MetroBud’s story began with a simple yet ambitious idea: to provide New Yorkers with fast, reliable, and affordable cannabis delivery. What started as a humble storefront has now grown into one of NYC’s most trusted delivery services, but the road to get here was filled with both triumphs and challenges. Here’s a look at how MetroBud evolved from its first store on the Upper West Side to its current focus on delivery-only services, all while maintaining the same commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
The Birth of MetroBud: Our First Store on the Upper West Side
MetroBud opened its doors for the first time in 2021 with a small retail location on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The area was a perfect fit for our vision: a blend of young professionals, students, and progressive thinkers who were open to the idea of cannabis, but who needed a more accessible way to purchase. The goal was simple—offer a fast, friendly, and affordable way for people to buy their cannabis products.
At that time, the NYC cannabis market had limited access and relatively slow service. The demand for a reliable cannabis delivery service was clear, and MetroBud quickly became known for its efficiency and commitment to customer care. That small store on the Upper West Side marked the beginning of something much bigger.
Expanding to the Lower East Side and Williamsburg
As word spread about the quality and speed of our service, we saw an opportunity to expand. In 2022, we opened our second location on the Lower East Side, an area that was home to a mix of artists, hipsters, and young professionals—the perfect demographic for our growing brand. The neighborhood’s bohemian atmosphere and progressive community welcomed us, and the MetroBud name quickly gained recognition.
Not long after, we opened a third location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where the city’s creative and youthful energy mirrored our own entrepreneurial spirit. Williamsburg was rapidly becoming a hub for the arts and tech, with a population that embraced both innovation and cannabis culture. With our third location, MetroBud solidified its presence as a multi-location business, offering delivery and in-store services across three boroughs of NYC.
The Setback: The Impact of Operation Padlock
Unfortunately, MetroBud’s success was not without its obstacles. In 2024, during the NYPD’s Operation Padlock, our uptown and lower east side location was raided and shut down as part of the crackdown on unlicensed cannabis businesses. This was a devastating blow to the business, both financially and emotionally. The raid was part of a larger initiative that targeted the growing unlicensed cannabis industry in NYC, leaving businesses like MetroBud struggling to recover.
Despite the setback, we remained resilient. We understood the importance of adapting and pivoting in the face of adversity. Though the closure of the storefronts was hard, it only pushed us to focus on what we did best: fast and reliable cannabis delivery.
Pivoting to Delivery-Only: The Focus on What We Do Best
After the closure of our physical stores, we decided to pivot entirely to a delivery-only model, focusing on serving New Yorkers who needed fast, reliable cannabis at their doorstep. This decision allowed us to double down on what made MetroBud unique: our quick delivery times and commitment to quality.
We quickly saw the growth potential in focusing on delivery services, especially as cannabis culture in NYC continued to grow. More and more people were seeking the convenience of ordering cannabis online and having it delivered directly to their door. With MetroBud’s deep understanding of the local community, we were poised to meet that need.
Today, MetroBud serves all boroughs of NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, offering a range of products, from flower to vapes and edibles. We pride ourselves on our quick response times and customer-first approach, ensuring that every order is handled with care.
The Future of MetroBud: Growth and Expansion
As we look toward the future, MetroBud is focused on expanding our delivery network, continuing to build relationships with customers, and providing high-quality cannabis at affordable prices. While we’re no longer operating physical retail locations, we’re growing our online presence and enhancing the overall customer experience to make sure that when you think of cannabis delivery in NYC, you think of MetroBud.
We’re exploring new products, membership opportunities, and future partnerships to grow and expand our brand even further. The journey is far from over, and we remain as committed as ever to providing the best cannabis delivery service in New York City.
Thank You to Our Customers
Through all the challenges, setbacks, and triumphs, we’ve always been focused on one thing: our customers. MetroBud would not be where it is today without the trust and loyalty of the people we serve. We’re proud to be a part of your cannabis journey, and we’re excited to continue serving you in the future.
