Longtime Mexican Eatery In BurlCo To Close, Dispensary Planned For The Location

EVESHAM, NJ — The Mexican Food Factory will soon permanently close after more than 40 years, the Evesham restaurant told Patch. A cannabis dispensary is set to replace the family-owned restaurant.

Dec. 30 will mark the last day for the restaurant, which opened in 1979.

A prospective cannabis business offered to purchase The Mexican Food Factory and put a dispensary at the location, the restaurant confirmed on June 29. But at the time, the establishment remained open until further notice. Read more: Dispensary Could Replace Longtime Restaurant In Burlington County

Sativa Wellness, LLC has received at least two necessary approvals for its proposed dispensary: licensure to operate a cannabis retailer in New Jersey and a nod from the Township Council to advance its plans to operate at 601 Route 70 W — The Mexican Food Factory's address.

But before opening, Sativa Wellness will need to send its application to the Township Planning Board and gain the governing body's approval.

Sativa Wellness previously intended to open on Centre Boulevard, receiving the council's approval in March 2022. But after the business opted to change locations, the council passed another resolution June 28 to express support for the retailer to operate at 601 Route 70.

The council resolution indicates that Sativa Wellness has satisfied basic conditions for opening the proposed dispensary, such as obtaining state approval and selecting a location where the township allows for the zoning of such businesses. The governing body's support is conditional and subject to the Planning Board approving a conditional-use application.

Up to five cannabis retailers can operate in Evesham. The first — Highway 90 — opened last weekend. Additionally, Enlighten Health & Wellness LLC intends to open a dispensary at the site of the now-shuttered Marlton Diner.

New Jersey currently has 79 dispensaries offering recreational and/or medical cannabis, according to state data. Six of them are in Burlington County.

A View of Evesham first reported The Mexican Food Factory's closing date.