Zen Leaf Dispensary Evanston — Attraction in Evanston Township

Wow. What a rise and fall of a store. While the revolving door of this location continues to spin like a hamster with a red bull on its wheel, inconsistency is the only thing consistent about this store. Shamefully, management asked me to leave when having a friendly conversation with the front desk AFTER I made my purchase. Whilst I have zero qualms with the messenger, apparently, there is a time limit to which you are allowed to be in the store. If you’re not buying anything, or even after you have bought something I guess you’re not welcome to stay, even though you are allowed to make multiple purchases. What’s even more intriguing is how there are several individuals who I have personally seen come in time after time waiting at the service counter to collect bag fulls of free cannabis and having in extended in depth conversation with their management team. Yet, a paying customer, myself, was asked to leave because I was having a conversation. It’s more often that not the manager Nikki who has had more than one instance with personalizing who is welcome and not welcome to the Zen Leaf Evanston location. It’s dumbfounding that this kind of maturity and lack of professionalism is still given the opportunity to exist, but not much can be said for what’s perceived as just a lack of experience and skill. This will be my last time shopping at any Zen Leaf Evanston. While there are some phenomenal personalities and bud-tenders willing to do great service, the trickle down from poor management has started to effect the store at a customer level more and more. Thank you Patrick for being so kind and providing me with half of what I needed for my order. I know typically discounts are given for when things are not in stock, but management dropped the ball there as well….finding out this store has been blacklisted is not surprising under any...

I have been to the Medmen in both Co and La, and was expecting an experience much like that. The visit that I had here wasn’t bad, but not quite what I wanted. I went for a recreational purchase (only from 10-2) and all in all, was there about 30 mins. In through security, there’s a line to wait and look over their menu. There was a good amount of people ‘taking orders’- essentially where you talk to an employee about you wants/ needs and they help steer you in the right direction. I was extremely disappointed because they didn’t have the buds at this store, as I predominantly smoke. Anyhow, got a cartridge for a vape- one that I believe only works with what they supply. Order placed, I waited to go into a second room for purchase. Here’s where I was a little annoyed. Beyond the tax, because we all know that’s a thing, they only take debit cards and no credit. Ok, sure. My total was 141.30$ for 2 items (was 115$ but tax) but they had to ‘round up’ to 145$ and then give me the difference in change. Ok, weird. Then there’s the ‘withdrawal fee’ from a non-atm charge since the card readers they use were not seen as a store purchase, but a ‘withdrawal’. Ok, annoying. Most likely, won’t be going back. It was far too sterile than what I had in mind, as the dispensaries I’ve visited gave me a preconceived notion. Not to mention, I can definitely find cheaper prices. I’m glad the state is finally catching up, but there’s definitely a lot of regulations/ supply and demand that this place...

This place has awesome personable staff, and the prices keep getting better, but the experience of getting through the store in a timely fashion is getting worse and worse. Often there are 3 employees working the front window - 2 regular employees and 1 security guard. Honestly, you only need the security guard checking IDs, everyone else at the front window is chatting, on their phone, or taking a nap . The other 2 people from the front window should be on ipad duty, helping walk-in customers place their orders. Online pre-orders and walk-ins are treated exactly the same - what is the point of preordering if I still have to wait behind non-preorders? More often I find I'm stuck waiting in line 20+ minutes while a walk-in customer looks and talks through the whole menu with a cashier. Keep the line moving - have a dedicated terminal or rep with an ipad where walk-ins can go, and let the pre-orders get straight in line to the cashier, this is much more efficient for business and customer. Finally, make sure the front desk staff are directing cashless customers straight to the ATM when they enter - its just another point where the line consistently gets held up at this location. Awesome staff, great product, but there needs to be some cleaning up to the workflow. Other dispensaries are operating on this exact or similar workflow and work...