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DENVER — A marijuana dispensary could be moving into Denver's Bonnie Brae neighborhood and some residents said they didn't find out until it was too late.
The Wash Park Boutique dispensary would be located at 747 S. University Boulevard, in the same block as Bonnie Brae Ice Cream and The Campus Lounge. The city held a hearing earlier this month, but the decision will ultimately be up to the executive director of Denver's Department of Excise and License.
"It's not that they don't have a right to do it, they certainly have a right to do it," said Jane Herbst, a nearby resident. "It's just the placement of where it is."
Herbst said she is not only concerned about the location. She is disappointed in the notification process. She said she found out about the dispensary one day before the hearing, but was out of town and could not attend.
Tenicia Lowrie, the owner of the proposed dispensary, already owns other locations that go by the name Lucy Sky Cannabis Boutiques. She said she applied to purchase a license from A Cut Off the Top Dispensary, located at 2059 W. 9th Ave., and transferred it to the storefront located in Bonnie Brae. One of her existing dispensaries is half a mile away from that proposed location.
If the plans go forward, the new dispensary will open sometime in the spring. Lowrie said she is excited about the opportunity and looking forward to being part of the Bonnie Brae neighborhood.
A spokesperson for Denver's Department of Excise and License said the neighborhood organizations received proper notice. He said after the Nov. 9 hearing, members of the public had 10 days to file opposition statements.
"Maybe people are just hearing about it, I guess," said Tim McHugh, president of the Washington Park East Neighborhood Association.
McHugh said he first received notice on Sept. 24 and it was discussed during the association meeting last month. During that time, he didn't hear from anyone opposed to the plans.
"Somebody brought up the fact that it's in the neighborhood and fairly close to a church or school or where kids wait for the school bus, but then somebody else brought up the fact there's a liquor store and a Campus Lounge which sells alcohol right on the same block," McHugh said.