The laundromat at 54 Bridge Avenue an applicant had sought to convert to a cannabis retail shop. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
A state-licensed cannabis retailer that was seeking borough approvals to convert a 54 Bridge Avenue laundromat into a pot shop has withdrawn its application.
The application by Flora RB LLC had been the subject of three Red Bank Planning Board hearings at which neighbors voiced objections to the conversion of the building, which sits directly adjacent to Strollo’s Italian Ices and across the street from another cannabis shop, Monteverde NJ.
Neighbor and attorney Silvia Constantino (in blue) and her attorney Michal Convery go through evidence at a July Planning board hearing as she testifies against the application by Flora RB to convert the building that abuts her law office into a cannabis shop. Flora RB attorneys Alexandra De La Torre and Edward Mainardi sit at the far table. (photo by Brian Donohue)
Even if they got planning board approval, the Marlton-based company still faced hurdles to opening, namely the lack of a retail cannabis license issued by the borough. All three of the licenses allowed under the cannabis ordinance passed in 2023 have been issued to operators already up and running.
At the second hearing in May, Mayor Billy Portman had directly told Flora RB’s attorneys the borough would not be issuing any more licenses. (see story below).
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After a third Planning Board hearing in July focusing on traffic and other issues, the matter was continued to Sept. 11, but that meeting was later cancelled.
Borough officials said the company withdrew its application recently and did not give a reason. The application was dismissed without prejudice by the planning board, which means the applicant can re-apply in the future if they choose. An email to Flora RB’s attorney Edward Mainardi was not immediately returned.
The company originally filed its plans with the borough under the name Flora RB, then changed the name to Two River Greens LLC, which appears on the state license approvals, then back to Flora RB, according to company reps attending the planning board hearing in July.
The planning board has approved one other state-licensed cannabis retailer that has been shut out by the three-license limit on borough licenses. That company, The Garden at Red Bank LLC is suing the borough with the hopes of getting the courts to force the issuance of an additional license. (see story below)
RED BANK: POT SHOP HOPEFULS SUE BOROUGH FOR LICENSE
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
