AYR Wellness Expands Footprint in Ohio and Florida with New Dispensaries
AYR Wellness Inc., a leading U.S. multi-state cannabis operator, has recently broadened its retail presence by inaugurating new dispensaries in Ohio and Florida. These strategic expansions underscore the company’s commitment to enhancing access to medical cannabis and optimizing its operations across key markets.
Pioneering Medical Cannabis in Miami
On February 12, 2025, AYR Wellness announced the opening of AYR Cannabis Dispensary Miami-Midtown, marking a significant milestone as the first medical cannabis dispensary within Miami’s city limits. Situated at 3160 N. Miami Ave, the dispensary is strategically located near the historic Miami Design District and the Wynwood Walls Street Art Museum. This prime location is the culmination of nearly five years of planning and development. The facility features seven point-of-sale stations and offers both street and garage parking to ensure a seamless shopping experience for patients.
This Miami-Midtown location becomes AYR’s 67th dispensary in Florida, reflecting the company’s robust expansion strategy in the state. George DeNardo, President of AYR, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “We are thrilled to start the year with the opening of our newest dispensaries in two key markets – Florida and Ohio.” He further highlighted the significance of the Miami-Midtown location as an industry-first within the city limits.
Strengthening Presence in Ohio
In addition to its Florida expansion, AYR Wellness has bolstered its footprint in Ohio with the opening of AYR Cannabis Dispensary Niles. Located at 1212 Youngstown Warren Rd, Niles, OH, this dispensary is conveniently situated along U.S. Route 422, serving customers in the greater Youngstown–Warren metropolitan area and beyond. The new location is equipped with ample parking space, a dedicated check-out line for medical patients, and offers a diverse product selection, including house brands such as kynd, Later Days, and HZ.
The Niles dispensary represents AYR’s fourth store in Ohio, with plans to open an additional four dispensaries throughout the year. DeNardo emphasized the company’s commitment to the Ohio market, stating, “Our retail expansion continues in Ohio with the Niles location, the fourth AYR store in the state, and we have plans to open an additional four dispensaries throughout the year.”
Strategic Operational Adjustments
As part of its efforts to drive efficiency improvements across its core retail footprint, AYR Wellness has made the strategic decision to close its Key West, Florida dispensary. The company cited challenges in managing the location from a supply chain standpoint as a key factor in this decision. DeNardo commented on this move, stating, “We also made the strategic decision to close our Key West, Florida dispensary, which was difficult to manage from a supply chain standpoint, as part of an effort to drive efficiency improvements across our core retail footprint.”
Looking Ahead
AYR Wellness’s recent expansions in Ohio and Florida are indicative of the company’s strategic focus on strengthening its presence in key markets. The opening of the Miami-Midtown dispensary not only sets a precedent as the first medical cannabis dispensary within Miami’s city limits but also reinforces AYR’s dedication to providing accessible, high-quality cannabis products to patients.
Similarly, the Niles, Ohio dispensary enhances AYR’s ability to serve a broader patient base in the state, with further expansions anticipated in the coming months. These developments align with AYR’s overarching goal of deepening its commitment to customers and patients, as DeNardo noted, “We are proud to deepen our commitment to customers and patients in Florida and Ohio and look forward to extending our exceptional customer service and high-quality products and brands to an even broader patient and customer base.”
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, AYR Wellness’s proactive approach to expansion and operational efficiency positions the company to meet the growing demand for medical cannabis services across the United States.