Ivy Hall Damen Cannabis Dispensary Hosts Historic Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

Illinois First Operating Social Equity Cannabis Dispensary is Open for Business

 

Ivy Hall Damen Cannabis Dispensary Hosts Historic Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

Illinois First Operating Social Equity Cannabis Dispensary is Open for Business

 Ivy Hall Damen, the state’s first operating social equity cannabis dispensary, hosted its ribbon cutting and grand opening at its flagship dispensary at 1720 N. Damen Avenue in Chicago. Dozens of social equity champions, including elected officials, regulators, and representatives from neighborhood groups, joined company officials as they cut the ribbon at a morning ceremony.

On Nov. 10, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced its historic licensing approvals. Ivy Hall immediately commenced retail operations, and the state’s first transaction at a social equity cannabis dispensary occurred shortly after 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11.

“It was with profound humility and personal amazement that I saw our team members open the state’s first social equity dispensary and help make history,” said Nigel Dandridge, co-founder and chief strategy officer for Ivy Hall, license owner and spokesperson for the Dandridge family, who was the social equity applicant. “Three years ago, Ivy Hall was a lofty dream I shared with my dad, a retired Chicago elementary teacher and basketball coach, and some close friends. Today, Ivy Hall is helping usher in a new era of equity and justice in the cannabis industry at our flagship location on Damen Avenue.”

The 4,800 square-foot dispensary is 61% African American owned and rejuvenated a long-vacant retail space on Damen Avenue. Ivy Hall is a sensory dispensary that appreciates the experience of cannabis. Company Officials wanted to create a neighborhood boutique that engages all the senses to embrace the experience of cannabis— not just the product.

Officials credit state officials with reserving space in the state’s cannabis industry for additional companies to enter the market with various concepts and approaches.

“Through the leadership of Governor Pritzker and innumerable other champions of equity and justice in the Illinois General Assembly, our state’s rapidly growing cannabis industry will be owned and operated by hundreds of other license holders like my family and me,” said Dandridge. “Ivy Hall will earn our place in the state’s dispensary market with best-in-class locations, excellent customer service, and outstanding curated menus that help us guide our customer’s experience to something more meaningful.”

To compete in the market, officials with Ivy Hall are working with other social equity license holders and will have a strong brand and market presence in Chicago and the suburbs. Officials hope to have ten operating dispensaries under the Ivy Hall brand within the next 12 to 18 months.

“Local leaders in Chicago and across the region enacted common sense regulations that allow social equity dispensaries like Ivy Hall to access great retail locations and grow the cannabis market,” said Dandridge. “Today’s celebration is just the beginning of a new era in the cannabis industry. I thank our state and local leaders for keeping their promises and delivering the nation’s most equitable and just cannabis program.”


Ivy Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. More information is available at: ivyhalldispensary.com 

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