For Pernell and Naheem Gross, contributing to the Peekskill community is a family affair.

The brothers in “budtending” at Valley Greens on Central Avenue are owners of the downtown event hub Red Door Creative Space; Pernell also partners with his grandmother Avis on their line of gourmet local jerk sauce, made with peppers from her own garden. Their business acumen is put to good use at Valley Greens, where they use their refined fluency conversing with varied clients, combined with personal product experience, in order to provide expert recommendations. Both self-described “cannabis enthusiasts,” they can understand, interpret, and communicate scientific botanical knowledge (“such as effects and cross strains,” Naheem explains) valuable to Valley Greens customers. 

“I was motivated to work at Valley Greens because it was the first cannabis dispensary in my town,” Pernell enthuses. “I felt I could be very valuable in my experience in cannabis with the community near and far. As a matter-of-fact, I just met an 89-year-old who hasn’t smoked since the 1960’s but is interested in it now because it’s legal, clean, and coming from a trustworthy place!” As with their other Peekskill events and organizations, the brothers treat their role at Valley Greens as a way to bring the community together and make Peekskill even more vibrant and flourishing. 

“I don’t mind having off-topic conversations with customers, just for them to get to know me better, and vice versa,” Naheem laughs. “This allows for transparency and honesty in our conversations, which in turn allows for better product recommendations.” This focus on customer experience and building a network of rapport makes Valley Greens a standout boutique model in the industry, a welcoming “third place” for cannabis enthusiasts in the greater Peekskill area, and beyond. For these community leaders, it’s a perfect fit.  

 

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