The Jersey Joint, a brand new dispensary in Glassboro, New Jersey, just opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a welcoming day of fun events.
Co-owners Dustin Alvino and David Avedisdian proudly stood with their team of budtenders and staff to commemorate the day, alongside Borough of Glassboro Mayor John E Wallace III, to cut the ceremonial green ribbon.
“Bringing Jersey Joint to our community is another milestone, in my opinion, for our town,” said Mayor Wallace. “Not only is it owned by local guys, a local family, but they’re bringing in a product that will help you.”
The dispensary is just a few minutes from Rowan University. In 2023, a reported 42% of young adults ages 19-31 reported using cannabis over the past year. Decor like a green-covered photo wall for selfies and ceiling-high shelves make the place a spacious, yet welcoming facility. The crowd of people at the grand opening was able to spread with ease, enjoying complementary refreshments and top cannabis brands for sale.
A range of local artists performed for visitors from open to close. This included Dallas Mallone, The Azures, Zephyr, and DJ Emery. Unique vendors ranging from a Reiki Master to a masseuse lined the parking lot to make sure guests had a memorable time.
How The Dispensary Came to Be
For co-owner Dustin Alvino, the path to success was not without its complications.
“I was charged with possession at 19 years old in college in Buffalo, New York. And it broke me, truthfully, for a while, but I ended up going back to school and getting my degree. But the scar remained. I was a felon.”
Post graduation, Alvino moved to Las Vegas to grow a successful career in real estate. He’s now brought that expertise back to his hometown with the purchase of Jersey Joints’ 15,000 square foot facility. The extra space will serve as a hub for an expanded merch selection, hold concert performances, and may even become a consumption lounge.
Alvino would never expect that a felony charge could finally help his future, rather than hurt it.
“I moved back because the rules changed… if you were arrested for cannabis and that was your only crime in your life, you got preferential licensing treatment.”
“And, you know, I can now share what has always been my passion with everybody else”. He continued, “This is something that has obviously changed my life for the worse in the very beginning and now for the better. It’s only right that I share that opportunity with, you know, my family and other great people.”
Cousins, best friends from growing up, and even a sweet grandmother made an appearance for the family-filled dispensary’s grand opening. Many are employed by Jersey Joints, building cabinets, assisting with social media, or designing the layout to support Alvino and Avedisdain’s mission of “quality over quantity.”
“Generally, I’d say this is life coming full circle. This really is like a redemption story.”
The Jersey Joint team also owns a few buildings in the area, some directly nearby, where plans to make complementary businesses like a food joint have taken root. It’s clear Alvino is ready to call New Jersey home again, building and buying related businesses along the street where Jersey Joints resides.
David Avedisdain is the business partner and co-owner of Jersey Joint. His experience as a lawyer was instrumental in overcoming the legal hurdles often faced by new dispensaries.
“I’m an attorney and I started out representing applicant entities in South Jersey, and I was introduced to Dustin [Alvino] through his grandmother, and we connected immediately.” He continued, “We’ve been working on this project for several year,s and we became partners through that process in a really sort of natural way. It happened that we all had elements and skill sets and resources that complemented what needed to be done.”
Avedisdain spoke with pride about finally opening, which has been in motion since December 2021.
“This is the realization of the dream,” said Avedisdain. “You can imagine when you work on something for several years, it feels like it will never come to be. Once it finally comes to be, it’s surreal. We’re happy just to be moving forward.”
Why Join the Jersey Joint
Cannabis themed dog togs from brand ‘doggIjuana’ and smell-proof bags are available in the spacious front lobby. “We have plans to really continue building out the space,” explained Alvino.
Other highlights of the new dispensary include an authentic 1950s telephone booth decked out in reefer madness art, 3D printed marijuana leaves covering the walls, and solely having one kiosk to encourage more personalized ordering. A delivery system should be set up by the end of September.
Jersey Joint’s owners prefer the personal and individualized approach to helping customers, even limiting their dispensary to just one kiosk. Says Alvino, “If you walk in my store, you will notice that when a budtender comes out and greets you, we want to have an interaction. We want to know what’s going on with you, whether you’re a patient or just a recreational user. We want to understand the customer because understanding the customer is what gives you that great experience. And for us, the focus is on the customer experience, because that’s what’s going to make the success of our business.”
The Jersey Joint’s website features topical blogs about cannabis consumption. These include tips on how to properly clean your bong, the different ways you can get high, and even the scientific reasons for the munchies.
The Jersey Joint is roughly half an hour from Philadelphia. They offer exclusive store discounts for products like edibles and carts. The dispensary also prides itself on paying its budtenders above the industry standard.
The Jersey Joint is the newest dispensary to open in the Garden State. As of 2025, there are a total of 254 licensed cannabis dispensaries in New Jersey, including 199 recreational-only, 6 medical-only, and 49 hybrid dispensaries that serve both recreational and medical patients.
Everybody on staff has a connection to the two owners, whether they be family friends from childhood or even an actual cousin. It seems like everyone can find their place at Jersey Joint.
(Full disclosure this is an advertorial paid for as part of an ad deal with Heady NJ.)
