Cannabis Entrepreneur Acquires Former Bank in Dayton for New Dispensary
A former Key Bank branch building on Patterson Road in Dayton has been sold for nearly $2 million and is set to become a certified cannabis dispensary.
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Zach Weprin, a partner in Certified Cultivators, an Ohio-certified Level 1 cannabis cultivator and processor, confirmed plans to open the company’s second dispensary and its first location in Dayton.
“It’s going to be a certified dispensary,” Weprin said. “We’re excited to expand into the Dayton community.”
A Growing Presence in Ohio
The new dispensary will mirror the company’s existing location in South Euclid near Cleveland, which features a drive-through service. The Dayton store is expected to open in approximately six months and employ about 30 full-time staff. Planned hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
Weprin, who grew up in nearby Oakwood, has long been familiar with the area. “I’ve been driving past that building for 35 years,” he noted. The site will feature a drive-through lane and more than 40 parking spaces.
In addition to dispensaries, Certified Cultivators operates a cannabis cultivation and processing lab on Springfield Street in Dayton.
Purchase Details and Location
The building, located at 951 Patterson Road, was purchased by 951 Patterson LLC, a limited liability company affiliated with Weprin. Montgomery County records show the $1.9 million sale was finalized on December 17.
The location is near Dayton’s borders with Oakwood and Kettering and sits across from Leora, an addiction and mental health treatment center. However, Weprin assured the dispensary complies with Ohio’s state rules requiring cannabis businesses to be at least 500 feet from such facilities.
“It’s far enough away, and you can’t even see it,” he said.
A Personal Connection to Cannabis
Weprin’s interest in cannabis stems from personal experience. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 12, he credits cannabis with helping manage his condition.
“We strongly believe in the medical benefits of cannabis and look forward to serving the Dayton community,” he said.
From Sushi to Cannabis
Weprin is also well-known locally as a co-founder of Fusian, a chain of fast-casual sushi restaurants, which he launched alongside Stephan Harman and his brother, Josh Weprin.
However, his focus has shifted entirely to the cannabis industry. Certified Cultivators was among the first businesses to receive a Level 1 license for medical marijuana cultivation in Ohio in 2018. With this license, the company can operate up to 25,000 square feet of growing space for cannabis.
In addition to cultivation, the company produces cannabis products such as oils, edibles, capsules, and lotions. It is one of approximately 30 licensed cannabis growing facilities in Ohio.
Repurposing the Former Bank
The former Key Bank branch was closed in 2021 as part of a consolidation effort. Key Bank merged its 951 Patterson and 20 W. Whipp Road locations into a new branch at 4401 Far Hills Avenue in Kettering.
Now, the building is set for a new chapter, transforming into a dispensary that will offer cannabis products to Dayton residents while supporting Ohio’s growing medical marijuana industry.
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