These 3 NY Dispensaries Are Setting the Bar High in 2025

How Secret Garden 716, Cannavita, and FingerLakes Cannabis Company Are Shaping New York’s Cannabis Future Through Community, Culture, and Care

BUFFALO, NY, UNITED STATES, July 16, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As New York’s cannabis landscape matures, a new wave of dispensaries is emerging—not only to meet demand, but to elevate the retail experience entirely. These shops aren’t just compliant; they’re creative. They don’t just serve communities—they build them. In 2025, three standout dispensaries—Secret Garden 716, Cannavita, and FingerLakes Cannabis Company—are setting new benchmarks for what cannabis retail can be. Here’s how they’re redefining the game.


Secret Garden 716 – Rooted in Buffalo, Powered by Community
In the heart of Buffalo, Secret Garden 716 is more than a dispensary—it’s a local movement grounded in authenticity, compassion, and legacy. Founded by William Curry, the shop draws its name from a family brainstorm and a classic story about hidden beauty. True to its name, the Secret Garden offers something deeper: a cannabis experience built on trust and real-life expertise.

Curry, who previously ran the beloved Wing City Smokes, couldn’t carry the same name into the regulated market, but he brought the same values. His team is made up of former growers, vendors, and experienced consumers who know the plant inside and out. Rather than push high-ticket items, they guide customers toward what fits their needs and budget. Whether it’s a $23 eighth or a premium option, customers are treated with care and transparency.

Local loyalty runs deep here. Secret Garden stocks New York-grown favorites like SkyWorld, Splash, and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. High, putting small brands on the same shelves as more established names. And their community presence goes far beyond cannabis—handing out water at events, organizing the annual 716 Day celebration, and offering real value-adds like free 510 batteries and waived DutchiePay fees.

As Buffalo’s cannabis scene heats up, Secret Garden 716 is staying grounded in what matters: people, purpose, and local pride.


Cannavita – Art, Wellness, and Cannabis in Perfect Harmony
Over in Astoria, Cannavita is redefining the dispensary model by combining cannabis with cultural curation and wellness-forward thinking. Born from a hospitality background, the founders—former family restaurant operators—infused their dispensary with warmth, creativity, and a deep sense of community connection.

Cannavita, meaning “life of cannabis,” operates out of a beautifully repurposed bank building, where high ceilings and gallery walls set the tone for something truly unique. Every week, local artists are invited to display and sell their work, while spoken word, music performances, and wellness activations turn Cannavita into a social destination.

But the atmosphere is only part of the story. The Cannavita team takes a highly intentional approach to product selection. Staff members regularly sample inventory and provide input, ensuring that everything on the shelves—from vapes to tinctures—serves a clear purpose. Many products cater to wellness concerns such as anxiety, women’s health, or chronic pain, reflecting the shop’s broader mission to treat cannabis as a tool for living well.

Cannavita also makes a point to support New York legacy brands, sustainable producers, and social justice efforts, including partnerships with groups like the Last Prisoner Project. Recognized by Time Out New York as one of the city’s top dispensaries, Cannavita is a reminder that cannabis can be more than retail—it can be a cultural cornerstone.


FingerLakes Cannabis Company – A Train Car, a Dream, and a Whole Lot of Heart
In Victor, NY, a one-of-a-kind dispensary is drawing attention not just for its products, but for its personality. FingerLakes Cannabis Company (FLX Canna Co.), founded by longtime friends Tim Hay and Mark Byassee, operates out of a restored train car—a nod to nostalgia and a symbol of local pride.

But this dispensary isn’t just about vintage vibes. Attached to the historic depot is a 2,000-square-foot event space with a deck, fire pits, and a stage, where live music, yoga classes, and community fundraisers regularly bring locals together. One such event raised $5,000 for the Victor-Farmington Food Cupboard—enough to stock shelves for an entire month.

Inside the shop, customers are greeted with a cozy, “country apothecary” aesthetic and a knowledgeable, tight-knit staff. Hay’s son Tanner manages the store, and the team’s unity is unmatched—they haven’t lost a single employee since opening.

Their product curation emphasizes small, local cultivators over multi-state operators. Flower from brands like 6 Point Cannabis moves fast, with weekly updates to keep offerings fresh and engaging. Customer demographics skew older, often seeking relief from chronic conditions, and FLX staff take their time to listen and advise with genuine care.

With expansion on the horizon, Hay and Byassee remain focused on growing responsibly and sustainably, proving that cannabis can be both local and forward-thinking.


Setting the Bar with Heart and Hustle
In a competitive and often unpredictable cannabis market, Secret Garden 716, Cannavita, and FingerLakes Cannabis Company show that staying true to your roots—and your community—can be the ultimate business advantage. Whether it’s through inclusive pricing, immersive art events, or small-town hospitality, these three dispensaries aren’t just keeping up in 2025—they’re leading the way.

New York’s cannabis future is here, and it looks a lot like this: thoughtful, grounded, and powered by people who care.

Mark Ross
Dispenza
+1 702-420-7272
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