Jeremy Rivera’s Terp Bros in Queens is built different.
Jeremy, founder and operator of Terp Bros, the number one retail dispensary in Queens, Rivera’s journey is one of rare transformation. Once a self-described gang member and three-time predicate felon, he turned his life around after prison, built a successful career in construction, and left it all behind to pursue legal cannabis.
“When I came out of prison, I got myself into a good career in construction, and I left that to do this,” Rivera says. “So cannabis is all I have. It’s the responsibility I have to so many of my employees to make sure that we’re doing the right thing and we’re keeping these doors open.”
That sense of responsibility extends beyond his team—it’s rooted in the community Terp Bros serves. Located in a densely packed small business zone in Queens, the dispensary was intentional about building trust from day one.
“When we came to the area, we spoke to the neighboring businesses and we introduced ourselves,” he explains. “We kept an open-door policy while we were in build-out so that people in the community could stop by and ask us questions. We wanted them to know our faces and meet who we are as people.”
For Rivera, it’s not just about being compliant—it’s about being present. That presence shows up in everything Terp Bros does, from its customer service to its carefully tiered menu.
“We keep our menu eligible for anybody in any financial bracket to buy,” Rivera says. “We have economical, we have base, and we have premium. We have enough selections that people in each category can afford to buy something of quality.”
The dispensary’s inclusive model and grassroots ethos are a direct reflection of Rivera’s mindset: hustle-driven, community-grounded, and always looking ahead.
“I’m a natural born hustler. I know how to sell things, right? So this is my niche. Retail is my niche,” he adds. “The test is the test of time. What’s separating you from all the other dispensaries? What makes you stand out?”
The answer, for Rivera, lies in grit and consistency.
“It’s not easy, but I don’t think anybody ever said it was,” he says. “Life hasn’t been easy for me or for many people in positions like myself. So we’re always pivoting, always fighting, and always reaching for the top.”
That commitment is paying off. Terp Bros has become a staple in Queens, not only for its product selection but for its presence as a Black- and Latino-owned business paving the way in New York’s evolving legal market.
“It all depends on how hard you’re willing to work and how far you’re willing to push yourself,” Rivera reflects. “Chop it up with Terp Bros. If you’re ever in Queens, come through. You already know the deal.”
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📍 Find Jeremy Rivera featured in Honeysuckle’s 22nd print edition.
Follow @terpbros.nyc and visit the shop in Queens to experience the difference.
