The East Village is no stranger to reinvention. From punk rock dives to avant-garde art spaces, the neighborhood thrives on cultural collisions, fresh ideas, and the kind of gritty authenticity that only New York can offer. Now, it’s adding a new chapter to its ever-evolving narrative: The Flowery East Village, the latest expansion of the beloved cannabis brand, has officially opened its doors.

For Sean Maguire, the owner behind this exciting new venture, it’s more than just a business—it’s a homecoming. A familiar face in the East Village, Maguire’s roots run deep in the area. He first came to the neighborhood as a student, attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. As a bartender, he fell in love with the area’s energy, its community vibe, and the sense of connection that thrives between local businesses and their patrons. It’s that same sense of community that Maguire is now channeling into his new cannabis retail space, The Flowery East Village.

“I’ve been here ever since.” Maguire shares. “It felt natural to bring this new venture here.”

From Bars to Buds
Before stepping into the world of cannabis, Maguire was already a seasoned entrepreneur with several successful bars under his belt, including 310 Bowery Bar, East Point, Downtime, and 82 Stanton. His foray into cannabis may seem like a pivot, but for Maguire, it’s a natural evolution. He sees parallels between running a bar and running a cannabis store—both require building a loyal community, creating a welcoming environment, and understanding customer needs.

Having built relationships with the Flowery team through events and mutual connections, Maguire knew he had found the right partner to bring his vision to life. The Flowery, which already has a strong presence in Florida, provided the expertise and mentorship Maguire needed as he ventured into the cannabis industry. It wasn’t just a business partnership—it was a big brother guiding a newcomer through the complex world of cannabis retail.

“I knew about the Flowery from their Florida locations.” Maguire says. “I was introduced to them through friends, and as I started to think about opening my own shop, it just made sense to work with a team that had experience in the industry.”

Challenges on the Road to Opening
Opening a cannabis store in New York City, especially amid the city’s regulatory challenges, is no easy feat. Maguire’s journey began in September 2023 when he secured his provisional license. From there, the process of finding the perfect location, signing a lease, and navigating the complex licensing requirements took much longer than he had anticipated.

“We ended up paying around a quarter of a million dollars in rent before we even opened the doors.” Maguire reveals. The high costs of operating in Manhattan, combined with the hurdles of working with the Office of Cannabis Management, created significant pressure for Maguire and his team. But despite the setbacks, his passion for the East Village kept him focused.

“The delays were frustrating, but I always knew that once we opened, it would be worth it.” he says.

What Sets The Flowery Apart
What makes The Flowery East Village stand out in an already crowded cannabis market is its dedication to quality products, excellent customer service, and a focus on creating a unique experience for the community. Maguire has always been a fan of the culture surrounding cannabis, using it for creativity and relaxation, and he aims to offer a space where others can enjoy the same.

Maguire also hopes to see a future where the cannabis industry in New York becomes more streamlined, with fewer regulatory hurdles and smoother banking processes. But he remains hopeful that the industry will eventually find its footing as more stores open and the infrastructure continues to improve.

Looking Ahead
The grand opening of The Flowery East Village is just the beginning for Maguire. While he’s focused on getting his first store running smoothly, he’s already thinking about the future and potential expansions. 

As for his loyal customers from the bar world, Maguire couldn’t be more grateful for their support. “Yeah, there’s a crossover. I think a lot of my customers and employees at the bars are tired of hearing me talk about it. They've been talking about it for almost three years, but now I could get to finally invite them here to see what I've been working on. And they've been really helpful and really supportive. And the grand opening, everyone stopped in. I really was really appreciative of everyone from the bar stopping in.”

With a passion for hospitality, a love for the East Village, and a commitment to building community, Maguire is ready to make his mark in New York’s cannabis scene—and the neighborhood is here for it.