By Krystle J Bailey
On Friday, Sept. 1, Brute’s Roots owners Kelly Gatto and Jim DiNatale will celebrate their long-awaited grand opening. The local couple opened their doors on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township for medical marijuana sales in May of this year. Following a 26-month delay in application approvals, Kelly and Jimmy finally received their recreational licensing in April, and they’ve been full-speed ahead at their cultivation facility since in anticipation of Friday’s grand opening.
Both Atlantic County natives, Kelly and Jim, applied for the license in 2019. Caught in the mix of an appellate court delay, their application was frozen, along with hundreds of others awaiting their fate in the New Jersey cannabis industry. This April, when Brute’s Roots gained approval, plants went into the ground right away, and this fall, they look forward to bringing their homegrown cannabis to the local market.
As they enjoyed the fruits of their first harvest, Kelly and Jim, along with their cultivation team, shared their vision for the future of Brute’s Roots.
“I am excited to bring more affordable products to the state and excited for this new venture,” shares Alex Mog, director of cultivation.
CEO and co-owner Jim DiNatale echoes the sentiment, explaining that they intend to reach a unique market of people with affordable, attainable cannabis for the consumer who doesn’t necessarily want designer-level cannabis but wants to purchase from the legal New Jersey market. Higher-end strains and wholesale products are also available in their Egg Harbor Township dispensary, with the goal of providing cannabis for everyone in a comfortable and convenient environment.
With their approved manufacturing license in place, the Brute’s Roots team looks forward to bringing a custom line of edibles to the market using their sun-grown flower and the expertise of Manufacturing Supervisor and extractor Alec Bassen.
“I’ve been extracting for nine years,” shares Bassen. “I’m excited about bringing full spectrum extracts, concentrates, vapes, and edible products to New Jersey, where we are using single-sourced material. Everything is sourced in-house.”
Bassen goes on to explain that the unique outdoor growing environments at Brute’s Roots cultivation facility offer sun-grown products that are higher in terpenes and flavonoids, resulting in higher-quality digestible cannabis products than indoor plants.
The New Jersey-based cultivation facility is currently awaiting the arrival of all necessary equipment, with plans to be in full production by January 2024. The 15,000-square-foot facility is beautifully renovated to accommodate production goals and create a streamlined system that produces an abundance of high-quality cannabis.
Following the grand opening event, Brute’s Roots Dispensary will be open for both medical and recreational purchases, with designated hours and kiosks for medical patients only. Orders can be placed on their website at brutesroots.com but must be paid for and picked up in-store.
The Friday grand opening will include a ribbon cutting, live music by Goodman Fiske, giveaways, a chance to win Phillies tickets, food from Vagabond, and more. Stop by 6206 Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township beginning at 11 a.m. to meet the team and learn more about Brute’s Roots.
Krystle J Bailey is a published author, multimedia journalist, copywriter, and content creator. She is a regular Shore Local columnist and digital contributor as well as the booking agent and co-host of the radio show Joe’s Table for Two on WOND. Krystle can be reached at KrystleJBailey@gmail.com
