Binghamton’s First Drive-Up Cannabis Shop to Open Soon

A former A&W Restaurant on Court Street in Binghamton will be getting a new life as a legal marijuana retail business.

New York state paid for the renovation work at the building on the city's East Side. The state has plans to develop 150 "turn-key sites" for cannabis dispensaries across New York.

Signs have been placed at the site advising the "Cotton Mouth Dispensary" is "coming soon."

The state Cannabis Control Board has advised the city of Binghamton that Sol Greenery LLC has applied for a license to operate the shop at 439 Court Street.

Mayor Jared Kraham said the city was given 30 days to submit comments or concerns to the agency about the applicant. He said there appeared to be no issues that would suggest a license should not be granted for the business.

An attorney representing the proposed the licensee did not return calls from WNBF News seeking comment.

A few Binghamton residents - including the owners of the house several feet away from the drive-up window - expressed some concerns about the marijuana shop.

Despite some opposition, the city planning commission gave its approval for the proposed business.

The property has been idle since the A&W Restaurant closed in February 2018. The fast-food business was built on the site of the old Parisi's Twin Freeze.

Manjot Dhillon owns the property. He said he's "glad" there'll once again be a business at the site which could create several jobs.

Dhillon doesn't know when the new shop will open but he said he expects it could become operational in December.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.