Sol Flower remodels Tempe dispensary to be more than just a weed shop

On Friday, Sol Flower celebrated the “grand reopening” of its flagship Arizona store in Tempe. There was all the expected hoopla — giveaways, food trucks and promotions — as the company relaunched its location at 2424 W. University Drive.

Sol Flower never actually closed, remaining open during renovations. But the end result is something new, said Sol Flower Vice President of Retail and Marketing Caroline Riggs. The Sol Flower on University is now more than just a dispensary — it’s meant to be a community center of sorts.

“The Tempe location is our flagship store,” Riggs said, “and we aim to be a pillar of the community.”

Visitors to the location are greeted by a brightly lit entrance that sets the stage for a retail environment resembling a weed museum. Products are displayed on brightly illuminated showcases that emphasize their accessibility while lending the space a modern, curated feel. Riggs said the dispensary plans to host vendor events and festivals in the space. The Tempe location also incorporates artwork by Jesse Perry, a local artist.

A prominent addition is the grow window, which aims to provide an interactive educational experience. Customers “have been asking for education,” Riggs said, and now they can see cannabis cultivation firsthand. Per a company press release, customers will be able to “view mother plants in-store, and learn more about cannabis and its benefits.”

“The grow window offers a unique ‘seed-to-sale’ experience, allowing people to see how the plant grows and understand the full journey of cannabis,” Riggs said.

Since its establishment in 2019, Sol Flower has grown into one of Arizona’s largest single-state dispensary chains, known for its expansive product selection. Owned by Copperstate Farms, the dispensary benefits from its parent company’s extensive operations, including a 1.7-million-square-foot greenhouse that supports sustainable cannabis production across Arizona.