Cannabis Facility Construction, a national cannabis design-build construction firm, completed two Bud & Rita’s -branded dispensaries in the Chicago area.
Nature’s Grace and Wellness — a family-owned and operated Illinois cannabis farm — pursued an operational partnership approach for both locations. The company partnered with Illinois Cannabis Company in Niles at 5960 W. Touhy and Green & Randle in Avondale at 3425 W. Belmont.
Both dispensaries embrace the neighborhoods and local businesses where they are located, while offering the distinct brand experience of visiting a “1950s “diner that serves cannabis rather than burgers.
· The Avondale location has designated half of its 6,000-square-foot facility as open space for hosting community events. Presently, the dispensary is exhibiting the work of local artists and giving a 5% discount for shopping with surrounding local businesses.
· The larger Niles location (7,600 square feet) will offer the same “1950s diner” experience adjacent to the Village Crossing Shopping Center and its movie theater and shops.
CFC worked in collaboration with Eastlake Architects, which provided the facility design for both dispensaries. Appealing to fans of the movie “Grease” with bold checkered floors and a classic teal-and-pink palette, the design offers fun cannabis twists on 1950s diner graphics and slogans such as, “Take the blue line to the bud line.” In both locations, CFC and Eastlake Architects addressed both form and function, offering a streamlined checkout experience for frequent buyers as well as consultative and browsing spaces for those new to cannabis.
Other key project partners included Boulder for engineering work, Quick Electric for security and IT, Bataglia and Parkside for electrical installations in the respective dispensaries, Dunaway for carpentry, Tim’s Glass for the installation of storefront glass, and Right Way Signs for the exterior and interior signage and painted murals.
