Is This the World’s Chicest Cannabis Shop?
Welcome to Times Square's newest high society. In a neighborhood better known for bright lights and tourist traps, Charlie Fox is blazing an entirely different kind of trail at 719 7th Avenue. Think less head shop, more old-world apothecary; less dispensary, more boutique. This 6,000-square-foot, three-floor temple to tasteful toking—designed by Brooklyn-based design firm Home Studios—is reimagining what a cannabis shopping experience can be.
"Our dream is to be the first true lifestyle brand in cannabis," explains James Mallios, a founding partner of Charlie Fox, citing Dunhill's evolution from modest tobacconist to luxury lifestyle empire as inspiration. This vision manifests in Charlie Fox's eponymous product line, thoughtfully organized into four distinct moods: relax, sleep, socialize, and create. Each category features premium flower, vapes, pre-rolls, and gummies, all crafted with natural ingredients sourced from New York growers.
“Purchasing cannabis can be intimidating—just like wine," Mallios notes. "As a customer, I was often intimidated when I purchased cannabis. I didn't know what a terpene was or the difference between rosin and resin. But the ‘budtenders’ always assumed I did—the same way many wine captains assume their guests have memorized the great years in Bordeaux.” To address this, Charlie Fox emphasizes education and approachability, employing certified cannabis sommeliers who focus on sustainable, organic products and natural ingredients. The emphasis on lower THC doses ensures users maintain control over their desired outcomes—a thoughtful touch that speaks to the brand's commitment to responsible consumption.
Inside, Home Studios has crafted a luxurious, welcoming environment—each floor offering increasingly intimate experiences. "We wanted to create a multifaceted retail experience that promotes connection, communication and flexibility," explains Oliver Haslegrave, Founder and Creative Director of Home Studios. The ground level welcomes with commanding millwork and stone elements, softened by delicate textures and warm neutrals. A custom mural by artist Kimmy Quillen adds unexpected whimsy, while lighting from prestigious designers like Paavo Tynell and In Common With bathes the space in gentle illumination.
The second floor unfolds like an elegant apartment, where intimate seating areas and custom sconces by Home Studios complement lighting from Pinch, creating an ideal setting for private consultations. "We imagined the three floors like an old townhouse, one that becomes more intimate and personal as you move through," says Creative Director Julia Levi. "We kept the core design inspiration consistent throughout the space and then layered more details so there's a gradual sense of discovery as you go up.”
The third-floor "den," slated to open in Spring 2025, will serve as a versatile space for immersive experiences and exclusive gatherings. Throughout the journey, playful elements surprise and delight—like an oversized funhouse-inspired mirror, featuring Charlie Fox's signature psychedelic check pattern.
In a city that's witnessed countless retail innovations, Charlie Fox manages to offer something genuinely novel: a cannabis shopping experience that feels less like a transaction and more like a sophisticated social ritual. It's a space where the purchase of pre-rolls and flower (never "joints" or "bud," as Mallios makes clear, thank you very much) becomes as natural as selecting a fine wine—and just as elegant.
"When they walk into Charlie Fox, have their doorman receive a Charlie Fox delivery bag, or bring a Charlie Fox holiday gift package to a dinner party, it should be no different than the identical experience from a premium luxury retail store," Mallios says. Consider this Times Square's newest destination for those seeking to elevate their spirits, in more ways than one.
You Might Also Like
