After a flurry of market shifts in Ohio, Klutch Cannabis is entering 2026 with significant momentum, headlined by the opening of one of its newest retail locations in Northfield Village. The new dispensary, located at 10650 Northfield Rd., is one of five Klutch storefronts and serves as a major milestone for the Akron-based company in its mission to bring premium cannabis to underserved communities of Northern Summit County.
We spoke with Pete Nischt, Vice President of Compliance and Communications for Klutch, about the company’s recent reorganization and how their new Northfield site—which sits directly across from the MGM Northfield Park casino—fits into their broader Ohio strategy.
Filling the Gap in Northern Summit County
Headquartered in Akron, Klutch has seen a huge expansion to their operations, but Nischt noted that the northern part of the county has long been a “cannabis desert.” The Northfield opening changes that, providing a local hub for residents of Northfield, Macedonia, Sagamore Hills, Hudson, and beyond. Among the municipalities that once held moratoriums, Nischt noted that the Klutch team worked with Northfield Village administrators to provide information that left them feeling comfortable lifting the ban and allowing for a dispensary.
“We love the Northfield location,” Nischt says. “In Summit County, all of the dispensaries were concentrated in and around Akron… with nothing to the north. These bigger communities didn’t have access to these products, either for medicine or for recreation. We’ve been looking at that area for years.”
The building itself is a point of pride for the team—a former drive-thru restaurant and bakery that has been transformed into a sleek, modern retail space.
“It was perfectly situated for us to install a cannabis drive-thru there,” Nischt explains. “It’s super convenient, plenty of parking… and the main thing people notice when they enter the lobby is a beautiful set of one-way windows that line the front of the store overlooking the casino. It looks great.”
Akron-Born and Expanded: A Second Cultivation Site
Even as they expand their retail footprint, Klutch is staying true to its roots. At their cultivation and processing hub in Akron, they just completed a major expansion last year. Klutch now operates two separate cultivation facilities—the original site and a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility located just five miles away.
“Our brand-new build is finally operating at full steam with room to grow… it’s a state-of-the-art facility using technology that wasn’t really rolled out anywhere else at the time that we finished it.”
This increased capacity ensures that fans of the Klutch, Cookies, Habitat, Josh D, and Kiva lines will see consistent supply across all locations, from their Klutch-branded stores in Lorain, Canton, Cleveland, Loudonville, and Northfield to other dispensaries where their products can be purchased across Ohio.
The Klutch Experience: Accessible and Dignified
As the market matures, Klutch is still focusing on removing the “intimidation factor” for new patients and customers while maintaining high standards for everyone who stops in to make a purchase.
“We want to be able to create a dignified, safe space where people can access these products and have those important conversations,” Nischt explains. “Klutch is a good melting pot. We’re really good at making a place for everybody in these retail spaces and making everybody feel comfortable.”
What to expect at the Northfield Location
- Drive-Thru Pickup: A seamless option for those who pre-order online.
- Medical Priority: Patients are prioritized in line and receive priority fulfillment.
- Flexible Payments: Options include CanPay, Dutchie Pay, cashless debut, and an on-site ATM.Klutch locations also accept credit card payment for non-cannabis merchandise and accessories.
- Standard Discounts: Veteran (30%) and Indigent (20%) discounts are available. Klutch also hosts Medical Patient discount days on Thursdays and Fridays, offering 25% off all cannabis products.
Looking into 2026: 6th Dispensary in Wellington
Recent store openings are just the beginning of a busy year. With five stores now active, Klutch is already preparing for its sixth dispensary location in Wellington.
Reflecting on the progress, Nischt is optimistic about the path forward. “We’re really, really pumped about 2026. We think it should be a great year. We’re putting our best foot forward for our customers and the communities that we work in, and we want to make those customers and communities proud.”
Learn more about Klutch products and view dispensary locations and menus at https://www.klutchcannabis.com
