A Great Story During These Difficult Times

Daniel Shapiro • Jun 10, 2020

After operating Heritage Trail Mall in Wilmette for 26 years, Lisa’s family business faced a flashpoint. The landlord decided to impose a draconian increase in her rent and other “take it or leave it” options. She could not afford to stay and needed to relocate quickly. Her award-winning multi-vendor wholesale and retail business was extraordinarily popular in Wilmette with thousands of customers patronizing the mall year after year. In fact, it had long been a popular destination for interior designers, set decorators for films, theaters and television. Closing the doors was not an option.

After a diligent search of potential places to relocate her business she found the perfect spot at 190 Northfield Rd in Northfield. Yet among the obstacles standing in the way, Lisa needed a text amendment and a special use before she could open her doors. Initially these requests came with some reluctance from Northfield as they cited parking and other land use issues as possible concerns. Undeterred, Lisa decided to move forward.

Shortly before the Plan Commission hearing, tragedy struck. Lisa’s husband for over 30 years suddenly died. Nonetheless, she attended the hearing and as the room filled, every person who attended the hearing was there to show their support for her. After a receiving unanimous recommendation, each person in attendance approached Lisa with a hug, a handshake or a gentle embrace. Needless to say, the emotional response was both heartwarming and inspirational. At the last meeting before the “Shelter in Place” order from Governor Pritzker, the Village Board enthusiastically accepted the Plan Commission’s recommendation and adopted the necessary ordinances for Lisa to relocate to Northfield.

The new location is a 9,600-square-foot warehouse previously used for Ferrari detailing and storage. Lisa’s proposed mix of uses will be approximately 60% retail and wholesale with the remaining 40% for warehouse/storage and office. The warehouse component of the businesses will be used for storage of goods and will have enough space to store three standard sized motor vehicles. It is expected to generate about $1,000,000 in annual sales comprised of approximately 70% revenue from retail sales and 30% from wholesale sales.

Of course, with the current concerns of COVID- 19 it may be several months before the doors open, but during this time Lisa will not rest. She doesn’t rest, she perseveres despite the odds and the adversities. She has a loyal following of customers and vendors counting on her and she intends to make sure they know they have a new “home” to go to. Our office was grateful to have worked with Lisa on this project. She has inspired us and showed us how good will and decency overcomes the challenges we face.

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The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently announced the next steps to issue 185 Conditional Adult Use Cannabis Dispensing Organization Licenses to applicants selected in three lotteries in 2021. The Conditional Licenses will be issued to applicants selected in the 2021 lotteries in three waves: Wave 1, on or before July 22, 2022. Naperville-Chicago-Elgin BLS Region. Wave 2, on or before August 5, 2022. Other BLS Regions with multiple licenses available. Wave 3, on or before August 19, 2022. BLS Regions with a single license available. Next Steps Principal officers must submit a Principal Officer Affirmation form no later than July 1, 2022. The IDFPR will then verify all principal officers are not delinquent in taxes or owe money to the State of Illinois and notify any applicant if a principal officer is not tax compliant. The applicant will then have 60 days after notification to prove tax compliance. Any applicant with a principal officer who is not tax compliant after the 60-day period shall forfeit their awarded license, which will then be offered to the next eligible applicant. The IDFPR will also verify that no principal officers have a financial interest in more than 10 Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary licenses. Any applicant with a principal officer who may become a principal officer in any combination of more than 10 Early Approval Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses, Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses, and Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses will forfeit any license they are awarded. After IDFPR issues the Conditional Licenses, it will conduct background checks of principal officers. Importantly, after receiving a Conditional License, the Conditional Licensees will have 180 days to select a physical storefront location and obtain the full Adult Use Dispensing Organization License (the full list of criteria to be met may be found here ). If a Conditional Licensee is unable to find a suitable physical location within the 180-day period, they may request an extension of 180 days.
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