Budega NYC: Where Culture Meets Cannabis

On a sunny afternoon in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Budega NYC hums with a steady rhythm. Customers filter in and out, greeted warmly at the door, often by the owners themselves. The store feels more like a boutique than a dispensary, with a nod to culture, intentional design, and a calm, elevated atmosphere. It’s a place where conversations are encouraged, questions are welcomed, and everyone leaves feeling more like a neighbor than a transaction.

That sense of care is no accident. It’s the vision of two native New Yorkers, Alex Norman and Louis W. Colon III, who poured their own stories, struggles, and successes into the space.

Alex, a first-generation Cuban-American, grew up across the Upper West Side, Queens, and Brooklyn. Cannabis has been part of his life for nearly twenty years, first as a cultivator and delivery operator, then as an advocate, and now as a licensed dispensary owner. Years ago, a cannabis conviction weighed heavily on his shoulders, but today, that qualified him for New York’s CAURD program, which puts those most impacted by past cannabis-related charges at the front of the legal market.

Alex’s brother-in-law, Louis, a Bed-Stuy native, carved his own path in fashion and culture, running multimillion-dollar sneaker ventures and creating brands that helped define New York streetwear. Together, Alex and Louis form an unexpected but undeniable team, blending experience, vision, and passion.

“Our partnership is a good chocolate-and-peanut-butter mix,” Louis tells Bleu. “Two very different things, but when it comes together, it blends really well.”

What sets Budega NYC apart is that blend of expertise and vision. Alex curates licensed, regulated products from New York cultivators, choosing strains based on decades of experience. Louis elevates the store into a lifestyle experience with thoughtful design, merch drops, and marketing savvy honed over years in retail.

Budega NYC is more than a smoke shop. “It’s the experience, and the feeling when you leave that keeps people coming back,” says Louis. Customers are never rushed, guided by knowledgeable, approachable budtenders, and can explore at their own pace with the help of two iPads near the entrance.

The most powerful part of Budega NYC’s mission is what happens beyond sales. Alex and Louis are using their platform to advocate for justice and wellness. They’re currently working on hosting expungement seminars, connecting people with attorneys to help with cannabis convictions, something Alex knows the weight of firsthand.

The duo is also partnering with mental health professionals to provide education about responsible use. “Cannabis can help with stress, anxiety, and depression, but it’s not that simple,” Alex says. “For some people, it can mask deeper problems. We want to connect customers with professionals who can help them understand whether cannabis is right for them.”

For Alex and Louis, the store is all about dedication and community focus. Their connection to the neighborhood is evident in every detail, from the warm greetings at the door to playful initiatives like merchandise drops for dog owners, a nod to Park Slope’s pet-friendly streets.

Even the name of their business reflects the city: “Bodegas are the most common experience for every New Yorker,” Louis explains. “They’re your neighborhood shop, rooted in entrepreneurial and immigrant spirit. Everyone has a bodega story.”

“Being native New Yorkers makes it easy for us to engage with people,” Alex says. “Budega NYC isn’t just about cannabis. It’s about culture, lifestyle, and creating something lasting for the city we love.”