Owners Of 'World's Largest Dispensary' Open First IL Shop In Waukegan

WAUKEGAN, IL — The mayor of Waukegan is expected to be on hand Monday for the opening of a new pot shop.

Las Vegas-based cannabis company Planet 13 Holdings is set to open up its first location in Illinois at 4000 Northpoint Blvd.

The 4,000-square-foot location will be the company's fourth dispensary.

According to Planet 13, it operates the "world's largest marijuana dispensary" in Las Vegas, as well as the largest dispensary in California.

Company officials also recently announced the acquisition of a Florida firm with more than two dozen dispensaries.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Northpoint Boulevard location is scheduled for Monday morning.

Planet 13 representatives said customers who show up on opening day can spin a "giant digital wheel" for special giveaways and prizes.

And at noon, Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor is due to tour the store with the company's co-CEOs — Larry Scheffler and Bob Groesbeck.

“We’ve built a reputation as a differentiated, experience-based retailer and we’re excited to finally showcase that famous Planet 13 experience for customers in Illinois,” Scheffler said in a statement.

Both executives held positions in municipal government prior to the legalization of marijuana in Nevada in 2017.

Scheffler, a printing company proprietor, was a Henderson councilman from 1990 to 1995. And Groesbeck, a lawyer, was the mayor of Henderson from 1993 to 1997.

“We have high expectations for this dispensary," Groesbeck said, "given the attractiveness of the Illinois market and our prime location in a rapid growth shopping and entertainment district in the ‘Chicagoland’ metro area.”

The new dispensary is due to be the third to open up shop within a radius of about a half-mile around the intersection of Route 41, Route 120 and South Waukegan Road.

The American Place Casino, currently operating out of a temporary site, is also located nearby.

Updated