Plans are in place for a Lincolnwood cannabis dispensary, but it is not certain when doors will open.
At the Feb. 15 village board meeting, trustees were expected to vote on a request from Hinsdale-based GRI Holdings, LLC for a three month extension to start construction on its proposed dispensary inside a vacant building at 4656 W. Touhy Ave.
Last year after the village amended its zoning laws allowing for one dispensary inside Lincolnwood, GRI applied for the license, which was granted in December. The village code mandates the applicant to start construction within three months after the date of registration, which was granted in December.
However, construction has yet to begin.
GRI CEO Gabriel Martinez explained to Pioneer Press/baiduhai that part of the reason for the delay is that the state of Illinois hasn’t been issuing licenses for cannabis dispensaries recently due to ongoing litigation from some applicants
More Top Picks Baskets Plants
.“Due to the current litigation over the social equity dispensary licenses, GRI hasn’t been awarded the conditional licenses that it is eligible to receive so we need more time to open our Lincolnwood location,” Martinez wrote. “We are very excited about the opportunity to open our Lincolnwood store but can’t open without the state-issued license so we need more time to allow for the litigation to be resolved. “
In a January letter to Lincolnwood Finance Director Denise Joseph, Martinez added the approximately 5,000-square-foot building also needs a new roof and air conditioning equipment, making the completion of the building that much more difficult.
While asking for a three month extension, Martinez stated optimism the dispensary will open.
“We are incredibly excited about placing a dispensary in Lincolnwood and look forward to a successful relationship with the village for many years to come,” Martinez said.
Village staff supported the extension request.
“We feel this would best protect the village’s interest in the event of unforeseen issues with the current litigation,” Community Development Director Scott Mangum told village board trustees at a Feb. 1 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Mangum noted another extension could be granted if necessary.
“We are hopeful that they get this litigation settled and we can move forward,” Mayor Jesal Patel said at the Committee of the Whole.
The item was placed on the consent agenda for the Feb. 15 village board meeting, where items are rarely discussed.
While waiting to start construction of the interior, demolition of the existing space has begun with Martinez anticipating that to be completed by the end of this month.
This is the latest development following last September’s vote amending the village’s zoning laws allowing for one dispensary.
Martinez explained in an interview the reasoning why the company was attracted to Lincolnwood, which would be their first location in the region.
“The proximity to the Edens Expressway, and we felt Lincolnwood would be a great community to be involved with,” he said. “We look forward to working with the village moving forward as well.”
Joseph wrote in an e-mail the village is projecting approximately $200,000 in sales tax revenue for FY 2023, with that number dependent on when the dispensary opens.
She said for a full year, the village is anticipating roughly $380,000 based on the state’s sales data.