Alderman Urges Chicago to Reject Old Town Smoke Shop
Ald. Brian Hopkins asks the city to deny two business licenses for Exotic Corner at 1201 N. Wells St.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Ald. Brian Hopkins has urged the city to reject tobacco and retail food license applications for Exotic Corner, a 1,247-square-foot shop planning to sell food, tobacco and vaping products at 1201 N. Wells St. The applications remain under consideration by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, and the city issued a stop-work order on the site on Nov. 2.
Why it matters
Hopkins argues the shop did interior and exterior work without required permits and extends signage over the public way without grants of privilege. Residents say the storefront changes came without notice to the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association, which surveyed its members.
Of 588 survey responses, 584 (99.3 percent) opposed the applications, and three existing tobacco licenses are located within 150 feet of the proposed 1,247-square-foot shop. The city has not yet ruled on the applications, and the status of the alleged unpermitted work is unresolved.
The players
Brian Hopkins
Brian Hopkins is the alderman representing Chicago's Old Town area, who sent the city a letter urging denial of the Exotic Corner applications.
Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is the Chicago city agency reviewing the tobacco and retail food license applications and issued the stop-work order.
Old Town Merchants and Residents Association
The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association is the neighborhood group that surveyed its members and opposed the proposed shop.
The details
Exotic Corner seeks tobacco and retail food licenses for a shop that would sell perishable and nonperishable food, tobacco products and vaping products but would not serve hot food. Neighbors noticed large brightly lit signage, vape and smoke product window displays and metal security gates in late October, and Pam Farley first noticed the storefront changes on Wells Street on Oct. 26.
Timeline
May 2026: Asad Yawari filed to establish Exotic Corner Inc.
Oct. 26, 2026: Pam Farley first noticed storefront changes on Wells Street.
Nov. 2, 2026: Hopkins sent his opposition letter, and the city issued a stop-work order.
Nov. 5, 2026: The survey tally reached 588 responses while the applications remained under review.
Market Landscape
The dispute reflects how Chicago's licensing process for tobacco retailers now plays out when a neighborhood group and alderman oppose a new shop near existing licensed sellers. The city's review of these applications will show how far the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection weighs local opposition against existing tobacco retail density.
Old Town residents and nearby businesses could see a new tobacco and vaping retailer open on Wells Street if the city approves the licenses. The outcome will determine whether signage and interior work that neighbors say lacked permits must be corrected before the shop operates.
The takeaway
Neighborhood opposition can slow a license application, but the city's review process decides the outcome. Residents who want input should track the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection's decision on the Exotic Corner applications.
Further reading
For other new and shuttered storefronts in the city, see Openings & Closings coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Block Club Chicago.
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