RPG Designs & Builds First Medical Marijuana Dispensary in New York City

January 8, 2016 | By Business Wire News

NEW YORK

RPG, a New York City-based design and build firm, created an entirely new retail concept for New York’s fist medical marijuana dispensary for Columbia Care LLC. The firm was selected to design and build a branded experience for ten medical marijuana dispensaries, starting with a flagship location in Manhattan’s Union Square, which was unveiled to the public yesterday.

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The environment RPG designed and constructed showcases a groundbreaking retail concept that’s unique in the burgeoning category. Intended to go beyond institutional standards, the design establishes a new aesthetic for the face of medical marijuana in the United States. The dispensary serves as a beautiful, contemporary environment that welcomes patients with the highest standards of professionalism, care and education in medical marijuana.

“RPG is thrilled to apply our retail design and manufacturing expertise to Columbia Care’s groundbreaking vision for medical marijuana dispensaries. Columbia Care’s high standards of professionalism and industry leadership provides an optimal opportunity for RPG to do our best work,” said Bruce E. Teitelbaum, CEO of RPG.

Sometimes, great success rises from unexpected opportunities, especially when given the opportunity to explore new territory for a completely new concept. This is exactly what happened when medical marijuana industry pioneer Columbia Care hired RPG to brand, design, and build ten dispensaries.

The opening of New York’s first medical marijuana dispensary has been making headlines for Columbia Care not just for its first-to-market status, but also for the contemporary, comfortable environment of the retail space designed and created 360 degrees by the team at RPG.

“RPG took Columbia Care’s vision to create a consistent but unique patient experience by balancing our compassion, medical mission and connection with one of nature’s most powerful medicines. Their collaborative approach resulted in a design and final product that exceeded our expectations. Columbia Care will continue to value its relationship with RPG and looks forward to expanding this partnership nationally,” remarked Nicholas Vita, CEO of Columbia Care.

Columbia Care’s new flagship, located at 212 East 14^th Street in the bustling Union Square locale of Greenwich Village, was designed and built with great care and attention to detail. The space utilizes wood, marble, bronze and white finishes that not only appeal to patients, pharmacists and consultants, but also satisfy all Department of Health and New York state protocol and security mandates.

Unexpected touches, such as soft lighting and a combination of 20^th century modern and custom-designed furniture, welcome patients into Columbia Care. Seating vignettes provide social opportunities and foster a sense of community while a central communal table provides a comfortable spot for patients to have one-on-one consultations with pharmacists. The new pharmacy also features large format photography along the length of the space using images that convey the beauty and wellness properties of various cannabis plants.

Each patient is empowered with education and information via visuals, videos and tablets, all geared at removing the stigma commonly associated with medical marijuana while bringing the highest standards of professionalism and dignity to therapy.

About RPG

RPG, a global firm with headquarters in New York City, designs, develops and manufactures displays, fixtures and retail environments in a wide range of categories, both mass and prestige. With 25 years of continued success, RPG builds original retail experiences, cultivates successful partnerships and pioneers new markets. Uncompromising creativity and quality are top priority. We seamlessly translate brand values into experiences, maintaining a steadfast commitment to quality and innovation in design, development and manufacturing.

RPG prioritizes customer service, excellent standards, competitive pricing and speed-to-market through our global offices and manufacturing facilities. We are a team of designers, engineers, project managers, marketers, manufacturers and consumers who understand the importance of ensuring that brands are easy-to-shop and prominent. It is RPG’s business to raise the bar and offer innovative solutions and ROI to our clients. For more information, visit us at www.rpg57.com.