The Company Behind the Counter: Inside Village Brands Dispensary
It started with a grandmother named Viola. She was living with glaucoma and high blood pressure, and her grandson—a former NBA player who suited up for the Denver Nuggets—was convinced cannabis could help. She resisted at first. Most people from her generation did. But when she finally tried it, the change came almost instantly. That moment, equal parts personal and powerful, became the seed for everything that followed.
Al Harrington and Dan founded Viola Brands in 2011, naming it after that same grandmother. What began as a mission to serve people facing cancer and HIV grew into something far larger—a brand committed to building generational wealth in Black and brown communities while delivering quality cannabis people could trust. We carry that same spirit into everything we do today.
From a Single Idea to a Multi-State Presence
By 2011, the first sales were rolling in, and the focus was clear: help patients first. From there, the brand expanded into Colorado’s recreational market, then moved into Oregon, and kept building momentum. Since 2020, the brand has launched in more than twelve different markets, including Canada. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when product quality and community purpose stay locked together.
In 2019, Dan created Village Brands Dispensary. The original concept centered on acquiring licenses in limited-market states, which laid the foundation for our retail operations. The name came from a simple truth: it takes a village to raise a child. We saw big corporations entering the cannabis space without genuinely connecting to the people they were serving. We wanted to do the opposite—be multi-state in reach but always “home to you” in feel. Today, you’ll find Viola Brands products stocked proudly on our shelves, keeping the original family legacy alive inside every location.
Not Your Ordinary Flower Shop
We like to say we’re “Not Your Ordinary Flower Shop,” and we mean it. As a weed dispensary serving Broadview, IL & Hoboken, NJ, we approach retail with a level of care that sets us apart. Every item that earns a spot on our menu has been carefully curated based on quality and the experience it delivers. We don’t just fill shelves—we build a selection worth coming back for.
Whether you’re a seasoned consumer who knows exactly what you want or a newcomer figuring out where to start, we built our spaces to welcome you. From locals exploring their neighborhood to industry insiders and loyal Knicks fans stopping by, everyone gets the same warm, knowledgeable treatment. We’re a trusted hub for connection, education, and quality—not just a place to make a purchase.
Here’s what guides the way we operate across New Jersey & Missouri:
- Quality first: We evaluate every product for potency, consistency, and the overall experience before it ever reaches the menu.
- Community focus: We see ourselves as part of the neighborhood, not separate from it, and we invest in the people who walk through our doors.
- Education over pressure: Our team takes the time to answer questions, explain options, and help you make confident choices.
- Inclusive by design: Everyone deserves a comfortable, judgment-free space to explore cannabis.
How We Curate and Serve
Our methodology is straightforward but intentional. We start by vetting cultivators and producers, prioritizing partners whose standards match our own. From there, we test for the qualities that matter—flavor, effect, freshness, and reliability. Only the products that clear that bar make it to our customers. This careful process means you can shop with us knowing the guesswork has already been handled.
Beyond the menu itself, we focus on making your visit seamless. The applications of a well-run dispensary go far beyond the transaction. Consider the ways our approach shows up day to day:
- Guided discovery: Customers new to cannabis can lean on our staff to navigate categories, formats, and dosing.
- Wellness support: Following Viola’s founding mission, we help people exploring cannabis for comfort and relief.
- Lifestyle connection: For experienced users, we offer a thoughtfully selected lineup that reflects culture, craft, and innovation.
- Local pride: We celebrate the communities we serve, building a genuine sense of belonging.
Village Brands Dispensary is more than a storefront. It’s a lifestyle brand built on a foundation of family, community, and quality—rooted in Viola’s story and carried forward in every market we touch. When you choose us, you’re choosing a company that treats cannabis as culture worth honoring and customers as neighbors worth knowing. That’s the village we’ve built, and we’re glad you’re part of it.
