ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Hani Aqel introduced Greenleaf Vape and Tobacco to residents in Moline last August. The 22-year-old owner figured it was time to expand his business, but is now questioning his decision.
He signed a lease for a building in Rock Island, tapping into a new line of costumers.
But with Rock Island's ban on new vape stores, he's afraid the new storefront might not see anybody for the rest of the year.
"You know, I'm in a lease for five years," Aqel said. "I can't get out. If I could get out, I'd get out. But I can't, so I'm stuck."
For city leaders in Rock Island, this is a time to reflect. Their neighbors in Moline recently placed a cap on its number of vape shops, giving Rock Island officials cause to pause.
"It's not a permanent situation," Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said. "We just wanted to sit back, take some time, and look at our ordinances involving vape shops. See if we have the verbiage the way we want. We were getting a lot of request, and we didn't want to be inundated with a lot of vape shops, so let's just take a break."
Thoms said he understands the level of business vape shops bring in, but says he doesn't want it to be the only thing his town is known for.
"It's great to have business in town," Thoms said. "It's great to have the slot machines, it's great to have the vapes or the convenience stores, but everything in moderation. You get too much of one thing, and it ruins it. It can start sending the wrong pace for your city or wrong look for your city."
As Oct. 15, 2024, Rock Island currently has four dedicated vape shops. There are 30 places altogether that sell vaping products.