The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store

Introduction
The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store, is a BIPOC-founded cannabis retail brand based in New York. Established in March 2021 following the legalization of recreational cannabis use in New York State, the company celebrated its first anniversary of operations in 2024. The Travel Agency aims to support the legal cannabis market and provides opportunities for communities affected by historical cannabis prohibition policies. The company focuses on educating the public about cannabis properties and offers a variety of products. In its first year, the brand served over 125,000 consumers and generated $5 million in tax revenue. In January 2024, the company rebranded from Union Square Travel Agency to The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store, reflecting its expanded presence. The Travel Agency is the first brand of licensed recreational dispensaries in New York to open a third location and is committed to carrying BIPOC and women-owned brands. Paul Yau serves as the CEO, and Arana Hankin-Biggers is the President. Both are also Co-founders of The Travel Agency brand.

History
The Travel Agency was founded in March 2021, aligning with New York State's legalization of recreational cannabis. The Travel Agency was among the first dispensaries to open following the issuance of retail licenses, converting a vacant space on East 13th Street into the brand's first retail location within just a few weeks in early 2023. This inaugural store is owned by The Doe Store LLC and contributes to The Doe Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding formerly incarcerated and homeless individuals through employment, housing, and supportive services. The first pop-up location opened on February 13, 2023, in Union Square, with the full buildout completed later at the store’s permanent location at 835 Broadway.

The Travel Agency aims to create a unique experience for cannabis consumers in New York City. The dispensary's interiors, designed by the architecture firm Leong Leong, focuses on a minimalist, art-gallery-like atmosphere. The dispensary carries over 350 products and aims to provide an educational experience for its customers. The permanent location at 835 Broadway features the first-of-its-kind Flower Lounge, a dedicated space where customers can learn about terpenes and cannabinoids.

In its first year of operation, The Travel Agency served over 125,000 consumers, generated approximately $5 million in tax revenue for New York State, and created 120 jobs. The store is able to provide insights into consumer preferences, that show a preference for edibles, vaporizers, and pre-rolls, with a diverse customer base spanning five generations.

The rollout of legal dispensaries in New York has been slow, with only 31 licensed retail stores open as of late 2023, despite Governor Kathy Hochul's projection that over 100 would be operational by this time. The Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) license was designed to help those most negatively impacted by harmful drug policies get a fair chance in the new industry.

With the growth of the legalized cannabis industry in New York, individuals who previously faced legal challenges due to minor cannabis possession charges have transitioned into legal roles within the industry. Those impacted individuals now work openly as budtenders in these dispensaries, reflecting the broader societal changes and opportunities presented by legalization.

In early 2024, The Travel Agency expanded by opening a new location in Downtown Brooklyn. Initially, it operated as a pop-up. This new store, located at 188-122 Flatbush Ave., operates under The Travel Agency's brand name but is owned by GMDSS LLC and its principal, Robert Degen, through a licensing deal. This partnership is part of The Travel Agency's initiative to support other CAURD licensees.

According to its founders, The Travel Agency is the first licensed dispensary in New York to open a second location and will be among the first legal dispensaries in Brooklyn, which recently saw its first legal recreational marijuana store open in Gravesend. The new Brooklyn location offers a variety of products, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, and infused beverages. Its operating hours are from 9am to 11pm (Sunday-Thursday) and 9am to 12am (Friday-Saturday).

Locations and Operations
The Travel Agency brand operates multiple locations in New York City:

The Travel Agency Union Square: Opened in February 2023 at 835 Broadway, this store is owned by The Doe Store LLC. More than half of its profits support The Doe Fund, a non-profit organization. The dispensary features a minimalist design with art-gallery-like elements. The design includes curved walls, oblong display cases, and glass domes. The 2,800-square-foot space operates as a retail exhibition space with retro-futuristic details. The 150-square-foot Flower Lounge serves as the shop’s centerpiece, showcasing cannabis plants, accessories, and paraphernalia.

The Union Square location offers over 350 products across 10 categories, including edibles, flower, pre-rolls, vaporizers, and accessories from various brands. The store provides in-store shopping, online ordering for pickup, and delivery services throughout Manhattan and parts of west Brooklyn, with plans to expand delivery.

The Travel Agency offers self-service ordering via tablets and assistance from trained budtenders. The store's sleek design and subdued lighting create an elevated shopping experience.

The Travel Agency Downtown Brooklyn: Located at 188-122 Flatbush Avenue, this store is owned by GMDSS LLC, a CAURD licensee. The dispensary is noted for its selection of edibles, weed strains, and accessories. The store operates under The Travel Agency's brand name via a licensing deal and is owned by GMDSS LLC and its principal, Robert Degen. The store launched with a 3,500-square-foot pop-up before moving to its permanent 4,800-square-foot location in June 2024. The pop-up carries a curated selection of products, including vapes, flower, edibles, and pre-rolls. According to CEO Paul Yau, the store caters to a wide demographic and features an Instagrammable entrance.

