Experience the Ivy Hall Difference: A Beacon for Conversations, Community, and Quality Products for Peoria

What sets a dispensary apart in the eyes of Peoria consumers?

Imagine walking into a space that not only caters to your needs but also embraces you with open arms, reminiscent of stepping into a familiar, welcoming environment. Ivy Hall, located on War Memorial Drive since December 15th, 2023, is more than just a cannabis dispensary – it's a hub for community engagement and forward-thinking initiatives. 

Formerly an Applebee's, this transformed space radiates warmth and hospitality from the moment you step inside. Gone are the intimidating stares; instead, you are met with genuine smiles and a sense of belonging. Join the Ivy Hall journey, where customer comfort and community involvement are at the forefront of their mission. 

Illinois First ‘Sensory Dispensary’

I learned the Ivy Hall story and business model from my first visit to their Chicago location in January 2023. I was fortunate enough to share the exciting vibes in my article with Thrillist.

Nigel Dandrige and David Berger developed their passion and friendship into a decade-long dream that came to life, being known as Ivy Hall. Born and bred in Chicago, these visionary founders aim to create a cannabis haven that exudes luxury and community spirit. Step into Ivy Hall and immerse yourself in a carefully crafted experience where every detail, from the plush lounge chairs to the vibrant pink accent lights, speaks volumes about their dedication to excellence.

Peoria is truly making itself out to be a strong city full of curious and friendly cannabis consumers. I was lucky enough to stop by the dispensary, toting along questions about what this dispensary would be able to bring to the community and what makes the stop stand out from the other available shops in the Peoria area.

Meet Z (they/them) and Alex (he/his) — two friendly faces passionate about ensuring the best cannabis experiences for local consumers. These lovely individuals took time out of their day to answer some questions I know are big around the Peoria scene. I work at a marketing agency in the city and get asked plenty of questions by my fellow coworkers on products they should experience with and where they should be shopping!

The Business of Budtending

Hannah: What brought you both into your budtending careers?

Alex: I graduated from community college in Champaign with a degree in Business Management. At that point, it was like, what do I want to manage? Day one [in the cannabis industry], I realized that it was an amazing thing to be able to talk about something that I was so passionate about and change people’s opinions. So, for me, I enjoy breaking stigmas.

Z: I have been passionate about cannabis for such a long time, and it all started with just curiosity, doing a lot of reading of a lot of articles, and learning how far the cannabis plant can go. I advocate for the plant because of what I have learned.

Dreaming Big for Illinois Weed

Hannah: What is your ultimate dream to see happen within Illinois cannabis?

Alex: It’s nice because I’m already seeing my dreams come to fruition. When I started [budtending], one of the biggest things I noticed was a lot of different stores stocking up their menu, which was the extent of it. With all the regulations, there is still much room for cannabis businesses to grow, but many consumers are searching for the comfort of your ‘drug dealer’s couch.’ It doesn’t need to be a DMV-style ‘next in line, please.’ [At Ivy Hall], you can walk in here and get the full vibe experience. Having a place where we can provide a learning atmosphere for our customers is one of the most fun aspects of cannabis retail.

Z: I hope to see more availability for what dispensaries can do within community outreach. Illinois has harsh rules and regulations on what dispensaries can and cannot do. This can block us from reaching out to the community in all ways that [Ivy Hall] wants to support the Peoria area. I hope the regulations become more lenient and give us some leeway to reach out and be a part of the community.

Best Customer Scenarios

Hannah: What is one of your favorite scenarios for serving curious customers?

Z: When someone comes in, they have plenty of questions. When customers come to me and say, ‘Look, I don’t know anything. Please help me,’ I love being that person for the people who come in ready to help answer questions and provide context on different products.

Alex: I love it when people trust our opinions; nothing is more fun than that. When someone walks in, they say, ‘Hey, I have this much money to spend. What would you get if it were you?’ I love teaching people about cannabis. I mentioned earlier this is an aspect of breaking the stigma that I am very passionate about in my job.

Common Cannabis Myths We Need to Destroy

Hannah: What do you think is a common myth or misconception about cannabis consumption?

