Dispensary Comparison
Studio 57 NY vs FlynnStoned
Local curation vs volume retail. Two different approaches to cannabis on Staten Island.
Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned are two licensed cannabis dispensaries on Staten Island with fundamentally different approaches. Studio 57 NY is a community-rooted, curation-driven dispensary at 570 Midland Ave in Midland Beach. FlynnStoned takes a volume-first approach prioritizing inventory size and brand variety.
Overview
Local vs Corporate. Curation vs Volume.
Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned represent opposite ends of the dispensary spectrum. Studio 57 NY is a community-rooted shop that curates a focused selection of vetted products. FlynnStoned takes a volume-first approach, prioritizing inventory size and brand variety.
Neither approach is inherently wrong. But the experience of walking into each dispensary is fundamentally different, and the type of customer each serves best is different too. This comparison helps you figure out which approach fits your needs.
Transparency note: This comparison is published by Studio 57 NY. We have tried to be fair and factual, but we encourage you to visit both dispensaries and judge for yourself.
Philosophy
Studio 57 NY
EdgeLocal-first, curation-driven. Every product is personally vetted. The goal is to carry the right products, not the most products. Community requests shape the inventory.
FlynnStoned
Volume-driven retail. Emphasis on carrying as many SKUs as possible to give customers maximum choice. Inventory decisions driven by supplier availability and margins.
Location
Studio 57 NY
Edge570 Midland Ave, Midland Beach. East Shore exclusive. Chosen specifically to serve an underserved part of the island. Street parking available.
FlynnStoned
Central Staten Island location. Accessible from the expressway but less tied to any specific neighborhood community.
Product Curation
Studio 57 NY
EdgeSmall, focused selection. Relationships with specific New York growers. Products removed if quality drops. Staff can speak to every item on the shelf because they have personally evaluated it.
FlynnStoned
Large inventory spanning many brands and product types. Breadth of selection means individual products receive less individual scrutiny. Good for browsing, less ideal for guided recommendations.
Staff Experience
Studio 57 NY
EdgeStaff trained in cannabis education beyond product names. Conversations about terpene profiles, consumption methods, dosing strategies, and individual goals. No scripts.
FlynnStoned
Standard retail staff with product familiarity. Able to assist with purchases and answer basic questions. Less emphasis on deep consultation or personalized guidance.
Community Connection
Studio 57 NY
EdgeRooted in Midland Beach. Product selection evolves based on neighborhood feedback. Active participant in the local community. Not a corporate outpost. A neighborhood shop.
FlynnStoned
Operates as a retail business first. Less emphasis on neighborhood identity or community-driven product decisions. Functional rather than relational approach to customer service.
Inventory Size
Studio 57 NY
Deliberately smaller. This is intentional. It means less browsing, but every product has earned its shelf space. Some customers may wish for more variety.
FlynnStoned
EdgeLarge catalog with many brands and options. Better for customers who want extensive browsing and the ability to compare many products in one visit.
Our Take
The Bottom Line
If you want a dispensary that feels like a neighborhood shop, where the staff knows cannabis deeply, the products are curated with intention, and your feedback actually shapes what is on the shelves, Studio 57 NY is the better fit. This is especially true for East Shore residents who now have a dispensary in their own backyard.
If your priority is browsing the widest possible selection and you prefer to make your own choices from a large catalog, FlynnStoned’s volume-first model may work for you. Both dispensaries are licensed and legitimate. The difference is in philosophy.
Location and Neighborhood
Which Staten Island Dispensary Is Right for You?
Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned serve different parts of Staten Island with different approaches. Studio 57 NY is located at 570 Midland Ave in Midland Beach on the East Shore, a neighborhood that had no licensed dispensary before Studio 57 NY opened. The location was chosen specifically to serve East Shore residents, including those in New Dorp, Grant City, South Beach, Dongan Hills, and the surrounding areas, without requiring a trip across the island.
FlynnStoned operates from a more central Staten Island location, accessible from the expressway. This makes it reachable from multiple directions, but it is not anchored to a specific neighborhood the way Studio 57 NY is rooted in Midland Beach. The difference matters if you value a dispensary that understands and responds to its immediate community.
Beyond geography, the two dispensaries offer fundamentally different vibes. Studio 57 NY is a neighborhood shop where the staff knows returning customers by name and adjusts recommendations based on past purchases and preferences. The atmosphere is designed for conversation and education. FlynnStoned operates more as a traditional retail environment built around inventory breadth and efficient transactions.
Neither approach is wrong. The right dispensary depends on whether you prioritize a curated, relationship-driven experience or a wide-selection, browse-at-your-own-pace model. If you are on the East Shore, Studio 57 NY is the obvious starting point. If you are closer to FlynnStoned and prefer extensive browsing, it may suit your shopping style.
Which Staten Island dispensary is right for me, Studio 57 NY or FlynnStoned?
Studio 57 NY at 570 Midland Ave in Midland Beach is a community-rooted dispensary on the East Shore offering curated products and personalized staff guidance. FlynnStoned takes a volume-first approach with a larger inventory. The right choice depends on whether you prefer curation and consultation or extensive browsing from a large catalog.
Quality and Compliance
Comparing Cannabis Quality Standards
Both Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned are licensed by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management and are required to sell only products that have passed mandatory laboratory testing. This testing covers potency levels for THC and CBD, as well as screening for contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial content. Any product on the shelf at either dispensary has met these baseline requirements.
