By Chad Neal
High Times magazine awarded Star Buds in Colorado and now there is a local branch opening near you. Star Buds opened in 2013 in the Rocky Mountain State and now starting in October other high end and quality cannabis products will be available in Buffalo at Star Buds dispensary, owned by Nick Pitillo and Ed Gurbacki – who also own Osteria 166in Buffalo and Villaggio in Ellicottville. These two successful entrepreneurs have secured a New York State license to peddle cannabis and all the products that come from the marijuana plant. Star Buds has stores in a handful of states and Jamaica and now one in Buffalo that will soon be open to the public. Star Buds is located at 396 Kenmore Ave. in Buffalo in a 1,600 square foot facility.
Pitillo and Gurbacki are hiring staff and seek knowledgeable bud-tenders as they have many different products to choose from for your heady delight. Choosing which vehicle to bring the satisfying THC into your body may be a tough decision as they offer many different kinds of flower (weed, bud, smoke, ganja, hoomoddy-foddy, grass). Strains which consist of indica, sativa and hybrids will be ready for the euphoria seeking connoisseur of the aromatic plant. Along with the smokeable marijuana they will offer high quality products like many kinds of edibles, vapes and cartridges, oils and waxes all of which will be presented and explained by the highly qualified associates working there.
They have a curated product list that features selections from many local companies including Bison Botanics, House of Sacco, Dent Neurological Institute, Lions Mane, and Rural Resurgence among others. And a drive thru window will be available for established clientele to receive orders they’ve placed online.
In a press release sent to the Villager Pitillo is quoted saying “This is an exciting new opportunity for us”, noting that he has been pursuing licensing and the right location for the dispensary for the past three years. “We’re thrilled with our location and what we will be able to offer customers, in terms of both quality and convenience. Most of all, we’re grateful and excited to open and continue serving the people of our community in another way.”
Pitillo, who grew up in Ellicottville has over 40 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry as his parents owned a popular establishment – The Rusty Nail in his youth, and he was the first employee at Madigan’s in 1981 when they opened. With that background and wisdom he is bringing the same culture and experienced-focused philosophy to Star Buds that he uses at his restaurants. In the press release Pitillo said, “from the day we opened Osteria 166 in 2013 and Villggio in 2015, we have always been about making people feel welcome. I believe the quality of your products can speak for itself, but if your service doesn’t match that same quality, you’ve missed your opportunity. We hope our hospitality and service approach helps set us apart.”
Pitillo’s partner Ed Gurbacki said, “There are a lot of people who are curious or don’t know much about the new legal cannabis industry, so they are intimidated to walk into a dispensary, we want them to feel at ease. Our team will be ready to answer all of their questions and help educate customers on what products best fit what they are looking for.”
Pitillo’s sister Kim will also be alongside him and Gurbacki as the General Manager of Star Buds and his longtime friend Dexter Chow-Yuk will be the assistant manager of the retail store. “Family, community and quality have always been the foundation of what we do,” Pitillo said adding, “This is our home. We live here, we’re investing here, and we want our local businesses, at the restaurants and at Star Buds to be successful in a way that serves and benefits our community.”
An official date for the opening will be set soon and the official operating hours as they plan to be open seven days a week. For more information check out their website www.starbuds.us/newyork.