YAMBA MARKET CANNABIS DISPENSARY
As the first fully black owned and operated recreational dispensary in Cambridge MA, Yamba Market’s mission is to authentically build a socially restorative and inclusive adult cannabis space in Massachusetts centered around community. Subtle references within the brand identity and interiors pay homage to the founders’ West African heritage and local, Cambridge, MA roots.
The visual identity for Yamba (a West African colloquial term for cannabis) is inspired by the colors, textures, and street art of the square, as well as mudcloth textiles and natural botanicals. This visual language is carried forward into murals, signage, wayfinding, and collateral throughout – adding to layers of interest and connection to the brand experience. The custom stencil typography of the multi-colored YAMBA wordmark makes the mark easily ‘taggable'. This spray-painted stencil technique is seen throughout the space, including playful cannabis quotes, unexpectedly sprinkled throughout, encouraging exploration and discovery.
Interior design blending the vibrancy of an international marketplace with urban grit.
Entering the space from the bustling thoroughfare of Mass Ave, guests are afforded an immediate respite from the street via a wood-wrapped interior and initial receiving lounge for gathering, exploring, and learning. Retail displays showcase cannabis stories and education, alongside custom-branded and thoughtfully curated merchandise. Celebrating the brand’s worldly expression, the lounge features Nicaraguan chairs and a Moroccan Rug, set against a vibrant backdrop of hand-woven plateau baskets from Indego Africa, an organization working to empower African women, youth, and refugees.
The grand central retail space celebrates the location with a large ‘Central Square’ raised signage, installed over a hand painted mural, blending botanicals, pattern, and texture. All the vibrancy is balanced by the single material back wall and retail counter. Angled cuts of the vertical slat retail counter reflect the geometry of the Yamba “Y” letterform.
Blending form and function, a large rolling shutter at the online order counter acts as a functional pass-through from the vault, while referencing the storefronts of the street. A branded mural adds both additional industrial texture and functional shelving reference numbers.
While the many ties to the brand story may not be immediately uncovered by visitors, the overall experience of the space will stay with them. As stated on the wall within the entry: ‘We go to the market not only for the purchase of goods, but for exploration and the promise of discovery. We find creative inspiration and a deeper connection to those around us - stimulating the senses and providing understanding. The market is an open expression of community, one in which we can all find ourselves.’
