Weed Shops May Replace 2 Shuttered Diners In Burlington County

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — First stoners went there for the munchies. Soon they may go there for weed. The sites of two shuttered diners in Burlington County could become home to cannabis dispensaries.

Prospective business owners plan to place the cannabis shops at the locations of the former Marlton Diner (781 Route 70 W, Marlton) and Sage Diner (1170 Route 73, Mount Laurel). The Mount Laurel location is pending local approval.

A group called Enlighten Health and Wellness will operate the Marlton location, while NJ Green Care's application to convert the Sage Diner moved forward. Former diners have become prime locations for dispensaries across the country because of zoning laws that keep them away from residential areas.

Local officials in Evesham Township, which includes Marlton, have approved three dispensaries:

• Enlighten, at the former Marlton Diner location
• The Highway 90, at Old Marlton Pike and Route 73
• Floro Evesham, at Marlton Commons

Highway 90 expects to open April 20 — the unofficial holiday celebrating cannabis consumption. But the opening date depends on passing necessary inspections. It's not yet clear when Enlighten or Floro Evesham might begin business.

The Mount Laurel Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the Green Care application at its next meeting — 7 p.m. Thursday in the Municipal Court Room.

The state began allowing dispensaries to sell recreational cannabis April 21. Several businesses in New Jersey's Greater Philadelphia communities began offering the product in recent months, including:

• Curaleaf (4237 Route 130 S, Edgewater Park, and 191 Route 130, Bordentown)
• The Botanist (2090 N Black Horse Pike, Williamstown)
• Curaleaf (640 Creek Rd., Bellmawr)
• Zen Leaf (3256 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township)

The Marlton Diner opened in 2001 and closed last year, while the Sage Diner shuttered in 2017.