Albert and Ashley Capraro never imagined their journey into the legal cannabis space would lead them from Medford to an 18th-century farmhouse in the heart of the Hamptons.
But on Saturday, Jan. 31, the Patchogue-Medford High School graduates will officially open Hampton Premium Green at 978 Montauk Highway in Water Mill.
The location, now meticulously restored, blends Long Island history with a modern, elevated retail experience, they say.
The husband-and-wife team, both 34, grew up just minutes apart and met in high school before starting their relationship shortly after graduation.
Over the years, Ashley built a career in high-end retail management, spending 15 years with Michael Kors, while Albert worked in his family’s glass business and developed a deep interest in cannabis culture.
When New York’s adult-use cannabis program began to take shape, the couple saw an opportunity to combine their backgrounds in business, design and customer experience into something entirely new.
Now, after years of planning and renovations, Hampton Premium Green is set to welcome its first customers — offering not just NYS-tested cannabis products, but an atmosphere designed to feel thoughtful, comfortable and distinctly Hamptons.
A landmark reborn
Albert and Ashley Capraro purchased the landmark building at 978 Montauk Highway in Water Mill in November 2024, the transformation began after the necessary town approvals. (courtesy photos)
The building that now houses Hampton Premium Green dates back to around 1780 and was most recently known as a longtime antique shop.
Preserving its character was non-negotiable for the Capraros.
Because of the structure’s historic designation, nearly every decision required careful consideration.
The project went before architectural review and landmarks boards, with strict limitations on what could and could not be altered. While the exterior and historic elements remained intact, Albert oversaw a full renovation of everything permissible — adding ADA access, a vestibule, a 28-car parking lot with two EV chargers and across-the-board updated infrastructure.
All while keeping the bones of the building true to its past.
“There’s a lot of history here,” Ashley said. “We didn’t want to erase that. We wanted to revive what was already here and bring it to life in a new way.”
The result is a space that feels intentionally understated — clean, modern and contemporary, without overpowering the building’s original charm.
Rather than loud signage or flashy visuals you might find at more typical dispensaries, the focus is on warmth, balance and a sense of place.
The Capraros want customers to feel like they’ve stepped into something special.
The experience
Ashley’s background in luxury retail helped shape Hampton Premium Green’s philosophy from the inside out.
From the layout to the staffing approach, the goal has always been to create an experience rather than a quick transaction.
“I want people to feel relaxed and comfortable,” she said. “You can come in, get what you need, ask questions, learn something, and actually enjoy being here.”
That mindset extends to the dispensary’s team, which currently includes about 16 to 17 employees, as well as a rotating group of vendors who will be on site to educate customers about their products.
Community involvement is also central to their vision. The couple hopes to host events, collaborate with local organizations, and find meaningful ways to give back — whether that means supporting veterans, fundraising for charities, or simply listening to what the community wants.
“We want to be part of the neighborhood,” Ashley said. “We want people to tell us what they like, what they don’t like, and how we can show up for them.”
Hampton Premium Green will open Saturday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m., with regular hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
As the finishing touches are put into place, the Capraros say the excitement is finally starting to feel real inside the old house, which the couple had down to the studs before the rebuild — and now, the unveiling.
“This is 100 percent unique,” Ashley said. “There’s nobody else doing it quite like this — and that’s exactly what we wanted.”
Some more history
- The main house at 978 Montauk Highway is believed to have been constructed around 1780, placing it among the earliest surviving buildings in Water Mill. The structure is listed in the Southampton Historic Resources Survey as a historically significant resource.
- The property is associated with the Rose family, one of Southampton’s earliest English settler families. Over multiple generations, members of the Rose family played prominent roles in town governance, land stewardship, and civic life, contributing to the development of the Water Mill area and greater Southampton.
- The building fronts Montauk Highway, a roadway that has functioned as a primary east-west route on the South Fork since the 17th century. Long before modern transportation, this corridor connected farming communities, commercial centers, and coastal hamlets across eastern Long Island.
Source: Southampton Town Landmarks and Historic Districts Board documents
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