GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE – Another Italian Herbs location has sprouted up on the Strip in Geneva-on-the-Lake.
The original Italian Herbs, a family-owned and operated medical and recreational cannabis dispensary, opened up in 2023 on West Prospect Road in Saybrook.
Now about three years later, the new, additional location debuted July 3 in Geneva-on-the-Lake.
“We’ve been wanting to be on Geneva-on-the-Lake since we opened the Saybrook store,” general manager Jess Laurello said. “That was one of our applications when we originally applied. So, when we got a second license, we met and we decided it was a natural fit. This location was already identified as one that will allow for a cannabis dispensary, and the local municipality’s been super welcoming and supportive of us putting this up.”
The new Italian Herbs dispensary is located in the art deco-inspired “Smiley Plaza” at 5316 Lake Rd. E., Unit B, and serves medical and recreational adult-use customers.
“We have everything from THC seltzers to what you would normally see like flower or pre-rolls, but we also have a variety of edibles as well, so something for kind of any consumption type that a user might have,” Laurello said.
Laurello said business has been pretty good since opening earlier this month. She noted the GOTL location is Ohio’s only “almost lakefront dispensary.”
“We’re not quite on the lake, but you’ve got a good view of the lake when you exit,” she said.
There is also a drive-through in the back.
Inside, the black and white tile floor is complimented by bold colors in the lobby and on the sales floor. The counter on the sales floor has mirrors in a funhouse style that reflect the title floor while a red swirly-shaped geometric ceiling fixture with hanging pendant lights can be seen above.
The playfulness is not a mistake – it’s a nod to the vacation destination that is GOTL.
“This is supposed to be our brand on vacation,” Laurello said.
There’s also some unique touches.
Old banners from the Walter Main Circus from the Jennie Munger Gregory Memorial Museum can be found on the walls on the sales floor. Laurello thought the dispensary was good for the preservation of the banners since it’s temperature-controlled with no direct sunlight.
The village of GOTL stands to benefit financially from the new Italian Herbs dispensary, which Laurello said is a great opportunity for the municipality.
According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio municipalities and townships get 36 percent of the 10-percent state excise tax that is collected on adult-use cannabis sales in their borders.
There are about 10 full-time staff at the GOTL location, plus some staff that is shared from the Italian Herbs dispensary in Saybrook.
The GOTL location is open six days a week. It’s closed Tuesdays, and open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Laurello said the owners of the plaza plan to develop the rest of the parcel and fill an empty space in the plaza beside the dispensary.
