A new business is putting down roots in Hastings, and community leaders say it’s another sign of
continued investment in the city.
Green 2 Go Dispensary officially celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, June 11, bringing together city officials, Chamber representatives, local businesses, and community members.
KDWA spoke with Green 2 Go co-owner David Benowitz, who said the project has been years in the making.
David Benowitz says, “We’ve been open since November of 2025; we’ve been in the community for 50 years, actually. This building has been multiple businesses, but for the last decade it’s been pretty much empty, used as a storage facility. So, about two years ago, we had the idea of turning this into a retail store for cannabis, as Minnesota was going to be passing it, to be legal in another state.”
Benowitz says the process involved working through state regulations and partnering with industry
professionals to prepare the business for opening. The retail space occupies about 900 square feet and is designed to provide customers with a comfortable shopping experience.
General Manager Jennifer Silber says Green 2 Go offers a variety of cannabis and wellness products.
Jennifer Silber explained, “Besides the cannabis flower, we also have pre-rolls. We’re working heavily every day right now. We have vapes; we’re gonna hopefully get some wax, and we also offer gummies, CBD lotions, and anything that’s a non-THC cannabinoid we also offer because there’s a lot of healing products in cannabis.”
Silber says customer education is a priority for the business, especially for first-time visitors who may have questions about available products.
Jennifer Silber confirmed, “Absolutely, and we also are the only place allowed in he’s taking to sell glass. There was an ordinance put into place in 2006 that stopped that, but because of the nature of our business, we are allowed to do that.”
The dispensary is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with Sunday hours ending at 6 p.m. in accordance with city regulations.
For Silber, the ribbon-cutting ceremony represented more than just a business milestone.
Jennifer Silber says, “It’s incredible.”
Benowitz echoed that sentiment, saying the support from the community and local government has been instrumental throughout the process.
David Benowitz says, “It’s been really fun to see everyone come out and support us, from the city to the chamber to a lot of local businesses and some partners that we work with. So it’s pretty cool that the mayor and city planners and city council, everyone we worked with over the past two years to get this up to what you see today, has been a really fun experience, and to see everyone come together today and make it a reality is a pretty special moment and event.”
The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce was also on hand for the celebration. Chamber President Kristy Barse says ribbon cuttings recognize businesses that are investing in the future of Hastings.
Kristy Barse says, “They’re important for the city of Hastings because it’s celebrating our businesses reinvesting in the community. So, whenever a business chooses to come to Hastings, or if they’re making an expansion or just an upgrade to their building, it’s something that we want to celebrate. It’s a huge expense, and it shows their commitment to our community. So, this is a celebration of new investment from our business side into the community of Hastings and just a great way to bring exposure to our business community.”
Green 2 Go Dispensary is now serving customers in Hastings and joins a growing list of businesses investing in the city’s future.
[Click the soundbite to listen to the report.]