Exclusive look: El Paseo’s new high end dispensary
A new dispensary is coming soon to El Paseo and News Channel 3 reporter Jake Ingrassia got an exclusive first look inside.
“Here it’s customer service forward. We just want to make sure that people have an enjoyable experience and get the best service possible,” Paul Cotterell, general manager of ‘The Leaf El Paseo.’
‘The Leaf El Paseo’ is looking to give customers what they say is an elevated cannabis retail experience.
“We’ve really taken on the element of traditional retail, things that you’re accustomed to seeing in new stores out there,” Cotterell said. “We’ve gone to a lot of lengths to create an environment that’s not specifically dispensary-related.”
The dispensary features a chic design, with floor to ceiling display cases and modern touches of elegance.
As the dispensary pushes forward with construction, staff are working full time and full speed ahead toward completion.
“We’re getting there, probably a few days away from opening doors… here maybe a couple days away. These last little elements are coming together quick so it’s all based on that,” Cotterell said.
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Cotterell said “The Leaf” will offer top-shelf products without the El Paseo price premium.
We want to make sure that you’re paying the same price as you’ve always been paying but there’s other exclusive lines we’re bringing into the store that you’d probably pay a little bit more for those for the exclusivity,” Cotterell said.
Despite that, Cotterell said the dispensary is about more than luxurious aesthetics and top-shelf products. They also want to educate consumers about marijuana’s health benefits and improve the public perception of cannabis.
“What we wanna do is just promote a good image of what cannabis is all about because in the end, it’s gonna promote a good image because, in the end, it’s gonna help the greater population,” Cotterell said.
Crews are continuing to finish working on the dispensary. The Leaf El Paseo is expected to hold a grand opening on Thursday, March 14. Staff said they are pushing to officially open for business starting this weekend.
You can reach Jake on Twitter, Facebook or email him at jake.ingrassia@kesq.com.