Just about a mile away from Polaris Fashion Place is AYR Dispensary, which has quickly become a standout destination for both medical patients and recreational consumers. With a grand opening on June 13, this dispensary has been steadily gaining traction, offering a convenient, welcoming, and educational experience for cannabis enthusiasts.

MedicateOH had the privilege to sit down with the Regional Director, Carla Davidson, and the new location’s General Manager, Madison Evans, to bring you the scoop.

AYR LEWIS CENTER

From Car Wash to Cannabis Haven

The building’s previous life as a car wash might seem unexpected, but it allowed for a creative transformation. The team gutted the interior, repurposing the space into a sleek, modern dispensary with one major perk—a covered drive-thru.

“We have a beautiful covered drive-thru now, so you don’t have to worry about bad weather,” shared Davidson. 

This unique feature sets them apart from competitors, offering a quick and easy way for customers to pick up their orders without leaving their cars—a major plus in Columbus traffic.

The Parking Lot

For medical patients, seniors, or anyone with mobility challenges, easy parking can make or break a dispensary visit. AYR’s thoughtful layout removes barriers, ensuring everyone can access cannabis comfortably and safely.

Open, Inviting, and Hassle-Free

One of the most striking features of AYR Dispensary is its open floor plan, which breaks away from traditional dispensary layouts to create a more inviting, accessible, and stress-free shopping experience. The open floor plan eliminates barriers. The open layout benefits:

  • Medical patients who may need extra space or time to browse
  • Customers with mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) who don’t have to navigate tight spaces
  • Anxious or overwhelmed shoppers who prefer to take in the environment before engaging with a budtender

“We don’t want anyone to feel rushed or trapped. You can come in, look around, and decide how you want to shop,” the Regional Director explained.

Pictured: Lobby and Sales Floor

Education as a Core Value

One of AYR’s standout features is its commitment to cannabis education. Budtenders undergo extensive training, including:

  • In-depth terpene and cannabinoid education
  • Comparative product training (helping customers find alternatives)
  • Monthly continuing education to stay updated on industry trends

“We want our team to be as knowledgeable as possible so they can guide customers, whether they’re first-timers or seasoned users,” Evans emphasized.

Standout Discounts & Rewards

AYR offers some of the most competitive discounts in Ohio, including:

  • 30% off for veterans, indigent patients, and industry workers (applies to both medical and recreational)
  • A tiered loyalty program (earn more points the more you spend)
  • Exclusive app features (order history tracking, deals, and updates)

House and Local Brands: Premium, Affordable & Exclusive

AYR has cultivated its own lineup of in-house products, ensuring consistent quality and value across three distinct tiers:

HZ (Premium Brand)

  • Rosin concentrates & live rosin disposables
  • Solventless, high-terpene extracts for connoisseurs

Kynd (Quality at Scale Flower)

  • Top-shelf flower with balanced potency
  • Those who want quality without breaking the bank

Later Days (Budget-Friendly)

  • Affordable, approachable flower (great for beginners or daily use)
  • Lower testing percentages but still terpene-rich

“We want to offer something for every budget without sacrificing quality,” explained Davidson.

Despite being an MSO (multi-state operator), AYR dedicates at least 40% of its shelf space to Ohio-based producers, including but not limited to:

  • Galenas 
  • Grow Ohio 
  • UB Good

“We could easily fill our shelves with just our own products, but that’s not what community is about. Ohio has incredible growers—we want to highlight them,” the AYR duo elaborated.

Why Choose AYR?

In a market where many dispensaries sell similar products, AYR differentiates itself through:

✔ A welcoming, stigma-free environment

✔ The convenience of a weather-resistant drive-thru

✔ Highly trained, friendly staff

✔ Clean, modern facilities (including a customer restroom)

✔ Strong support for local Ohio brands

“We’re happy, go-lucky people who want to share cannabis with the world—come hang out with us!” – The AYR Dispensary Team

Final Thoughts

By ditching the “pharmacy-style” model, AYR Dispensary has created a modern, accessible, and inclusive retail experience. Whether you’re a cannabis newbie or a seasoned connoisseur, the open layout ensures you’ll feel welcome, informed, and comfortable from the moment you walk in.

Website: https://ayrdispensaries.com/ohio/lewis-center/      

Hours of Operation: 

Address: 8990 S Old State Rd., Lewis Center, OH 43035   

Mon – Thu:  9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Fri – Sat:  9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sun:  10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Phone: (614) 634-9420     

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Author

  • I have been active in cannabis since 2013, starting as a volunteer signature gatherer for Ohio Rights Group and their Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment ballot initiative. I have stayed active in my advocacy by working on different initiatives and helping others advocate at the Statehouse with our legislators. I have worked in the retail space of the industry since 2018, and have taught cannabis curriculum at the Cleveland School of Cannabis and Hocking College. I have earned numerous certificates in cannabis, as well as a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore for the Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Master of Science program.

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