Cannabis is getting a glow up at Charlie Fox, a deluxe weed dispensary in New York that serves locally sourced buds alongside gummies and merch. Olivia Palamountain reports

Experts predict New York’s legal cannabis market is projected to match or exceed retail alcohol sales within five years and luxury cannabis retailer Charlie Fox is capitalising on the boom.

The brand launched its flagship NYC store on December 12, 2024 at 719 7th Avenue in Times Square, marking the debut of the largest cannabis retail establishment on US East Coast.

The three-storey, 10,000 square foot store introduces a highly stylised retail concept centred on luxury hospitality principles, offering the Charlie Fox line of cannabis products alongside seasonal apparel and lifestyle accessories. The retail space, designed in collaboration with award-winning interior firm Home Studios, features a distinctive multi-level experience. The ground floor presents an old-world, apothecary-inspired space for customers seeking efficiency.

The second floor houses a salon with an intimate bar, where cannabis sommeliers dressed in custom vests designed by Kimberly Taylor provide personalised consultations in a luxury setting with banquet seating. Additionally, a retail area offers branded apparel, while the third floor “den” is scheduled to open in Spring 2025 as an event space for immersive experiences.
Creative director and partner Julia Levi explains the vision behind the store: “Charlie Fox is a first of its kind retail brand experience. We invite guests to escape the hustle and bustle of Times Square and explore the world of Charlie Fox – one that combines our two inspirations – the rich heritage of London and New York’s modern edge. The multiple floors allows us to create a sense of discovery that simultaneously evokes a familiar warmth.”The Charlie Fox product line features cannabis sourced from New York farms, with an emphasis on specific THC dosages that allow consumers to control their desired effect. Products are organised into four mood categories – Relax, Sleep, Social and Create – available in premium flower, vapes, pre-rolls and gummies. The brand also sells seasonal collections of apparel, merchandise, smoking accessories and home goods reflecting its luxury aesthetic.For a more tailored experience, customers can book 30-minute appointments with cannabis sommeliers through the SevenRooms platform.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Charlie Fox to the world’s greatest stage. We felt something missing in the retail cannabis market. So, we decided to create a store rooted in what we loved – restaurants, hotels and hospitality. Whether it is sommelier level service, a focus on quality ingredients, or emphasis on ingredients and low dosages, we hope Charlie Fox will be the first of many dispensaries to destigmatise cannabis and introduce it to new clients,” says Charlie Fox co-founder James Mallios.Charlie Fox has announced plans to expand with additional locations in NYC and the Hamptons in 2025. The company’s founders bring significant hospitality experience to their cannabis venture, having previously established restaurants Calissa in Southampton and Amali on the Upper East Side.