Reluctant Darien Council OKs Vape Shop Request

DARIEN, IL – Darien aldermen this week approved a drive-thru for a planned vape and tobacco shop, but they expressed reservations about the type of business.

The shop, called Dr. Smoke, is planned for 1005 75th St.

Officials said the business is allowed to sell vape and tobacco products by right at the place in question, which once housed a bank.

But aldermen said they wanted the city to look at limiting the number of such shops in town. Dr. Smoke would be the third one, officials said.

The council plans to discuss policies on vape shops at a later meeting on goal-setting.

Alderman Tom Chlystek said a few Planning and Zoning Commission members were not fans of the new vape shop.

"I'm not a big fan of it either," he said. "The optics aren't the greatest coming from the east side of town seeing that. But it is a permitted use. My logic is that if they're going to be here already, we might as well make them successful."

Mayor Joseph Marchese said the city has looked into the company and found no problems at its two other locations.

The council voted 6-1 in favor of the drive-thru request, with Alderwoman Mary Sullivan as the lone no vote.

When Alderman Ted Schauer was called to vote, he paused and sighed before expressing approval.

Marchese noted a lot of emotion went into the decision-making process.

"While we would have liked you to open a restaurant there instead, we will welcome you to the Darien business community," the mayor said. "As with all of our businesses, we wish nothing but success for you. Your success is our sales tax success."