Where the two dispensaries differ is in what happens beyond regulatory minimums. Studio 57 NY applies an additional layer of internal vetting. The team builds direct relationships with New York cultivators and processors, evaluating products not just for compliance but for consistency, flavor profile, effect quality, and overall value. Products that pass state testing but do not meet Studio 57 NY’s internal standards are not carried. Products already on the shelf are removed if quality drops between batches.
A volume-first model, like the one FlynnStoned operates, necessarily involves carrying products from a wider range of sources. This provides more variety but means individual products may receive less ongoing evaluation after initial stocking. Both models comply with New York State law. The difference is in how far each dispensary goes beyond what the law requires.
For customers who want to understand exactly what they are purchasing, Studio 57 NY makes lab results accessible and staff can walk you through what the numbers mean. This transparency is especially valuable for customers managing specific health considerations or those who want to make data-driven purchasing decisions.
All licensed New York State cannabis dispensaries, including Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned on Staten Island, are required to sell only products that have passed Office of Cannabis Management laboratory testing for potency, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial content. Studio 57 NY applies additional internal quality criteria beyond state requirements, including direct grower relationships and ongoing batch monitoring.
New Customer Experience
The First-Time Visitor Experience
Walking into a dispensary for the first time can be overwhelming, especially when the product selection is large and unfamiliar. The first-time experience differs significantly between a curation-driven shop and a volume-driven one. At Studio 57 NY, the smaller inventory is designed to reduce decision fatigue. Staff members are trained specifically for first-time consultations, covering topics like the differences between flower, edibles, vapes, and concentrates, how to think about dosing, what terpene profiles mean for your experience, and how to start conservatively.
The goal is for every first-time customer to leave with a product that matches their comfort level and goals, not just the most popular item on the shelf. This consultative approach takes longer per customer but results in better outcomes and fewer returns or disappointments.
At a volume-focused dispensary, first-time visitors have more products to consider but may need to rely more on their own research or packaging information to make decisions. This works well for self-directed shoppers but can be intimidating for true beginners.
If you are new to cannabis or visiting a dispensary for the first time, read our complete first-time visitor guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect at Studio 57 NY, from parking to purchase.
What is the first-time visitor experience like at Studio 57 NY vs FlynnStoned?
Studio 57 NY offers a consultative first-time experience with trained staff who guide new customers through product types, dosing, and terpene profiles. The curated selection reduces decision fatigue for beginners. FlynnStoned's larger inventory offers more browsing options but may require more self-directed research from first-time cannabis buyers.
Experience the Curation Difference
Visit Studio 57 NY Today
570 Midland Ave, Midland Beach. Open 7 days a week. Browse our full menu online or call us at (646) 681-3600.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Studio 57 NY or FlynnStoned better for the East Shore?
Studio 57 NY at 570 Midland Ave in Midland Beach is the only licensed dispensary on Staten Island's East Shore. For residents of Midland Beach, New Dorp, Grant City, South Beach, and Dongan Hills, Studio 57 NY is the closest dispensary and eliminates the need for a cross-island trip to reach FlynnStoned's central location.
Which dispensary has a larger product selection, Studio 57 NY or FlynnStoned?
FlynnStoned carries a larger inventory with more brands and SKUs. Studio 57 NY intentionally maintains a smaller, curated selection where every product is personally vetted by the team. The trade-off is between breadth of choice at FlynnStoned and depth of curation at Studio 57 NY.
Are Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned both OCM-licensed dispensaries?
Yes, both Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned are licensed by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Both dispensaries are required to sell only lab-tested products and comply with all adult-use cannabis regulations in New York State. Customers must be 21 years or older to purchase at either location.
Your Next Step
How to Choose Between Studio 57 NY and FlynnStoned
We encourage you to visit both dispensaries and form your own opinion. No comparison page can replace the experience of walking in, talking to the staff, and seeing the products firsthand. The best dispensary is the one that fits your needs, your location, and your shopping preferences.
If you value a curated selection where every product has been personally vetted, staff who can have in-depth conversations about cannabis, and a neighborhood shop rooted in the East Shore community, Studio 57 NY is built for you. If you prefer maximum product variety and a self-directed browsing experience, FlynnStoned’s volume model may be a better fit.
Start by exploring what Studio 57 NY offers. Browse the full menu online, read the first-time visitor guide, or call (646) 681-3600 with any questions. We are open 7 days a week at 570 Midland Ave, Midland Beach.
Studio 57 NY is a community-rooted cannabis dispensary at 570 Midland Ave in Midland Beach, the only licensed dispensary on Staten Island's East Shore. The dispensary offers a curated selection of lab-tested cannabis products vetted beyond NYS minimums and staff trained in cannabis education for personalized recommendations. Open 7 days a week for adults 21 and older.
Visit Studio 57 NY
570 Midland Ave, Midland Beach, Staten Island. Open 7 days a week. Walk-ins always welcome.
Studio 57 NY Cannabis Dispensary is licensed by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). All products are tested in accordance with NYS regulations. Cannabis is for adult use only. You must be 21 years or older to enter the dispensary or purchase products. Keep cannabis products out of reach of children and pets. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of cannabis. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your physician before using cannabis products. This comparison reflects editorial opinion and is not endorsed by the OCM, FlynnStoned, or any regulatory body.