And the fall season begins

Fall might be my favorite time of the year. The year begins to wind down, the weather starts to turn, new restaurants, stores, movies, plays, and books are abundant, and Thanksgiving is an added bonus. Every Labor Day, I like to reflect on the past year. Although we are no longer on the “school” vacation schedule, we have lived it so long that it is still reflected in our lives.

My post-COVID life has been exhilarating. I might be turning 63 this year, but I have a lot of energy and love building things. Having an idea, bringing it to fruition, and then seeing it evolve with more structure using data and thinking about our connection with the consumer at Gotham, the store where culture meets cannabis, has been a major part of my last year. I couldn’t be happier with all of it. Gotham will be part of the new stores this year, opening in Hudson NY this week at 260 Warren Street, the Refinery at Domino in Williamsburg at 300 Kent will be open on September 26 (and possibly before), and 146 10th Avenue sometime in December.

At the Public Housing Community Fund we have made major strives building a board, an advisory board, and making an impact in the lives of NYCHA residents working with organizations to run swim programs, rebuilding parks, amplifying the importance of art through internships and residencies, almost 100 CUNY scholarships, and much more. We are a conduit where our only mission is to impact the over 500,000 residents of public housing.

After all these years, 63 of them, and shit load of therapy, has my head in a place that feels good. I am still playing and working hard because that is who I am. It has been a fun summer and a great year so far, and I am hoping for more fun, excitement, breaking more glass, a female President, more time with our kids, travel, impact, and, of course, checking out what is the new new – after all of this I am still the Gotham Gal.