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Commission recommends packaged‑liquor sales at Fry Tobacco (968 Dundee) over neighborhood objections, 6–1
Summary
The commission voted 6–1 to recommend council approve a conditional use allowing packaged liquor sales at Fry Tobacco (968 Dundee Avenue); owner Joma Musa said recent Delta‑8 regulatory changes removed roughly 40% of his inventory and urged diversification.
The Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6–1 on July 6 to recommend city council approve a conditional use to add packaged liquor sales to an existing tobacco shop at 968 Dundee Avenue.
Staff told the commission the proposal would convert the tenant space and does not include on‑site consumption; any liquor license would require a separate review by the Liquor Commission and city council. The property is nonconforming for parking (18 on‑site spaces versus a 37‑space baseline for the building’s full occupancy), but staff said that adding packaged liquor to the existing retail tenant did not change the parking requirement in this instance and recommended approval subject to packet conditions.
Owner Joma Musa said the recent regulatory crackdown on certain hemp‑derived products reduced his product offering by about 40%, creating a significant revenue shortfall. "Because of the impact these changes, I am proposing the addition of liquor sale to help expand our offer and ensure the long term success of our store," Musa told the commission, adding that the operation would maintain strict age verification and security procedures.
Two neighbors spoke during public comment to voice caution: one longtime resident said she did not want to see another liquor outlet undermine an existing long‑standing liquor store in the area; another neighbor cited parking and outlet density concerns and said they would follow the application as it moved through the system.
Commission discussion noted the change in state and local regulation that affected the applicant’s inventory and asked about hours, staffing, and how parking complaints are handled; applicant said one employee would run the business initially and that he and a family member would staff the store. The commission approved the motion to recommend council approval 6–1. The chair asked the liquor commission and city council to consider the concentration of packaged‑goods licenses along the corridor when reviewing licenses at later stages.
The matter now moves to the Liquor Commission and city council for final licensing and any conditional conditions attached to that process.
