Located just off Interstate 95 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Mother Earth Wellness is doing its part to define the connoisseur experience for New England’s cannabis consumers. With a sleek design, top-shelf products, and the only dispensary drive-thru window on the East Coast, the one-of-a-kind shop attracts everyone from the cannacurious to sophisticated shoppers from across the region by providing an experience that is both luxurious and convenient.
Stepping into Mother Earth is like entering a meticulously designed sanctuary. Despite its industrial history, the space feels both modern and warm. The dispensary reclaimed a historic mill building that originally housed the Narragansett Machine Company, which opened in 1890. Co-owner Eddie Keegan and his team accepted the challenge of transforming the cavernous space into a retail environment without obscuring the abundant vintage charm. The result of their efforts is a stunning blend of past and present—a dispensary that boasts more than 1,000 square feet of custom-fabricated marble countertops, high-end antique lighting fixtures, and natural wood ceilings.
Keegan, who also co-owns the Kitchen & Countertop Center of New England located nearby, brought his design expertise into the careful interiors choices at Mother Earth. His vision for the dispensary was clear: create a space that feels sophisticated yet approachable; minimal yet functional.
“Eddie installed everything himself,” said co-owner and Chief Executive Officer Joe Pakuris. “He cut and fabricated all the tile and countertops and worked with our carpenters to build all the displays.
“We wanted classy but comfortable,” Pakuris continued. “When you walk in, you’re in a nice, well-lit space, but it’s just really relaxed and easy on the eye. We wanted it to be an experience.”
One of the most striking features of the dispensary is the fully functioning waterfall that serves as the centerpiece of the retail floor. This isn’t just any waterfall, though. The eye-catching feature is surrounded by seventy-five cannabis strains, each flower meticulously displayed for customers to see, smell, and even puff before making a purchase. The attention to detail creates a unique-in-the-region, immersive sensory experience for customers.
Hands-on innovation is clearly at the heart of Mother Earth Wellness, and perhaps this is most evident in the store’s drive-thru, which Pakuris brought to life after thinking about the location’s proximity to I-95. Inspired by the convenience of a Dunkin’ Donuts shop, the drive-thru isn’t just a novelty; it’s a game-changer for the local industry, allowing customers to order cannabis as easily as they would a cup of coffee. Equipped with a digital menu that changes daily, the three-lane setup has the capacity to queue up to seventy-five cars at a time, ensuring customers can enjoy a quick and efficient experience even during peak hours. Drive-thru customers may choose from a variety of options, whether they’re pre-ordering online and simply picking up their purchase or making selections on the spot.
The entire process is seamless, from placing an order to picking up the purchase, and takes just three to seven minutes. The approach is particularly appealing to people on the go, whether they’re local residents or travelers just passing through.
Pakuris is particularly proud of the drive-thru. “I had the idea as soon as I got the dispensary license,” he said. “As soon as the retail end was working, I had in the back of my mind that I wanted to do a drive-thru, so I began working on it.”
Mother Earth Wellness isn’t just for casual cannabis users. The dispensary has become a destination for serious connoisseurs who seek out exclusive products. The shop has built a reputation for offering high-quality flower that is grown locally by forty craft cultivators. Each of the cultivators operates in a space covering less than 10,000 square feet, which allows for a “small-batch” experience. The contrast with products in nearby states like Massachusetts and Maine—where large-scale production sometimes takes precedence over the artisanal approach—is unmistakable and plays to Mother Earth’s regional benefit.
“Our flower is always fresh,” Pakuris said. “We change our inventory multiple times a day. That’s why people come to us: They know they’re getting the best.”
He also said the freshness factor has attracted a loyal customer base that spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and beyond. Locals and tourists alike are willing to travel significant distances to shop at Mother Earth, according to Pakuris, because they know they can find products that aren’t available anywhere else, like the shop’s proprietary strains.
“We have people from all over New England who come to Mother Earth Wellness just because they can buy our Super Orange Soda in pre-roll form infused with oil, and then they can buy that same Super Orange Soda in flower, a full-spectrum vape, and in edible form,” he said.
Mother Earth also offers homemade edibles crafted on the premises with the same attention-to-detail.
“We individually wrap every single gummy we manufacture; we don’t just throw them in a tin,” Pakuris said. “We wrap every cookie, every chocolate, so when you get a bag, the stuff doesn’t all melt together. And if you’re going out, you can just take one without having to bring the whole bag with you. All these crazy little things we’ve done have made this place what it is today. There’s nothing else like it.”
The dispensary serves approximately 2,000 customers a day—a testament to its popularity and the quality of its service and products. The robust loyalty program doesn’t hurt, either: Regular customers earn 5 percent cash back on their purchases, a perk that keeps them returning.
Inside the dispensary, customers enjoy multiple ways to shop. They may browse the displays, interact with knowledgeable budtenders, or use self-service kiosks to place their orders. The kiosks are particularly popular with customers who prefer to take their time exploring the menu and making their selections at their own pace, according to Pakuris. Once an order is placed, it’s ready for pickup in three minutes or less, ensuring even those who opt for the in-store experience can enjoy a quick, efficient transaction.
Because the owners and staff are attuned to the desires of their customers, Mother Earth Wellness soon will extend its hours of operation until 1 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, catering to customers who work shifts and those from nearby institutions of higher education who prefer to shop in the middle of the night.
Mother Earth Wellness
Address: 125 Esten Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 352-4300
