More pot shops
Four more weed companies submitted applications to the city to open recreational marijuana stores, bringing the tally of potential shops in Chicago to seven.
Four more weed companies submitted applications to the city to open recreational marijuana stores, bringing the tally of potential new pot shops in Chicago to seven.
The latest round of companies are seeking approval to open stores on Weed Street near Clybourn Avenue shops, in a landmark building in the River North neighborhood, and right across the street from popular Randolph Street restaurant Girl & the Goat.
The city’s Zoning Board of Appeals would need to approve the applications, and the marijuana stores would need licenses from the state.
Recreational marijuana sales began in Illinois on Jan. 1. Existing dispensaries can apply to open a second store, and many are vying for top locations in Chicago.
The city banned weed stores along the Magnificent Mile, the Loop and in large chunks of River North along the lakefront, and created seven zones for marijuana sales.
Initially, no more than seven dispensaries will be allowed in each zone. Dispensaries also cannot open within 1,500 feet of each other.
Some areas of the city are more coveted among weed companies. Those include River North, which pushes up against the restricted zone, and Randolph Street, known for its array of dining spots.
PharmaCann is seeking approval to open a location at 444 N. LaSalle St. PharmaCann’s existing dispensaries, recently rebranded to Verilife, are in Ottawa, Romeoville, Arlington Heights and Aurora.
The three-story building at 444 N. LaSalle St. is a Chicago landmark. Its most recent tenant was English Bar & Restaurant. Also known as the Veseman Building, it was constructed around 1880, according to a city report. The Art Deco building’s third floor and terra cotta façade were added in 1930.
PharmaCann is the fourth company to apply with the city to open a store in River North. Last month, MOCA Modern Cannabis applied to open at 214-232 W. Ohio St., Cresco Labs at 436 N. Clark St. and Greenhouse Group at 612 N. Wells St.
West of the loop, Nature’s Care Company, a fifth company, is seeking approval to open a store at 810 W. Randolph Street. The company, which already runs a dispensary in suburban Rolling Meadows, is owned by New York-based Acreage Holdings.
The two-story brick building at 810 W. Randolph is the former home to butcher shop Olympia Meats. In recent years, many meatpackers and food distributors have moved out of the Fulton Market district amid soaring real estate values and big developments including McDonald’s new headquarters and Google’s Midwest headquarters.
Acreage spokesman Howard Schacter declined to comment on plans for the potential Randolph location.
The Tribune reported last week that the two other companies are eyeing nearby locations, but they have not submitted applications with the city. They submitted letters to the city’s zoning administrator, requesting permission to apply to open there.
According to those letters, which the Tribune obtained through an open records request, Windy City Cannabis is interested in 807 W. Randolph, next door to the Girl & the Goat restaurant. A block west, NuMed Chicago is considering 935 W. Randolph.
Windy City Cannabis, which already operates dispensaries in Justice, Worth, Homewood and Posen, also applied with the city this week to open a store at 923 W. Weed Street.
Nearby, MedMen applied for a permit in a shopping center at 1001 W. North Ave., kitty-corner from yoga apparel seller Lululemon’s first-of-its-kind flagship store with meals and drinks.