Aces Dispensary Set to Open in Plainfield Before Holidays

Aces Dispensary is preparing to welcome customers in Plainfield, Illinois, with plans to open its doors before the end of December 2023. The dispensary, located at 12627 S. Route 59, will become the second marijuana retail outlet in the village. Owner Monsaur Othman confirmed that the final inspection by the Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation is the last step before opening, following all necessary village clearances and staff training.

Othman aims to make Aces stand out with a unique design inspired by poker, reflecting his personal passion for the game. “I’ve always had a love of poker, and I wanted to design the space more like a poker lounge,” he stated. The dispensary features a 3,500-square-foot layout designed to resemble a high-end retail space rather than a traditional dispensary.

Inside, customers will find plush sofas, a coffee bar, and a custom poker table serving as the check-in desk, alongside a checkout area modeled after a casino cash-out desk. An Instagram-friendly exit showcases decor inspired by “Alice in Wonderland,” designed to create an exclusive atmosphere. Othman expressed his desire to move away from the typical hippie aesthetic of dispensaries, aiming for a more upscale and engaging experience. “What we’re trying to do is create an exclusive feel,” he said.

As a part of the customer experience, Aces will offer complimentary coffee and hot chocolate with any purchase. Additionally, the dispensary will introduce promotions tied to poker-themed products, allowing customers to collect playing cards that can be redeemed for discounts and prizes. “We wanted to do some different things to get people interested,” Othman added.

Alongside the dispensary, Othman owns nearly three acres of land that includes a large lawn area for future events. He has expressed interest in hosting activities such as smoke events, casino nights, concerts, and farmers markets. Plans are also in discussion with the village to potentially host a Christkindlmarket next holiday season. “The space is well-suited to host a lot of people,” he stated.

Originally, the dispensary was set to open in September or October, but delays in utility hookups and scheduling the final inspections pushed the timeline back. Othman hopes to have a soft opening the week before Christmas, with a grand opening planned for the following week.

After opening, Aces will operate with slightly different hours compared to other local dispensaries. Its hours will be from 08:00 to 21:00 Monday through Thursday, 08:00 to 22:00 on Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 to 21:00 on Sundays. Othman, who has lived in Plainfield for ten years, emphasized the importance of this location to him. “Plainfield is growing every day. I think we have a great location, and I think it will help the community as it continues to grow,” he said.

Based on sales from his three other dispensaries in Darien, Elgin, and Bloomington-Normal, Othman has hired 25 employees for the Plainfield location and anticipates sales between $7.5 million and $9.5 million in its first year. He projects an annual revenue of $10.5 million following the initial year, which could contribute approximately $250,000 annually to the village, assisting in offsetting taxes for residents.

The village has not commented on the projected sales tax revenue. Othman, who transitioned to the cannabis industry after a career in healthcare, expressed excitement about the opening of Aces. “Plainfield took a slower approach to getting into this business,” he noted, referencing the village’s cautious stance compared to nearby areas like Joliet and Naperville. He concluded, “Now, I want to show everybody how it’s done.”