The Travel Agency Fifth Avenue: Opened in mid May 2024 at 587 5th Avenue. this store is owned by CAURD licensee Terrapin Greens LLC. The store is situated between 47th and 48th Streets, flanked by neighbors like H&M, Lululemon, and Sephora. Accessible via the 47th-50th Rockefeller Center station and Grand Central Terminal, the location is 3,300-square-feet. Designed by the award-winning Leong Leong firm, the store offers a curated selection of top-quality cannabis products and personalized service from expert budtenders. It operates seven days a week, from 9 AM to 11 PM (Sunday to Thursday), and extends hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The grand opening event on May 8, 2024, marked the inception of the first legal adult-use dispensary on 5th Avenue.

Community Engagement and Social Impact
The cannabis industry in New York is projected to create 63,000 jobs by 2025, with many positions in retail and customer service, providing significant employment opportunities for the city's workforce.

The Travel Agency is dedicated to fostering a robust and equitable legal cannabis market in New York. The brand offers operational and marketing support to CAURD license holders, aiding in the reversal of the detrimental effects of past drug policies. Through its partnership with The Doe Fund and justice involved individuals, The Travel Agency continues to support social responsibility initiatives, empowering individuals experiencing homelessness and advancing restorative justice.

The Travel Agency’s partnership with The Doe Fund is a collaboration that supports reentry programs, transitional housing, and social services for formerly incarcerated and formerly homeless populations. The Travel Agency also collaborates with the Cannabis Justice and Equity Initiative, founded by Doe Fund graduate Terrence Coffie. CJEI recently launched a cannabis training program for formerly incarcerated men and women, and The Travel Agency supported the first 25-person cohort and hired several graduates to work at Union Square.

The Travel Agency aims to dismantle harmful stereotypes about cannabis and address the War on Drugs' disproportionate impact on communities of color. Co-founders Hankin-Biggers and Yau prioritize BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ-owned cannabis businesses.

The cannabis industry has created significant job opportunities in New York City, particularly for those who left jobs in the city’s hotels and restaurants.

The Travel Agency engages with its community through The Travel Club, offering exclusive access to merchandise drops, member-only events, and limited-edition bundle offers.

The Travel Agency educates consumers about the benefits of purchasing from licensed dispensaries, ensuring products are tested at state-approved labs, free of contaminants, and sold in child-proof packaging. Trained budtenders provide a safe and informed shopping experience, contributing to a diverse and healthy market.

The Travel Agency hires the formerly incarcerated and cannabis “legacy” operators, and carries LGBTQ, BIPOC, and women-owned product brands. This commitment to inclusivity and diversity is a key aspect of its community engagement efforts.

The Travel Agency also partnered with the House of Cannabis (THC NYC) museum in Soho. Patrons could order cannabis products through The Travel Agency kiosks, and receive deliveries within an hour, providing a unique and convenient shopping experience. This collaboration aimed to make cannabis accessible and convenient, while enhancing the educational and experiential aspects of visiting the museum.

Press Coverage
The Travel Agency has received attention from various media outlets for its business model and community-focused initiatives. Coverage has highlighted the brand's role in the evolving legal cannabis landscape of New York, its support for marginalized communities, and its partnership with The Doe Fund. The opening of its inaugural Union Square location was widely reported, marking a significant milestone in the brand's growth and its contribution to the legal cannabis market.

The store's emphasis on education, inclusivity, and design has been featured in multiple articles, showcasing its commitment to providing a safe and informed shopping experience for all customers. Additionally, the partnership with House of Cannabis (THC NYC) has been noted as an innovative approach to combining cultural experiences with cannabis retail.

In January 2024, Green Market Report covered the announcement of The Travel Agency's new store in Brooklyn. This expansion marks a significant step for the brand, with the new location operating under a licensing deal with GMDSS LLC, another CAURD licensee. The report highlighted the supportive role The Travel Agency will play and the potential benefits of its brand equity for the new store.

In September 2023, actor and comedian Amy Sedaris served as a guest budtender at The Travel Agency Union Square. Sedaris, known for her humorous and quirky personality, interacted with customers and highlighted the store’s mission. She praised the shop's initiative of supporting The Doe Fund and emphasized the importance of women-run businesses in the cannabis industry. Her participation brought significant attention to the dispensary and its social impact efforts.

In January 2024, Brooklyn Paper reported on The Travel Agency's plans to open a new dispensary in Downtown Brooklyn, highlighting the company’s growth and its ongoing mission to support justice-impacted individuals.