A dispensary that feels less like a transaction and more like a conversation.
When you walk into Sweetspot in Exeter, the first thing you notice is how bright everything is, almost like it is humming with energy. Maybe it is that sort of feeling that puts you at ease before you have even looked at the menu.
The first thing that happens is the same as everywhere else: You are greeted by the front desk. Give your ID or medical card, wait for it to get scanned, boom, you are done. But the difference is in the little things. A smile given as soon as you walk in, or even a simple, “How’s your day going?” that actually means something. A lot of dispensaries skip these interactions, and have you feeling like you are just another number in line. Remember that energy I was talking about? Think of it like a warm welcome.
Once inside, the space opens into a large room with long rectangular tables. On one side, small square doors open up to reveal your product. Employees make it a priority to always check the product. On the other side of the room sit the dreaded, yet most loved tablets: the easy way to check out if you already know what you want. It is a quick in-and-out system, efficient and convenient. But if you need a little more time, or just someone to talk to, Sweetspot is not the kind of dispensary to leave you to fend for yourself with a screen.
I think it is safe to say that we have heard horror stories of dispensaries with a vibe that makes you feel like if you do not already know everything about weed, you are in the wrong place. But not everyone knows what they are looking for, and sometimes all you need is to talk to someone before swiping your card. I am definitely guilty of this, and so what? After several bad trips, I learned the hard way that asking questions is better than pretending to know what I am doing.
This is why Sweetspot works for both those who prefer the quick experience and those who want to learn more. The staff makes it a priority to engage with customers and explain, to the best of their knowledge. While I was waiting in line with my boyfriend, we overheard a customer ask for whatever was strongest. Instead of the employee handing the customer the first-THC product and calling it a day, they slowed things down and asked, “Are you sure? What exactly are you looking for?” His tone was not judgmental but rather educational. Sometimes, it is forgotten that chasing the highest THC does not always give you the strongest high. Most times it overwhelms the other compounds that actually shape the experience. Therefore, instead of a balanced effect, you end up with the exact opposite of what you were looking for. We saw the customer nod in understanding, and that interaction ended up being more than just a quick, “Here you go, next.”
This was also explained to me by Angelina, one of the employees I spoke to during my visit, when I had told her some of my negative stories about consuming cannabis. She recommended a disposable vape with a lower THC for me to try. The conversation was never rushed, nor did it make me feel less-than because I did not know this information. If anything, it made me glad to see someone take the time to explain these things to me. Sweetspot does not concern itself with just selling weed; the ultimate goal is to make sure clients know what they are buying so they can actually enjoy it.
My conversation with Angelina explained it even better. “It feels very welcoming when you first walk in,” she says. “We have so many regulars that we are on a first-name basis with a lot of patients. I think that is what sets us apart from other dispensaries.” Knowledge is important, but empathy is essential. “We do a very good job of not only being knowledgeable on what we are selling, but also having that kind of personal attachment with patients. For them, this is their medicine. You have to be able to learn things about your patient to know what is going to fit them best.”
And the deals make things extra sweet! Sweetspot keeps customers coming back with daily specials: Sundays are 15 percent off concentrates; Mondays are 15 percent off edibles with the purchase of at least two, plus 15 percent off store-wide for medical patients; Tuesdays bring 15 percent off pre-rolls, singles, packs, or infused; Wednesdays are 15 percent off cartridges, disposables, and Airo’s; Thursdays give you 10 percent off 14g and 28g of prepacked flower; Fridays you have the chance to get a free mystery pre-roll when you spend $99; and Saturdays feature OSCC pop-ups with $24 pre-roll bundles and 20 percent off other OSCC products.
Angelina smiled as she pointed out that the schedule helps older customers stay organized. “Like, ‘Hey, every Wednesday this is the stuff I need, so I can just go every Wednesday’.” It is thoughtful and practical.
Overall, it is not the discounts, the lively layout, or the variety of products that set Sweetspot apart. It is that everyone is ready to provide you with the greatest experience as soon as you enter. The staff wants you to leave with the right products, the correct knowledge, and a great experience, so your trip does not end badly.