More Than Cannabis: Treehouse Builds Community in Nyack

There’s a particular kind of joy you get as a customer when walking into a local establishment where everyone feels like family. Something that makes you say to yourself, “Wow, these people actually care.” It is that feeling, that “vibe,” which has made Treehouse Cannabis of Nyack a rapidly growing local institution.

With New York’s first legal dispensaries only beginning to roll out in Rockland County in 2024, the industry is still very much in its infancy. Two years later, however, Treehouse’s growing customer base seems to have already made up its mind: this place is becoming something more than just a dispensary.

Seth Marks, Founder and CEO, tells me the Village of Nyack deserves a tremendous amount of credit for helping his organization get off the ground. He credits Village Administrator Andy Stewart and his team, saying they “were so friendly, supportive, and made sure we were setting ourselves up for success.” In many ways, it appears to have been a win-win relationship. In only a few short years, Treehouse has become the single largest tax contributor to the Village of Nyack, underscoring both the organization’s growth and the impact it has had on the local community.

As customers strolled throughout the store, I asked Steven, Head of Marketing, what he thought made Treehouse different from the hundreds of dispensaries now dotting New York. “The community we created,” he replied.

He wants potential customers to understand that Treehouse isn’t a smoke shop—it’s an elevated experience.

It’s one thing to have cannabis be illicit and roll up to a dealer for your purchase. It’s another to walk into a space where you’re greeted with smiles and warm, positive energy. The products are fresh, tested for purity, and customers are treated like family.

But perhaps the biggest difference is education.

Steven throws an interesting question at me as we walk around the store: “What actually is the cannabis plant?” Most folks think, “THC and weed.” In reality, there is so much consumers and even longtime users, don’t know about the plant.

That is where Treehouse’s Budtender network comes into play.

Unlike many dispensaries where the interaction ends at the register, Treehouse encourages customers to build relationships with their Budtenders. Have a question about a product? Experiencing something unexpected? Trying to determine whether a gummy, tincture, or flower is right for you? Customers can call or text their favorite Budtender directly.

In an era where customer service often means waiting on hold or speaking to a chatbot, Treehouse has taken a decidedly old-school approach: connecting people with actual people.

For first-time consumers, that can be invaluable.

Cannabis can be intimidating. Questions about dosage, terpenes, cannabinoids, and effects can quickly become overwhelming. The Treehouse team wants customers to know they don’t have to figure it out alone.

That educational mission extends beyond the four walls of the dispensary. Treehouse regularly hosts pop-up events featuring major cannabis brands, allowing customers to learn directly from the people behind the products. A typical event lasts several hours and combines education with community engagement. Steven and his team are constantly listening to what their local customer base is asking for and bringing those brands directly to Nyack.

One notable recent event featured the cannabis brand Dog Walkers, with proceeds benefiting the Hudson Valley Humane Society. Dog owners showed up in support, brought their pets, and many even picked up CBD products to help calm anxious pups ahead of the Fourth of July fireworks. Others have included a massive 30 ft screen for a NY Knicks watch party, and a boisterous 4/20 celebration. They are currently preparing a large two-year anniversary party which will take place in August.

The company’s website has also become an extension of that educational philosophy. Visit TreehouseCannabis.com and you’ll find more than a menu. Customers can browse their favorite Budtenders, learn about their top strain recommendations, and discover staff picks. It’s another small touch that reinforces the idea that Treehouse isn’t simply selling products, it’s building relationships.

Perhaps the biggest indication of the community’s support for Treehouse can be found in its delivery operation.

Nick, dispatcher and operations manager for the fleet, tells me they deliver in rain, sleet, and snow.

“This isn’t just where we go,” he says. “It’s where our customer base lives. It just shows you how loyal so many of our customers are.”

On some days, the team makes as many as 70 deliveries.

But the size of Treehouse’s delivery operation only tells part of the story. For some customers, having Treehouse come to them isn’t simply about convenience. The team tells me they regularly deliver to seniors who no longer drive, people recovering from surgery, busy parents and customers with mobility challenges who might otherwise have difficulty getting to the dispensary. The service stretches throughout Rockland County and into parts of Orange and Westchester Counties, bringing the same licensed, tested products to customers who may live farther away or lack reliable transportation.

And much like inside the store, those interactions have started to become personal. Treehouse says many customers see the same drivers week after week, and some who live alone have even told the team they look forward to the familiar face and brief conversation that comes with their order. Others have never actually stepped foot inside the Nyack dispensary but know the staff, recognize their drivers and consider themselves part of the Treehouse community. In that sense, delivery has become something more than getting a product from point A to point B. It has allowed the community Treehouse built inside its walls to extend all the way to a customer’s front door.

As I got ready to leave, I asked Steven what’s next for Treehouse. How do they continue evolving while maintaining their community focus? He tells me about the recent launch of Treehouse Lifestyle, a new venture designed to bring the Treehouse experience beyond the borders of Nyack. The platform offers nationwide shipping on industry-leading cannabis accessories and other lifestyle products. Considering some customers regularly drive upwards of three hours to visit their favorite dispensary, Treehouse Lifestyle feels like a natural next step, one that further reinforces the brand, and its commitment to staying connected with its growing community no matter where they live.

I think back to Steven’s words: they’re building a community space.

And after spending an afternoon with the Treehouse family, I have to say, I couldn’t agree more.