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Smack-dab between the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College sits a moderately sized building that has sat vacant for years. Wedged in the corner of Lead Avenue and Yale Avenue, the building is now home to Smokin Joe’s Coffee and Cannabis, a dispensary and coffee shop.
In a time when more established dispensaries are trying to stay afloat in a saturated market, co-owner Aaron “Buck” Burnett says his plan to separate from the pack is a “cannabis plus” model that offers a quick and easy shopping experience for customers.
The setup inside is straightforward, with a coffee bar in one corner and a modest selection of cannabis flower, prerolls, and vape cartridges. Burnett tells The Paper. the small-ish selection is intentional and was inspired by a trip to In-N-Out Burger while he was in Phoenix.
“I was probably the 20th car in lime, and I was just looking at their menu and I started thinking about how one of the most successful popular burger chains in the United States does five things, and they do it well,” Burnett says. “So I had the idea — ‘Why can’t a cannabis dispensary follow the same business model and do the same thing?’”
Just like that, Smokin’ Joe’s was born.
Burnett says he’s putting just as much emphasis on selling an affordable and quality cup of coffee as he is on selling weed.
“I think it’s ridiculous that people are paying, you know, $3 and $4 for a cup of drip coffee,” he says.
Aside from plans to have regularly scheduled special events, Smokin’ Joe’s is holding its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday Aug. 24 and will offer free coffee and other special deals.
Smokin’ Joe’s Grand Opening
Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 6.pm.
300 Yale Blvd. SE
smokinjoesnm.com