Long Island, first started using CBD himself about five years ago when a friend told him, "This stuff doesn't get you high, man, but you should definitely try it. You feel really good."

Since then, he and Phan focused their efforts on making it a business. His professional background is in production and events, and Phan, of San Francisco, has previously co-founded a cannabis lifestyle company.

Their shop is tucked in a downstairs storefront on 11th Street between avenues A and B.

The store has a wide-open feel with products galore on display — from lotions, oils, and bath bombs to coffee beans, chocolate, and CBD joints. Samples of products are offered in-store for people to try on the spot — something customers can't get ordering products online.

The store extends into a backroom, where Ghattas and Phan plan to sell home goods. There is also a backyard garden space. Ghattas and Phan have started hosting CBD educational events, yoga and more at the three locations.

"It's such a new thing. People really want to know more," said Ghattas. "We're really happy about the East Village location because it's a great spot. There's a ton of foot traffic here."