Corner House brings boutique cannabis experience to Ulysses

The first dispensary to open up shop in the town of Ulysses will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 20, alongside partners from the Trumansburg Chamber of Commerce. 

The cheekily named “Corner House” has been operating since the end of April, offering a variety of locally sourced cannabis products. The dispensary, located at 1708 Trumansburg Rd., focuses on craftsmanship, community building and cannabis education. 

“We are very much approaching this business with the perspective that we’re running a family-owned and operated business,” said Joan Friedman, who co-owns The Corner House with her husband, Josh Friedman. “Josh is on site seven days a week. I am on site in the evenings and on the weekends, as much as I can be. I do more of the compliance, finances and human resources aspects of the business.”

Joan said that she wants customers to feel like they are getting specialized attention from staff. She said that is an advantage of The Corner House being a small business, as opposed to an established chain dispensary. 

“We do look at it as a positive way for us to feel like we’ve created a right-sized business for the town of Ulysses,” she said. “Josh and I approached opening this business to set ourselves apart in the sense that we are on site a lot. We are paying very close attention to the details, and we really want to make sure that all kinds of customers are comfortable walking in the door.”

Joan said that the couple wants to be accommodating of different types of clientele — experienced cannabis users and neophytes alike.

“We want people who are very familiar with the products and have a history of using them to feel like they can find high quality, legal, safe products with us that they enjoy,” she noted. “And then, we also very much want to appeal to people for whom this might be a first order, early experience with cannabis, and those might possibly be folks who are more interested in products such as drinks or other edibles or concentrates.”

Attention to detail in customer service, Joan said, is also key at The Corner House. 

“We want to be a space where, when [customers] walk in, if they have questions and want some guidance, we want them to feel 100% certain that they’re going to get small-store, small-town type of attention,” Joan said. 

For Josh Friedman, the dispensary should honor its name. 

“We hope the space feels warm and cozy — like visiting an old friend’s house,” he said. Josh led the construction and build-out of The Corner House. “Our goal was to preserve the building’s original charm and create a boutique-style dispensary with a legacy feel — something timeless, relaxed and inviting. From the moment you walk in, it should feel like stepping into someone’s living room.” 

The shop offers a curated selection of lab-tested cannabis products, including flower, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates, vapes and tinctures, alongside gifts and artisan wares. It proudly prioritizes Finger Lakes–based farmers, with products sourced from Tompkins County, Canandaigua, Fredonia and Cortland. This regional focus celebrates the creativity, quality and sustainability of local producers.

The interior showcases a dedication to local craftsmanship: Scott Ponton from Barnwood Addicts built custom cabinetry using reclaimed barnwood; artist Denise Milito of CeCe & Lulu created a vibrant, colorful mosaic window; and a striking mural by Craig Radnitz greets guests in the entry vestibule.

In addition to cannabis, The Corner House features an expanding collection of crafts, gifts and locally made glassware — including an ongoing partnership with Three Trees Studio in Hector. Every detail, from product selection to design, reflects a deep connection to the Finger Lakes area.

Whether it’s your first visit to a dispensary or you’re a regular, the team at The Corner House is here to make you feel at home.

The Corner House is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ulysses Connection appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com. Contact Eddie Velazquez at edvel37@gmail.com.

In brief:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued the following public service announcement about the local snake population in the town of Ulysses’ weekly newsletter.  

“Snakes assist with pest control by preying on insects, rodents, and other small animals, helping prevent the need to use potentially harmful chemicals such as insecticides and rodenticides. These chemicals can harm the target species as well as non-target wildlife, including humans.

“Smaller, more widespread snake species, such as eastern garter, northern brown, and smooth green snakes, consume pests such as slugs, caterpillars, and other invertebrates that can be damaging to garden produce and ornamentals. Larger species with more restricted distributions, such as ratsnake and copperhead, ambush and consume their fair share of rodents that can otherwise be a detriment to our homes and living spaces.  

“Armed with this information, the next time you happen upon one of our states’ seventeen species of native snakes while working or relaxing in your backyard space, consider simply observing from a distance rather than reacting in fear. Take a moment to appreciate the value that our state’s legless vertebrate friends embody in relation to the natural environment and share this perspective with family and friends.   

Note that all native snakes are protected by law in New York State (Environmental Conservation Law and NYCRR Title 6, Section 3.3).  If you’re unsure about the species of a snake you’ve encountered, check out the snake identification chart on the DEC website or contact your regional DEC wildlife office.”