Sage Dispensary Brings New Life To Mount Laurel Landmark With Grand Opening At Former Sage Diner
A familiar South Jersey landmark is getting a new chapter. Sage Dispensary has officially opened its doors at 1170 Route 73 in Mount Laurel, transforming the former Sage Diner into a locally rooted cannabis destination while preserving the character and name of the property that has long been part of the community.
For founder and managing partner Alex Kardos, the opening represents something more personal than the launch of another cannabis retailer. Raised in the Cherry Hill area, Kardos grew up just a few miles from the diner and remembers visiting Sage with his parents as a child. When he returned to South Jersey after more than a decade building his career in the cannabis industry on the West Coast, the opportunity to bring new life to the familiar property felt like a natural homecoming.
“The Sage Diner was part of the landscape I grew up with, so being able to bring this building back to life while keeping the Sage name means a lot to me,” said Kardos. “I’ve spent nearly two decades learning every side of this industry, and I wanted to bring all of that experience home and create a place where people can find great cannabis, get honest guidance and feel comfortable whether they’ve been shopping for years or are completely new to it.”
Sage occupies the existing approximately 5,700-square-foot former diner property, retaining the distinctive setting rather than replacing it with a conventional retail buildout. The location sits at the Route 73 and Church Road intersection, a prominent Mount Laurel location.
Today, Sage offers adult-use cannabis products selected with an emphasis on quality, variety and knowledgeable customer service. The dispensary is designed to serve a broad range of consumers, from experienced flower enthusiasts interested in growers, cultivation and new genetics to customers looking for convenient formats such as pre-rolls and edibles, as well as those who appreciate additional guidance when navigating an increasingly diverse cannabis market.
That experience informs Sage’s approach to product selection and education, as the dispensary aims to create an environment where customers can ask questions, explore products and develop relationships with knowledgeable staff.
“We’re not trying to make cannabis complicated,” Kardos said. “There is an incredible amount of choice available today, and that can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Our job is to know the products, understand what makes them different and help customers find what makes sense for them.”
Sage’s current operation reflects that emphasis on accessibility and convenience. The dispensary is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers in-store shopping, curbside pickup and delivery.
The opening also marks the realization of a project that began with Kardos’s recognition that the former diner’s zoning and distinctive physical space presented an unusual opportunity. Sage was conceived as a way to give the landmark a new purpose while retaining the name and character that connected it to the surrounding community.
Sage’s philosophy extends beyond the products on its shelves. The company describes its mission as reshaping cannabis culture through community connection, education and giving back, with an emphasis on becoming part of the communities it serves.
For Kardos, that community connection is ultimately what brings the story full circle: a South Jersey native returning home with nearly 20 years of cannabis experience and opening a business in a place he remembers from childhood.
“I’ve worked in cannabis in a lot of different places and in a lot of different roles,” Kardos said. “Coming back to where I grew up and building something in a place that was already meaningful to the community is incredibly rewarding. The Sage location has a history here. We’re excited to add the next chapter.”
Sage Dispensary is located at 1170 NJ-73, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit Sage Dispensary.