Alex: If you use cannabis, you’re a deadbeat or burnout. It’s so much more than that. I got my medical card back in 2021 for PTSD, and it’s something that I’ve struggled with my whole life, and I never knew that there was a way out of that. I’ve learned that it’s not all or nothing when it comes to cannabis. Many people come in [to Ivy Hall], saying they just want to be really high. But when you see many people looking for daily relief and many options that can make you completely functional, I know I still have my motivation and energy. It’s that mentality that if you use cannabis, then you’re that certain type of person.

Z: My myth is that cannabis is so much more than just sativa, hybrid, and indica. I have experienced indicas that give me anxiety, and I’ve had sativas that are relaxing. When people come in looking for the highest testing sativa, I want to open the door to the conversation that it is so much more than that. I feel like when you’re learning about terpene profiles and learning about lineage strains just opens the door for consumers to find out what the perfect cannabis is for each individual.

She’s Not Like Most Illinois Dispensaries

Hannah: What does Ivy Hall do differently than other dispensaries in Peoria?

Z: We have ancillary products at multiple price points to ensure we have something for everybody. Ivy Hall has a ‘Peoria Exclusive’ menu, and we make sure to have a range of products for everyone on a different budget. We are also deeply involved with the local community. We [budtenders] do around 20 hours of volunteering every single month. We always partner with small businesses to get the word out about us. Ivy Hall cares about the community because we want the shop to be a safe space for anybody who needs to walk through these doors. 

Our team likes to branch out and partner with the community not just for one situation but for months or even yearly with a company to help create trust and feel involved in the Peoria community.

Alex: I would say that one of the biggest things is the experience. There is nothing that bums me out more than going into a dispensary and wanting to talk about a product and getting shut down by a budtender saying something along the lines of ‘I haven’t tried that,’ or ‘Oh yeah, that will get you high.’ I’m really big on getting my staff to a point where they can talk about anything and have the experience to share with the customer. 

Expecting someone to know everything about every category is unrealistic. We do a great job finding out who our flower people are who treat people well and involve everyone in the conversation. People will notice if we continue to tell them that every product in the store is good - so giving good, honest feedback and providing other options that we might like is not a one-size-fits-all experience. I see many people walk out of the store very confident in what’s in their bag because of the information given to them.

Don’t Fear Questions at Ivy Hall in Peoria

Hannah: What do you think is a good message to those consumers who want to learn more but are afraid to come in and have a conversation?

Alex: My biggest thing is that I don’t think anyone is wrong because everyone’s bodies react differently. I avoid the right and wrong sides of the conversation and instead just share my own experiences; it makes people feel much more comfortable. I have walked into dispensaries and have said things such as ‘this sativa treats me this way,’ and I’ve been met with a ‘that’s not true.’ It’s like - but wait - this is my experience; how can you say that?’ Everyone needs to start somewhere. Having a safe place to walk in and say, ‘Hey, I don’t know anything,’ we’re good about helping people get through those initial steps.

Z: I couldn’t have said it better myself. Also, don't be afraid of the terminology. You may or may not know the difference between a sativa and an indica, but you can share that certain strains make you feel too racy or anxious. One of the best things about Ivy Hall is that we’re geared to making your experience ours, not everybody else’s.

Looking Forward to More Community Involvement

Ivy Hall stands out as a beacon of community engagement and quality products in Peoria, setting itself apart through warmth, hospitality, and a commitment to customer comfort. From transforming a former Applebee's into a sensory dispensary to fostering a culture of openness and education around cannabis, Ivy Hall is dedicated to providing a unique and inclusive experience for all patrons. 

As Ivy Hall looks to the future, their focus on community involvement remains strong, with plans to collaborate with small businesses, support local artists, and engage in volunteer work within the Peoria area. Readers can join in on the journey by visiting the store on War Memorial, enrolling in the Carter Club rewards program, and exploring exclusive Peoria deals. 

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of Ivy Hall's mission to create a welcoming space where conversations, community, and quality products come together seamlessly.