4th pot shop in city plans April opening
The Healing Center revamps building on River Street
FITCHBURG » The Healing Center at 346 River St. will be the fourth cannabis dispensary in the city when its doors open to customers in April.
Co-owners Danielle de Benedictis and Paul Ferazzi will be offering in-person shopping as well as online ordering and curbside pick up of recreational marijuana at their adult-use cannabis retail store.
“We have been happy to work collaboratively with the City of Fitchburg, particularly its Planning Board, in our efforts to open what we consider to be the most attractive, state-ofthe-art cannabis retail store in Fitchburg,” de Benedictis said. “We look forward to rebuilding Fitchburg’s once-dominant economic base and being an active part of the revitalization of the city.”
The blue-green hued building that used to be a Cumberland Farms has been completely revamped with an updated interior that boasts clean, modern lines, light-filled spaces, and nods to its home city.
“We have adapted the interi
or of our store to the history of Fitchburg by having a local artist create a large wall mural abstractly depicting the (Nashua) River and greenery of the city and by obtaining a large, antique grinding wheel reminiscent of Fitchburg’s mill history for our reception area,” de Benedictis said.
According to City Councilorat-Large Sam Squailia, who recently toured the dispensary, the city has approved eight marijuana dispensaries for operation and as such all of the licenses available are spoken for. There are currently three dispensaries in operation — THC
joins Atlantic Medical Partners, Ethos and Local Roots.
“We will source and provide to the Fitchburg community and beyond a wide selection of the freshest cannabis products at competitive prices to enhance and enrich people’s lives, and provide them with a welcome respite from the daily problems we all face in light of COVID,” de Benedictis said.
The store is fully compliant with COVID-19 regulations and protocols, including directional arrows on the floor. THC staff have been sweeping and maintaining the sidewalks under
neath the nearby train bridge in order to ensure safe pedestrian travel to the facility.
They also plan to beautify and maintain the traffic island in the roundabout in front of the shop and
dedicate it to Henri Dextraze, a lifelong resident of Fitchburg and a Marine Corps veteran who served as Ward 2 Councilor for 16 years.
“Mr. Dextraze was a true lover of the city and supporter of its beautification,” de Benedictis said.
For de Benedictis, the dedication of the roundabout to the World War II
Marines Corps’ veteran comes from a very personal place — her father, Maj. Daniel de Benedictis, was a World War II Marine hero who was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor at Guadalcanal.
“When he died at age 97 he was one of the last living survivors of Guadalcanal and the Marines had just honored him at their 100th anniversary celebration in Boston,” de Benedictis said of her father. “Thus, there is a lot of synergy for us at THC in honoring Mr. Dextraze. I have always led my life following the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, and we intend to extend that fidelity to our relationship with the City of Fitchburg.”
The Healing Center will
be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, follow The Healing Center
MA on Facebook and Instagram.
For updates text THCMA to 844-319-5345.