Elmhurst Shop Says Why It Was Open: Police

ELMHURST, IL — An Elmhurst store was found earlier this month to be in violation of the governor's stay-at-home order by allowing customers inside, a police report says. The issue was at the Little Shopper Cigarettes & Vape store at 697 N. York St.

According to the report, an officer saw several customers entering and leaving the business between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 8. As a tobacco and vape store, it was among the "nonessential" businesses ordered to be closed under the governor's order in March.

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In a recent interview, the store's manager, Sam Salim, told Patch that because his business also sells milk and bread, among other items, it was allowed to be open as long as it followed social distancing rules such as requiring coverings. After the interview, Patch filed a public records request for the police report.

According to the report, shortly after 1 p.m. May 8, two officers entered the business and asked the store clerk what was happening. The clerk told them he was aware of the governor's order to have the business closed to customers. He said he left the door unlocked after cleaning glass and forgot to relock it, the report said. The clerk said he knew he wasn't allowed to serve customers inside the store and apologized.

The clerk closed the door and locked it as the officers left, saying he would only serve customers at the door, police said.

The police notified Erin Jason, the city's business development coordinator, about the incident.

In late April, Elmhurst police broke up a gathering at 100 South Chop House, 100 S. York St. The owner, Dominic Ranieri, later told Patch that he allowed a gathering for an employee whose grandmother had died earlier in the day. He said the employee helped him when Ranieri was suffering from addiction.

In early April, Elmhurst police were twice called to the Going for Greatness Gym, 503 W. Third St., saying the business appeared to be open.

Last week, Mayor Steve Morley issued a public letter to the governor, urging him to allow the opening of businesses sooner in Elmhurst and other suburbs.