Dank by Design: A Holistic Approach to Dispensaries

Sharp Market Focus

Epstein’s full-service design approach provides clients with accessibility to each discipline, such as architecture, interiors or MEP engineering. Our team offers unique coordination, providing adept and nimble execution of project milestones, and our discerning retail dispensary focus allows us to develop designs proven to elevate the customer experience. Epstein also understands the complex web of regulatory oversight and security requirements for a cannabis retail space including multiple states’ regulations, ADA compliance and egress restrictions.

Dispensaries have come a long way in terms of aesthetics. With legalization becoming commonplace, the look and feel of the modern retail space has since evolved. Owners have an opportunity to create their story from scratch, one aimed at a specific consumer. On the contrary, it is an opportunity to reach a diverse range of customers. The choice is up to the owner, and Epstein has the expertise to lead this process.

Pull Strategy & Attracting Your Consumer

Epstein’s interior design team understands what it takes to draw customers to the product, including getting them in the door. Capitalizing on that interest, we use our expertise to best utilize a security need, such as frosted windows, by turning it into an elevated design element.

Design also serves a functional purpose by creating a flow for the customer experience, drawing them from the front of the store to product waiting in glass cases. Open floor plans allow for more browsing and casual exploring, helpful for those who are new to cannabis.

A critical part of dispensary design is of course, security. Dispensaries are at a higher risk of theft due to the sheer volume of on-site cash and data. Our team considers each risk when developing plans for security feeds and protecting cash transactions.

Epstein’s interiors team also has thorough expertise integrating brands into a cohesive design, creating palates and messaging to help our clients make a splash. Our team develops your vision into a recognizable brand, whether it’s a focus on approachability, or speed and convenience, we guide our client through the branding process to make your ideas come to life.

A Sampling of Our Portfolio

Cloud 9 Dispensary – Edwardsville, Illinois

Midwest Real Estate selected Epstein to design a 4,800 square foot build-out of an existing 16,000 square foot single-story building for Lucky Lincoln Gaming. This expanded space will be home to Cloud 9, a new flagship cannabis dispensary in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Epstein was presented with somewhat of an open-ended process in that our client was in need of branding direction to match the look and feel of the space. This served as an ideal challenge starting from scratch – it was an opportunity to drive the process forward with industry knowledge combined with our client’s vision. The goal is to expand the dispensary to additional locations utilizing a modified prototype of this initial flagship store, customizing the design to fit future spaces. Epstein’s interior designers created a concept with this type of mobility in mind.

Epstein’s interiors group pulled inspiration from both the name and logo of Cloud 9 to create a clean, bright and inviting space. Atmospheric visuals of the sky, clouds and sunsets fabricate a welcome sense of calm so customers new to cannabis or purchasing cannabis are able to leave any misgivings at the door. This, combined with soft yet modern tech finishes such as curved millwork, and high gloss and matte surfaces, creates an all-around approachable and stylish retail space open to new and regular customers.

Above the sales floor, story windows at an atrium floods the space with natural light. All floor-level windows serve a dual purpose, layered with frosted, translucent film for security purposes. And finally, mobile product shelving allows for easy maneuvering during opening and closing of the store.

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Cloud 9 Dispensary

Beyond Hello Dispensary – Palm Springs, California

Epstein provided architecture, interior design and MEP engineering services for the 8,700 SF dispensary. The mid-century building had fallen into a state of disrepair and needed extensive updating. Through our coordination with the owner and the City of Palm Springs, Epstein was able to obtain the permit for interior and exterior improvements that included new landscaping, new façade treatment, new storefront glazing, a spacious retail floor, secure vault, and back-of-house accommodations for the employees. Epstein helped develop a new look for the Palm Springs location that broke the mold from other Beyond Hello dispensaries.

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Beyond Hello - Palm Springs

Cresco Labs, Sunnyside Dispensary – Schaumburg, Illinois

Epstein worked with Cresco Labs from concept to completion for their 8,500 SF Schaumburg, Illinois dispensary. Epstein’s interiors group and MEP engineers, in collaboration with Cresco, developed the space plan and created deliverables such as an area map, security layout, and exterior elevations submitted to the state board of zoning to start the process for approval for the dispensary. Once approved, Epstein prepared the architectural, MEP and fire protection, and structural drawings for permit and construction. Epstein further assisted Cresco and the general contractor through construction administration to complete the project under a strict 45-day construction schedule.

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Cresco's Sunnyside Dispensary - Schaumburg

Beyond Hello Dispensary – Sauget, Illinois

Epstein served as Architect of Record for a full interior build-out of a 7,000 SF retail cannabis dispensary in Sauget, Illinois, including documentation for a special use permit, a stamped architectural drawing set, and full MEP engineering design and drawings. The new space features a secure entry lobby with check-in, sales floor with points of sale locations, a secure vault, employee breakroom, and private offices. Our interiors group performed a study, design development, construction documents and the bidding permitting process. Epstein’s MEP engineers also performed a similar scope including construction administration.

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Beyond Hello - Sauget

With over 100 years providing best-in-class architecture and engineering services, Epstein is a leading design and construction firm in the cannabis industry, providing clients a hands-on approach to strategic planning, programming, architecture, engineering and construction services for retail dispensaries, as well as cultivation, processing and manufacturing facilities across the United States. Since 2020, Epstein has designed over 20 dispensaries and produced over 1 million square feet in cultivation facility design and construction for our cannabis clients.