The owners of an Elgin smoke shop want the city’s permission to sell packaged liquor after their sales dropped 40% following the city’s ban on THC-derivative products, like Delta-8 and Delta-9.
Abdul and Goma Musa’s request that they be allowed to expand Friday Tobacco at 968 Dundee Ave. into an adjacent unit so the brothers can sell packaged liquor won the endorsement last week of the Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission. Their application for a conditional use permit now heads to the Elgin City Council.
Abdul Musa, who runs the store’s day-to-day operations, said many customers have told them they usually stop at a liquor store after visiting the tobacco shop, which is what prompted them to consider diversifying what they sell.
The idea is to become a one-stop shop, Musa said. “You can buy what you need in the tobacco shop and (then) you go buy alcohol,” he said.
Elgin City Council members passed a ban on synthetic and THC-derivative products, like Delta-8 and Delta-9 edibles, in February 2025. The ordinance prohibits the sale, advertising or public delivery of those products at Elgin businesses, including gas stations and smoke shops.
Last month, sweeping legislation targeted at THC products was also signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker. Among the regulations is a prohibition on those items being sold anywhere other than at licensed cannabis dispensaries beginning in November 2026.
Local and state officials have said they are concerned with the lack of regulation surrounding such products, some of which can have an effect similar to cannabis.
Last year, about a dozen tobacco shop owners joined together to protest the ban but weren’t able to sway the council. Of those 12 shops, only four remain, Musa said.
The brotheres estimated they’ve lost 40% of their business after removing synthetic THC products from their shelves.
“Essentially, since they did the ban, our revenue went downhill,” Abdul Musa said. “I kinda got the sense it was going to happen sooner or later. They started doing (bans) in other states and cities. (But) since we were a newer store, it hit us harder than I thought. … We lost half of our inventory.”
The business has had to pivot since then.
“We invested in different accessories. We have more niche products. We have a bigger selection of electronics available,” said Musa, adding that they’ve also started selling fine cigars.
The shift has gone well with the support of their customers, who came out to show their support for the shop after last year’s ban, he said. But the brothers believe the future of the shop depends on being able to add packaged liquor to what they sell.
In order to apply for a city liquor license, Friday must first be given a conditional use permit, which will also allow them to expand into a 1,100 square-foot vacant space adjacent to its current location. No major interior or exterior changes need to be made, Musa said.
A variety of alcohol products will be sold in addition to tobaccos, vaping products and cigars, he said. The shop could expand its daily hours to 10 p.m.
“Despite the challenges, we have continued serving our customers by focusing on tobacco products, fine cigars and vape products,” Goma Musa said. “We have worked hard to maintain a clean, professional and welcoming business.”
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The shop needs to be able to sell packaged liquor to “help expand our offering and help assure (its) long-term success,” he said. “This proposal is not about changing the character of our business; it’s about adapting to major changes in our industry.”
Should the council approval the special use permit, the brothers will still need to secure liquor license approval from the city’s Liquor Commission before their plan can be put into action.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.