This has been the experience of David Fettner, a managing partner at Illinois-based Grow America Builders, which specializes in design and construction for the cannabis industry.
Fettner said stores in states that are just starting out, such as West Virginia, will have a small footprint of 900 to 1,200 total square feet.
But for more mature states, including Illinois and New Jersey, the sweet spot is 4,200 square feet.
Fettner said stores in mature states are looking to add bells and whistles to enhance the customer experience, such as glass-encased VIP rooms.
“That’s not something where you would take up existing square footage,” Fettner said. “That’s something where you add new square footage for.”
Growth can also come from regulatory changes.