The Artist Tree contributed $20,000 to cover the cost of original murals at its second Fresno location near Shaw and Valentine avenues. Photo via Artist Tree

One of the first cannabis dispensaries to open in the City of Fresno is getting ready to unveil its second location.

The Artist Tree announced the opening of a new location in Fresno with a launch date of Friday July 18.

An official ribbon cutting for the new store, located at 3257 W. Shaw Ave., Suite 109, will take place on July 25 at 10 a.m. with a grand opening scheduled July 26 from noon to 6 pm.

The 3,000 square foot retail showroom off of Valentine Avenue in a shopping center anchored by Food Maxx will feature the same high-end fixtures, top shelf products and art-gallery like atmosphere found in other Artist Tree locations, according to a news release.

The Artist Tree has a total of 10 stores in California, including the Fresno stores.

The grand opening celebration will include a DJ, photo booth, Big Pete’s Treats baking non-infused cookies on site, and popular brands including Sluggers, Wyld, Alien Labs, and WeedMaps.

The first 100 people to visit the store on July 26 will be entered to win a $500 gift card.

“We’re so excited and grateful to have the opportunity to open a second location in the city of Fresno,” said The Artist Tree founder Lauren Fontein. “Since opening our first Fresno store in 2022, the Fresno community has embraced our welcoming, creative and communal ethos. Our new location will help us better serve residents in central and southern Fresno while providing the same curated product selection and dedicated customer service as our current store.” 

The Artist Tree’s opening art exhibit will feature works by local Fresno artists Jamie Roberts, Jakob Jimenez and Amanda Gutierrez.

The new store is co-owned by the Artist Tree’s founding team and Fresno locals Lawrence Artenian and Daniel Kopfman.

It’s the second new Fresno dispensary to open in a two-week span. On July 7, the Beyond Rooted dispensary opened at 845 E. Belmont Ave. at Fulton Street. Owned by Isaac Fonseca, with backing from Valley native and former MLB pitcher Matt Garza.

As part of the City of Fresno’s cannabis social equity program Beyond Rooted LLC was the recipient of a $75,000 loan to fund startup and operation costs.

From July 26 to Aug. 9, the Artist Tree will also be hosting a back to school drive at both of their Fresno locations. Customers are encouraged to bring in unused backpacks, pencils and various supplies and in exchange will receive a pre-selected cannabis product for one penny.

The Artist Tree partners with numerous local nonprofits and funds community benefits programs, including the Fresno Arts Council’s Art Haven program for unhoused residents, the Boys & Girls Club of Fresno County, Camp Kesem at Fresno State, Valley Teen Ranch and Central California Food Bank.

“Working with the community to provide these two beautiful murals is aligned with our mission to support local artists and give back to our neighbors,” said Fontein. “The Artist Tree is happy to have made a $20,000 donation to cover the cost of the murals, which included paying the artist a fair wage for their work on the murals. We hope these beautiful murals bring joy to every person who walks or drives by them.”