Last summer, the Joliet City Council yanked off the agenda a proposal to open a marijuana dispensary at the old Baker’s Square.
Jun 2, 2023 10:59 am CDT | Updated Jun 2, 2023 11:45 am CDT
JOLIET, IL — Now that Joliet has a new mayor and two new city council members, the Joliet City Council is set to vote on Tuesday night whether to put a marijuana dispensary at the abandoned and falling apart vacant Baker’s Square restaurant building at 2211 West Jefferson St.
Joliet Patch broke the news of the plans to open a marijuana dispensary at the Baker’s Square last July 5. However, when the project went to the City Council, the city’s elected officials never took a vote on the proposal.
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Tuesday night’s meeting agenda calls for an ordinance approving a special use permit to allow an adult-use cannabis dispensing organization at 2211 W. Jefferson Street.
According to City Council memos:
Emerald Coast, on behalf of its operations partner Justice Cannabis Company, seeks a special use permit to allow a cannabis dispensary at the former Bakers Square restaurant property. Joliet’s zoning ordinance allows adult-use cannabis dispensaries in the general business district, subject to the approval of a Special Use Permit.
If this Special Use Permit is approved, the dispensary shall be operated under the name “Bloc” as will all other dispensaries operated by Justice Cannabis Company.
Justice Cannabis Company, a national cannabis company founded in Chicago, owns and operates cannabis cultivation centers and dispensaries in several states. Emerald Coast was awarded a conditional adult-use cannabis dispensing organization license by the State of Illinois in 2022.
The Joliet City Council reviewed the Special Use Permit request at its August 16, 2022, meeting; however, a decision was not rendered since the motion to approve was not seconded nor was there an accompanying motion made to deny the request. Emerald Coast has provided additional information to City staff regarding economic benefits and job creation.
The company anticipates hiring local/union trade workers and spending approximately $1.1 million in renovations to the existing building, parking lot and landscaping. Upon construction completion, the building valuation is expected to increase two-fold and expected to generate an additional $14,000 in property taxes annually, 2022 property tax is $14,880.35.
Once open for business, the company expects to generate $12 million to $20 million in gross receipts, of which Joliet will collect a municipal sales tax on 3.0 percent of the gross receipts at the store.
The company intends to employ around 20 people, with six to 12 employees onsite at any given time. Average salary within the organization is approximately $60,000 per year, with total annual payroll of approximately $1.2 million. Competitive benefits including paid vacation, 401K, and health plans.
Joliet Patch broke the news of the plans to open a marijuana dispensary at the Baker’s Square last July 5. File/John Ferak/Patch