When Dank 716 opened on Main Street in July 2023, it marked a milestone for Western New York. After months of delays surrounding New York’s adult-use rollout, owner Aaron Van Camp finally received approval to open what became the region’s first licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary.
For nearly two years, Dank 716 wasn’t simply another dispensary, it was the legal cannabis market in Buffalo. Now, that chapter is coming to a close. In December 2025, Van Camp announced the business would close, citing increasing competition and changing market conditions. On its face, the story sounds like one business shutting its doors. It isn’t. It’s the story of a market entering its next phase.
Being First Is Different Than Being Established
When Dank 716 opened, consumers had few legal options. Product availability was inconsistent. The state’s licensing process was still evolving, and many prospective retailers remained tied up in litigation or awaiting approval. As New York’s rollout accelerated, that advantage disappeared. More dispensaries opened across Western New York. Consumers gained more choices. Pricing became more competitive. What was once a destination business became one option among many.cThat’s not a sign the industry is failing. It’s a sign the market is maturing.
The Numbers Tell an Interesting Story
What’s easy to overlook is that Dank 716 was successful.
During its first year, the company generated approximately $9.4 million in revenue, paid roughly $3 million in taxes, and reported more than $1 million in profit-strong numbers for a retailer operating during one of the most uncertain periods in New York’s cannabis rollout. Those aren’t the numbers of a business that never found customers. They’re the numbers of a business that experienced the unique economics of being first.
A Business Decision, Not a Collapse
Van Camp has consistently framed the decision as a business decision, not a failure. Speaking with local media, he pointed to increasing competition, changing analytics across the state, and broader challenges facing downtown Buffalo.
“We’ve seen analytics for other parts of the state and just various numbers. It just wasn’t working out as it used to be.”
Perhaps more telling was how he described the company’s legacy, a perspective that deserves attention:
“We truly consider ourselves to be a success story of the CAURD program. We did well here. We’re not leaving on horrible terms. We’re happy—we’re leaving on our own terms.”
Too often, we measure businesses only by whether they continue operating. But pioneering businesses often create value that extends beyond their own balance sheet. Dank 716 proved that Western New York would support a legal cannabis market. It introduced thousands of consumers to regulated cannabis and helped establish confidence in licensed retail at a time when the industry was still finding its footing.
The Next Challenge
The question facing Buffalo’s cannabis industry has changed.
Two years ago it was:
Will consumers buy legal cannabis?
Today it’s:
Why should they choose your dispensary instead of the one five minutes away?
As the market becomes more competitive, success will depend less on simply holding a license and more on execution—customer experience, merchandising, product assortment, education, operational efficiency, and building a brand people intentionally return to. Those are the characteristics that define mature retail markets. Cannabis is no different.
The Bottom Line
Every industry has pioneers. They often don’t remain the biggest players. But they’re often the reason the market exists in the first place. Whether or not Dank 716’s storefront remains open, its place in Buffalo’s cannabis history is secure. Aaron was willing to say what he actually thought—even when it wasn’t the popular opinion.
On a personal note, I’ll miss Aaron’s refreshingly honest perspective (and, his occasionally ornery attitude 😉). In an world that often rewards polished talking points over candid truths, Aaron never seemed interested in telling people what they wanted to hear. He told them what he believed. Whether you agreed with him or not.
