Downtown pot dispensary ‘great addition to our neighborhood’
After months of jockeying for city and state approval, Cresco Labs on Thursday opened Chicago’s first downtown pot shop.
Cresco’s latest Sunnyside dispensary, located at 436 N. Clark St. in River North, also became the first store in the city to exclusively sell recreational weed.
“We’re happy to help set an example here in River North of what normalized cannabis looks like with a store on a main corridor where people shop, live and work and we couldn’t be happier to provide everyday wellness products to the River North neighborhood,” Cresco spokesman Jason Erkes told the Sun-Times.
Susan Morrow, who serves as the landuse development director of the River North Residents Association, was the shop’s first customer. She bought a few packs of infused gummies and coffee beans and some preground marijuana to make her own edibles.
“I am the person that grew up and never touched it,” said Morrow. “As it’s become legal, it’s become a fun thing to dabble with as opposed to drinking. Now, in this time that everybody’s under so much stress, it’s been a great way to get some sleep.”
Both the residents association and Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) backed Cresco’s bid to set up shop in the neighborhood, where the major pot firm is already based.
“Cresco views this neighborhood as their neighborhood and I know their business plan is one that both embraces and respects the local community,” said Reilly, adding, “my office stands ready to offer any assistance we can to support this new business.”
Sunnyside is only accepting online orders. Once customers receive a text that their order is ready, they can check in at a waiting area to get in line to pick up their products.
“So many of the neighbors were not looking forward to it,” Morrow said, “but we worked with all the dispensaries to really show that this is a great addition to our neighborhood.”