The Bodega Style Cannabis Dispensary Experience

Open retail models are catching on, and they make shopping flexible and customer-first.

Why the Bodega Style Cannabis Dispensary

Cannabis retail has evolved far beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether shopping in-person at a dispensary, ordering online for home delivery, or using curbside pickup, customers today have choices that mirror mainstream retail. One emerging approach—the “bodega style”—offers a relaxed, familiar experience where customers can browse shelves, hold products in-hand, and check out like they would at a grocery store. In this blog, we explore why bodega-style shopping is catching on, how it changes budtender interactions, and what it means for the future of cannabis retail.

Bringing Cannabis Shopping Into the Mainstream

Cannabis used to feel like a locked-box transaction with budtenders behind glass counters, everything under tight control. Today retailers are rethinking this model to better match customer expectations shaped by mainstream stores. The bodega-style experience creates a welcoming, low-pressure environment where customers can explore at their own pace, similar to shopping at Trader Joe’s or BevMo. While we've had these for some time oin California, Verano’s Zen Leaf in Arizona is a prime example of the trend going nationwide, as it allows customers to walk the aisles and truly engage with products before purchase.

How Budtenders Enhance the Experience

In the bodega-style model, budtenders are not stuck behind a counter. Instead they’re on the floor, helping customers navigate choices, answer questions, or simply letting products speak for themselves. This approach doesn’t eliminate expert guidance; it amplifies it. When customers have products in-hand, discussions become more personal, educational, and effective. It also empowers customers who want to browse independently while preserving high-touch service when they want it. Some operators also call this the "open retail model," a shift toward more inclusive, familiar shopping experiences.

Bodega Style Cannabis Dispensary & Customer Choice

At Pac Garden Assets, we believe in supporting all shopping styles, from high-security counters to modern lounges and online delivery. The key is choice. Not every shopper wants the same experience. By allowing models like bodega-style retail, cities and operators can better meet consumer needs, improve accessibility, and normalize cannabis shopping. We see this as essential for destigmatizing cannabis, growing customer loyalty, and aligning the industry with other mainstream retail sectors. Ultimately, flexibility helps the legal market compete with illicit sales by offering a better experience.

Retail Strategy and Real Estate Opportunity

Retail layout isn’t just an experience question but a strategic business decision. A bodega-style design can improve sales per visit, increase impulse purchases, and encourage brand loyalty. Operators looking to launch or remodel should consider customer flows, security, and zoning. For example, our Stanton Dispensary + Real Estate opportunity offers prime Southern California frontage perfect for operators looking to innovate with bodega-style layouts while meeting all regulatory requirements. This is a seamless, cashflowing transition for those that are new to the model.

Industry Implications & Potential Solutions

Pac Garden Assets helps operators seize opportunities in a changing retail landscape. Whether you're evaluating Monterey County Manufacturing to expand your brand or seeking consulting services to refine your retail strategy, we bring deep industry knowledge, real estate expertise, and compliance guidance. By supporting flexible retail models like bodega-style experiences, we help cannabis businesses deliver what modern customers want—and build sustainable, competitive operations.

Conclusion

Cannabis retail isn’t one-size-fits-all. Bodega-style experiences help normalize shopping, empower customers, and grow the industry. At Pac Garden Assets, we champion flexible, modern retail approaches that make cannabis shopping as welcoming and familiar as any other store. In other works: destigmatize & normalize!