“A lot of people have actually said that,” said Thomas Marino, one of the co-owners of The Social Leaf, located at 334 Atlantic City Boulevard (Route 9). “We wanted it to look clean, sleek and modern. We didn’t want to look like a head shop. We wanted to stand out – clean lines, ambience, a fresh atmosphere. People have said it feels like a combination between an Apple Store and a lounge, and that’s exactly what I was going for.”
The Social Leaf blasts apart stereotypes of what many would think a cannabis dispensary would look like. Similar to its early counterparts in Las Vegas, the interior of the building is spotless, IDs are checked by a hostess and an off-duty police officer provides security. The lights are bright and fresh. Huge LED television screens feature menus, ordering is digitally-assisted with tablets, and each customer is provided with personal service from a salesperson who answers questions and shows off products in transparent cases with granite countertops.