Not your typical looking marijuana dispensary opens in Niles on Touhy Ave.

by BRIAN NADIG

The new Bud and Rita’s marijuana dispensary at 5960 W. Touhy Ave. in Niles looks like a 1950s-style diner, and on Sept. 14 it will host a drive-in showing of the movie “Grease.”

Why such a colorful and fun atmosphere, with pink and teal pastels and neon lights, for a retail store selling cannabis products?

“We felt it was important to create environments that were inviting and pleasant for all our customers. For many, shopping for cannabis can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to the game. Our goal was to break away from the sterile, ‘doctors office’ style of dispensary in favor of a fun, comfortable environment that is interactive and enjoyable for customers,” the management team for Bud and Rita’s said.

They added that the inviting environment matches the “down-to-earth nature of our Budristas” and their “Midwestern hospitality.” The “Budristas” are well trained to answer questions and help customers, especially new ones, figure out their cannabis goals and dosage preferences, according to the dispensary.

“We understand that for many new customers, purchasing cannabis feels flat-out strange after years of stigma – our ‘Budristas’ are mindful of this and aim to ensure each customer leaves feeling at ease and accommodated.”

The drive-in movie night, which is intended for ages 21 and over, will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the parking lot, featuring food and giveaways for customers. More information will be available on the dispensary’s Facebook page and at www.budandritas.com/events

The dispensary is located inside the former Graziano’s Brick Oven Pizza restaurant, which closed last year. It’s along a busy commercial street, with many retailers and eateries. 

“We also picked this location with weekend errand runs in mind. We want Bud and Rita’s to be another stop in your weekly shopping routine.”

The dispensary is owned by the O’Hern family, which first got into the industry so it could use its agricultural experience to take “on the challenge of growing quality weed for Illinois medical marijuana cardholders,” according to a company statement. It also has a dispensary at 3425 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood.

Most customers are between the ages of 25 to 45 years old, although the Niles shop has more customers age 55 and over than the Avondale store, according to the company. It reports that popular items include its in-house brand edibles, vapes and pre-rolls, with Funnies Gummies, Joos Vapes and Mindful Moment Pre-Rolls among the top-selling specific products. 

Its dispensaries are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

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