THE MAKING OF BAKED BODEGA: A NYC LEGACY BRAND WITH GLOBAL AMBITIONS
From the corner-store culture of Uptown to global expansion plans, Baked Bodega is blending New York grit, Latino pride, and West Coast genetics into a movement.
UPTOWN SMOKE TO STREET STAPLE
Dominican-born founder Big B first encountered haze as a kid in Uptown NYC, watching his father and uncles roll up. By 12, he was smoking daily. Growing up between New York and the Dominican Republic, he developed a deep sense of grit and identity. The concept that “nothing is more Spanish, nothing is more New York than a bodega” became the cultural backbone of his brand.
“YOU SHOULD START SELLING WEED”
A mentor once told him, “The way you know weed, you should start selling it.” His first real move came with a Girl Scout Cookies front from local plug Queen of Buz. He flipped it, reinvested, and steadily scaled his operation, cementing his place in NYC’s underground cannabis scene.
BODEGA BRANDING WITH PURPOSE
For Big B, Baked Bodega was more than a catchy name—it was an anchor to his roots. In Latino NYC neighborhoods, the bodega is a lifeline. As copycat names like “La Bodega” surfaced, he doubled down on authenticity: “boots on the ground, authentic, Spanish, New York.”
EAST MEETS WEST: LA GENETICS FUEL GROWTH
His brand leveled up through deep West Coast connections. Traveling to California, Big B gained access to elite genetics like Tequila Mints and Lemon Marine Cake, partnering with top cultivators. These rare cuts gave him a competitive edge on NYC menus and solidified his reputation for bringing exclusive flavors to the East.
WALLA BEES: LEGACY THROUGH LOSS
In honor of his late brother—known as his “Tequila Bee”—Big B launched Walla Bees, a signature line infused with personal meaning. The name combines “Walla” (Arabic for “I swear to God” or “someone in charge”) with “Bee,” paying homage to his brother’s nickname and memory.
NOTABLE DROPS INCLUDE
• 41 to Botti – Named after his personal go-to strain
• Wild Fuel – A citrus-heavy OGK cross
• Big Apple W – Apple F × Kushmas, a homage to NYC
• Tropical Walla – Fruity collaboration with Lower Level
WEED BODEGA ERA
When post-legalization NYC became flooded with unlicensed “weed bodegas,” Baked Bodega thrived in the gray zone. Fueled by rare product drops and deep loyalty, Big B built his following even as NYPD crackdowns intensified. His stance remains clear: “Spread in the black market first… everybody should be smoking Walla Bees.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Expansion is already underway, with Miami, Texas, California, and the UK in sight. Recently featured on Proper Doinks TV, Big B has not ruled out entering the legal market, framing it as a way to ensure his brother’s name and legacy live on indefinitely.
Youtube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gt56e4RHRc&t=22s
— nugg notes 🪴
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/@GoodPizzza/videos
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