Aces Dispensary Set to Open as Plainfield’s Second Cannabis Store

Aces Dispensary is poised to become Plainfield’s second marijuana retail outlet, with plans to open before the end of December 2023. Owner Monsaur Othman announced that the business is awaiting its final inspection from the Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation, following the completion of necessary village clearances and staff training. Located at 12627 S. Route 59, Aces aims to create a distinctive shopping experience inspired by poker themes.

Othman, who operates three other dispensaries in Illinois, expressed his vision for Aces as a high-end retail space rather than a conventional cannabis store. The 3,500-square-foot facility features a lounge-like atmosphere with plush seating, a coffee bar, and a check-in desk designed to resemble a casino cash-out counter. “I’ve always had a love of poker, and I wanted to design the space more like a poker lounge,” Othman stated.

In addition to its unique interior, Aces will offer customers complimentary coffee and hot chocolate with their purchases. The dispensary plans to implement a loyalty program that includes poker-themed playing cards, allowing customers to redeem them for discounts and prizes. Othman emphasized that Aces aims to provide “a lot more of an experience than most dispensaries.”

Community Engagement and Future Plans

Othman owns nearly three acres of land, which includes a spacious lawn area designated for various community events such as smoke events, casino nights, concerts, and farmers markets. He mentioned discussions with the village of Plainfield about hosting a Christkindlmarket in the upcoming holiday season. “The space is well-suited to host a lot of people,” he noted.

Originally slated for a September or October opening, Aces faced delays due to utility hook-ups and scheduling issues with state inspections. Following the final inspection, Othman plans a soft opening the week before Christmas, with a grand opening anticipated shortly afterward. The dispensary will operate on hours that differ from other local dispensaries, opening from 08:00 to 21:00 Monday through Thursday, 08:00 to 22:00 Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 to 21:00 on Sundays.

Othman, who has lived in Plainfield for a decade, views the new dispensary as vital to the community’s growth. Based on sales data from his other locations in Darien, Elgin, and Bloomington-Normal, he has hired 25 employees for Aces and anticipates first-year sales between $7.5 million and $9.5 million. He projects that annual revenue could reach $10.5 million after the initial year, translating to approximately $250,000 in tax revenue for the village.

“I think it will help offset other taxes for the residents,” Othman remarked, highlighting the potential positive impact on the community’s finances. The village has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these revenue projections.

Having transitioned into the cannabis market five years ago after a career in healthcare, Othman expressed enthusiasm about bringing Aces to Plainfield. He acknowledged the village’s cautious approach to entering the cannabis business, but he is eager to demonstrate the potential benefits of this industry. “Now, I want to show everybody how it’s done,” he stated.