Star Buds Opens for Business

Local dispensary open seven days a week

Nick Pitillo and Ed Gurbacki, owners of popular restaurants Osteria 166 in Buffalo and Villaggio in Ellicottville, were joined by local officials and eager customers this morning to celebrate the Grand Opening of Star Buds (License # OCM-CAURD-24-000204), Buffalo’s newest New York State licensed cannabis dispensary. Star Buds is located at 396 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo.

“Getting here has been a long journey,” said Pitillo, noting that he and Gurbacki first began pursuing a license for the business more than two years ago. “We have invested more than $1.2 million so far just to get ready to open. We’ve hired 25 local workers, who will be the best cannabis consultants in the region. We’re excited for this new venture and the opportunity to finally welcome and serve our customers.”

Star Buds received final approval from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management earlier this week. Over the last several months, Pitillo and Gurbacki have been overseeing the interior build-out of the 1,600-square-foot dispensary, which, fittingly, given Pitillo’s more than 40 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, is located inside a former fast food restaurant space.

Star Buds will offer a wide variety of high-quality cannabis products including several strains of flower, multiple types of edibles, vapes and cartridges, topicals, oils and waxes, all presented and explained by highly knowledgeable cannabis consultants. The dispensary’s curated product list will feature selections from many local companies, such as Bison Botanics, House of Sacci, Dent Neurologic Institute, Lions Mane, and Rural Resurgence, among others. Star Buds will also feature a drive-up window where established customers will be able to receive orders placed online.

Nick Pitillo (owner), Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney of the New York State Cannabis Control Board, and New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes

Pitillo gave special recognition to New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, who led the effort to legalize marijuana in New York.

“We would not be here, investing and opening a small business and creating local jobs, without Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes’ strength and leadership on this issue,” Pitillo told those gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony immediately before Star Buds officially opened for business.

“Congratulations to Nick and the entire Star Buds team,” Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes said. “I am thrilled to see more legal cannabis-related businesses open their doors.”

Pitillo said that opening Osteria 166 downtown 11 years ago gave him a front-row seat to watch and to be a part of Buffalo’s renaissance. He views Star Buds as another way to continue that momentum through investment and job creation. He also sees a natural connection between his businesses.

“Service is what we know and do best. It’s who we are,” he said. “At the restaurants, our team is trained to know the menu so they can answer questions and make informed recommendations when people ask. That’s the same philosophy we have at Star Buds. If people are unsure about what products are best suited for their individual tastes and needs, our team of cannabis consultants will take the time to make them feel comfortable and at ease and answer their questions so they have the best experience possible.”

In addition to Pitillo and Gurbacki, the Star Buds leadership team includes General Manager Kim Pitillo and Assistant General Manager Dexter Chow-Yuk.

Star Buds is open seven days a week. Dispensary hours are Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.starbuds.us/newyork.