A local Jewish family-owned business, Curio Wellness recently opened a new Far & Dotter dispensary in Pikesville.
Owned and operated by father and daughter team Michael and Wendy Bronfein, Curio has four locations in Maryland and Mississippi, including its new dispensary at 1852 Reisterstown Road.
For Wendy Bronfein, Curio’s co-founder and chief brand officer, the cannabis industry has always been about more than just business — it’s personal. Bronfein, a longtime Pikesville resident, says she and her team are helping redefine what cannabis retail can look and feel like.
Jmore recently caught up with Bronfein to talk about how Curio and Far & Dotter blend medical cannabis, wellness culture and community roots, all with a nod to its “Tokin’ Jew” paraphernalia and an unwavering commitment to quality of life for consumers.
What was the original inspiration behind Curio Wellness and Far & Dotter?
Curio started as a nights and weekends project. We got involved around the time medical cannabis legislation passed in Maryland in 2014.
By 2016, we were cultivating and manufacturing in Timonium. The idea was always to focus on cannabis as a quality of life enhancer, something to help people with real issues, especially around mental health. We believe in the plant’s active ingredients and their benefit to patients.
What does Far & Dotter mean?
It’s Swedish for ‘Father and Daughter,’ which reflects the personal story behind Curio’s founding. But it also speaks to the kind of place we’re building: multi-generational, welcoming and focused on care.
Whether you’re a curious first-timer or a long-time patient, Far & Dotter is made for you.
What makes Far & Dotter different from a typical dispensary?
We’ve always wanted to offer something unexpected. We asked ourselves, ‘Would this feel welcoming to soccer moms or grandmas?’ And the answer had to be yes.
From the retail side, our model brings transparency — our first store has windows and sits in a high-traffic area to feel open and accessible. We offer not only cannabis but non-cannabis wellness products and services like spa treatments and consultations with licensed practitioners. It’s a modern approach, more about lifestyle and personality than just cannabis.
Why open a location in Pikesville now?
This was the perfect place. It merges both my personal story — I’m from Pikesville — and my father’s upbringing in Randallstown as he and I co-founded this business together. So, in a way, this store serves the communities that shaped us.
From a retail standpoint, Reisterstown Road is great for visibility and access. Plus, Pikesville’s clientele is already tuned into wellness, and we’re offering an alternative to things like alcohol or over-the-counter medications.
How are you hoping to shape the industry and public perception through Far & Dotter?
We take a thought leadership approach. In the beginning, it was about establishing credibility, being a company that people didn’t expect in this space. Now, it’s about redefining cannabis retail history. We’re aspirational but accessible. Our updated tagline is ‘Made for Wellbeing,’ and we don’t lean into cannabis clichés. It’s important to us to be accepted by community stakeholders, medical professionals and policymakers, from local boards to federal conversations. We spend time in D.C. advocating on all levels.
What is the in-store experience like for new customers?
We really meet people where they are. Customers can shop online from their phones, order at a kiosk in-store, or talk one-on-one with an employee.
We offer free consultations, both in person and through telehealth, with Dr. Nina Fergus, our clinical director and a licensed pharmacist. We also have a dual rewards program: one through the store, and another through QR codes on Curio products. We want people to feel supported at every step.
What kinds of customers are coming in?
The median age is mid-40s and older, people who are curious and health-conscious. Many are looking for stress relief or support with sleep or anxiety, and they prefer something plant-based over prescription drugs or alcohol. There’s less stigma now, and more people are open to cannabis as part of a general wellness lifestyle.
What’s next for Far & Dotter?
We’re expanding! We already own two dispensaries in Maryland and have just opened another location in Mississippi. Each store follows a standardized layout and wellness-forward concept. And we’re rebranding our product portfolio this June — new names, new packaging, and some seasonal offerings like Pride-themed pre-rolls.
For information, visit fardotter.com.
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