“The cannabis market will be like liquor stores in the future,” says Rinkesh Shethiya, owner of ZenZest Dispensary, located in Queens and Staten Island. In other words, shoppers will embrace a substance that was once prohibited, making purchases without any stigma attached to it.
It is already happening, as New York’s legal cannabis market continues to grow and expand. “Today, cannabis consumers aren’t just looking for the closest store,” says Shethiya. “They’re searching for the best combination of quality, service, and value.”
ZenZest delivers that.
ZenZest has built its reputation on offering a premium dispensary experience, designed for customers who value high standards. “Our shop looks like an Apple Store layout,” he says. “It’s a clean design; not overwhelming.” There are no large brand advertisements. It is a modern space with a carefully curated product menu. “ZenZest feels more like a luxury retail boutique than a typical dispensary,” he says. “Everything is laid out neatly.”
This menu includes products such as premium cannabis flowers, live resin and distillate vapes, infused pre-rolls, solvent-less concentrates, hash rosin gummies, edibles, and high-potency cannabis products. “All products are sourced through New York’s regulated cannabis system, giving customers confidence that every item is legal, lab-tested, and compliant,” says Shethiya. Shopping here also means being treated with respect,” he says. “We go the extra mile for everyone. We find them the product they need. First-time users are educated.” It all makes for an enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere, and that translates into a pleasant shopping experience for everyone.
Just as important, “The products we bring in are all tried and curated,” he says. “If an employee doesn’t like the product, we don’t bring it into the store. We have to be proud of what we sell our customers.” Many people come in for medicinal purposes. Some suffer with cancer. Others can’t sleep. Joint pain is another common issue. There are topical ointments that can help. If you don’t like smoking, there are tablets, gummies, and mixes. “You name it, we have it,” he says. “People can consume in different ways.”
ZenZest also offers something unique – a loyalty program. Customers earn points every time they shop, and earn discounts on future purchases. “We always have unmatched deals,” says Shethiya. “We are probably the most competitive dispensary in New York.” In that competitive market, ZenZest has separated itself by focusing on consistency, quality, and customer experience. It is not just another dispensary on the map. As a result, this approach has built long-term trust with new customers and experienced shoppers.
The name ZenZest was chosen to reflect the dispensary’s philosophy: cannabis should bring balance, but it should also bring enjoyment. The “zen” part represents calm, clarity, and peace. “It’s the feeling many customers look for when they shop for wellness-focused cannabis, he says. “Zest” represents energy, the spark of life. “It’s the uplifting side of the cannabis experience.” Together, ZenZest stands for a more elevated approach to cannabis. “It blends relaxation with lifestyle, and wellness with premium quality,” he says.
ZenZest opened its Queens location September 2024, and its Staten Island location, April 2025. As the Queens location is right on the Nassau border, it is convenient for Nassau County residents looking for a trusted dispensary as it is near Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Garden City, Elmont, and Valley Stream. A third ZenZest location is expected to open in Suffolk county in the near future.
ZenZest [27206 Union Turnpike in Queens, (718) 865-1464, www.ZenZest.com]. Open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, 9 am – midnight; Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9 am – 2 am; and Sundays, 9 am – 10 pm.
ZenZest [2343 Forest Ave., Store #3 in Staten Island (718) 889-0240, www.ZenZest.com]. Open
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 9 am – 10 pm; Fridays and Saturdays until 11 pm; and Sundays, 9 am – 8 pm.