A new retail dispensary is proposed in Woodbury Heights in a building which previously was the home of Nova bank.
Additionally a previously approved dispensary about 3/4 of a mile North on Rt 45 in Woodbury at a former Arby’s fast food restaurant appears to be completing their remodeling efforts, and they are looking to hire their General Manager.
A small coincidence between the two properties is the Woodbury (Arby’s) location will be called Nova Farms, and the proposed Woodbury Heights will be in the former Nova bank… but they likely will operate under a different name when they open.
Woodbury Heights – Shiv Prasad LLC
The Woodbury Heights retail cannabis project at 30 Elm will be presenting before the planning/zoning board on February 6th at 7:00 PM at the Woodbury heights municipal building.
The proposed business is located near the corner of route 45 and Elm Ave. In a building that previously housed Nova bank.
The larger triangular shaped property formed by Mantua Pike (Rt 45) and the New Jersey Turnpike is also home to the Hollywood Cafe Bar and Restaurant and a small office building. The businesses are not affiliated.
The proposed retail cannabis facility is approximately 3,400 sq feet and in my recent visit to the building a construction dumpster was on site. It appeared that demolition work was taking place inside the Woodbury Heights building.
It would seem that the core access to the new dispensary would be off of Elm Ave directly past Route 45 (and jug-handle turn off). That being said the parking lots of the three properties there do connect.
In this area of Route 45 the roadway is lined by commercial projects including the large Southwood Shopping Plaza (across the street), a Giant Fitness is close by, as well as other commercial businesses.
Behind those roadway frontage commercial businesses there are residential neighborhoods.
According to the published public notice regarding the meeting, the proposed dispensary will only require minor site plan approval to convert the former bank building into a retail cannabis facility.
The applicant also requires a conditional use approval. It seems the business is allowed for the properties zoning but it requires approval before moving forward.
“The Applicant also seeks conditional use approval because the property is located in the Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district, where retail cannabis facilities are a conditional use”
I have tracked Shiv Prasad LLC to Allentown Pennsylvania, but cannot pinpoint an association to an existing cannabis business.
Nova Farms Woodbury
We reported on the the proposed Nova farms dispensary in Woodbury at the former Arby’s restaurant back in August of 2022.
That project was approved by Woodbury and Nova Farms has been working on the remodeling of the building.
While I am unaware of the changes on the interior, overall the exterior remains somewhat the same as the Arby’s, except for a new darker color scheme based on a dark gray motif. It looks new and modern.
The former fast-food restaurant’s drive-through window is still visible on the building but in my research it appears that the the city of Woodbury ordinance states that there shall not be any drive-through cannabis operations In town.
While we don’t have an opening date for the facility, they are now looking to hire their General Manager. This job posting appeared about a week ago.
So while it’s a good sign that they’re moving into the hiring mode, keep in mind this is just the General Manager role for now so they’re probably a little bit away from hiring employees to work within the store ahead of a Grand Opening.
Nova forms is based out of Massachusetts and it appears that they also have applied for a location in Woolwich Township NJ.
Links and Location
Woodbury Heights Cannabis Retailer Planning/Zoning Meeting
Shiv Prasad LLC – 30 Elm Ave
February 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in-person
Borough of Woodbury Heights Municipal Building
500 Elm Avenue
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
Nova Farms Retail Dispensary Woodbury (Not Open)
642 Mantua Pike
Woodbury NJ, 08096