ROOT’D IN THE 510

Behind a wall in the back corner lies a massive space that CEO Rickey McCullough and co-founder Daniel Chung are working hard to transform into one of the East Bay’s largest consumption lounges.

EXPLORING THIS EASTBAY ASPIRING WONDERLAND

OAKLAND The Temescal neighborhood of North Oakland used to be designated as ‘Little Italy’ – where Italian immigrants once flocked to work in sanitation and construction. Nowadays, however, it’s one of the most lively neighborhoods in the larger Bay Area, featuring dozens of restaurants, buzzing bars and more recently, a lofty Cannabis retail space called Root’d in the 510.

Favorites like Alien Labs, Ember Valley and Raw Garden are popular grabs, and the wellness bar has all the body products and bath bombs you need to really relax. But there’s more than meets the eye going on at this dispensary: Behind a wall in the back corner lies a massive space that McCullough and co-founder Daniel Chung are working hard to transform into one of the East Bay’s largest consumption lounges. I got a sneak peek at the space (which is currently under construction) and can honestly report that it’s going to be epic. Once the time is right, a door within the dispensary will lead directly into this space – a wonderland complete with

UPON WALKING into Root’d, you’re private rooms, a sweeping bar serving immediately greeted with a SoCal-style infused beverages, equipment rentals for design that awes the senses – so much so special shared seshes, plenty of games that it was recently written up in Architectur- and activities, and much more. There are al Digest. Painted a clean, gentle cream up plans for karaoke nights, private events to the bowstring rafters and letting in lots and brand demos, as well as large-format of that signature Oaktown sunshine, this movie screenings. These exciting extras will airy dispo is much larger than some of the make the Root’d lounge more than some shops prior to adult-use legalization. sexy smoke-friendly banquette that many

It has serious LA vibes with sleek display ‘lounges’ are at their core. And as many cases and a centralized retail hub that of Cali’s attempts at Cannabis hospitality makes navigating the hundreds of brands, have been stymied by regulations, the crew strains and products a breezy browse (as at Root’d is taking a unique approach to opposed to the gate-kept, bank teller scenario that some shops providing food onsite: enlisting some of the many local and still deploy). renowned restaurants to coordinate delivery. Why compete

These aesthetics are right in line with the warm demeanor and with local favorites when you can work together instead? friendly, open personality of the shop’s co-founder and CEO, Until this enormous, gorgeous Rickey McCullough. consumption lounge opens (by the

As a Black man who grew up in the area, McCullough lived end of the year, the partners say), the under decades of injustice and mismanagement of city resourc- dispensary portion of the location es – including policing. This context is why Oakland is more will have to do … but honestly, that’s likely than other California cities to take active steps to make plenty. With a full selection and an amends for its past. It’s also part of the thread that led him innovative plan for expansion, Root’d to eventually standing in City Hall holding an honest-to-god is more than some new, flashy spot lottery ball with the winning digits for a license; he was an equity on the main drag of a busy area – license applicant, petitioning for a retail operating business after it’s a symbol of an even brighter future for all Cannabis-loving a long tenure at Oakland’s Harborside. Oaklanders. But even more importantly than that, it’s a BI-

Root’d stocks all of the classics and has a few of the most POC-owned and proudly visible space in a burgeoning industry popular strains, pre-rolls, and edibles ready to go for customers that needs all the varying perspectives it can get, in order to looking for a quick find with high quality. keep busting down the status quo.

Root’d co-founder and CEO Ricky McCullough, Capital Partner Damien McKinney, and Co-founder Daniel Chung ROOT’D IN THE 510

4444 TELEGRAPH AVE, OAKLAND, CA 12PM-9:30PM DAILY ROOTD510.COM @ROOTD510 (510) 488-1148