SALINE, MI – A beloved Saline ice cream shop has closed, but plans continue to make the space the city’s first marijuana dispensary.
Mickey’s Dairy Twist, 751 West Michigan Ave., announced on its Facebook page on June 12 that the business has permanently closed.
“We cannot thank you all enough for all of your support these last few days and over the years,” the post reads.
Read more: Beloved Saline ice cream shop could become city’s first marijuana dispensary
The building has been sold to AM & BH Industries, LLC, which plans to transform the location into a medical marijuana dispensary while also pursuing permits to sell adult-use, recreational cannabis as well. The developer plans to keep the building’s 1,350-square-foot footprint, and demolish the residential building on the lot for parking.
Despite some backlash from community members, the Saline City Council granted a zoning permit for the location in May. This permit allows the plans to proceed to the final stages with city planners.
Read more: Saline OKs permit for marijuana dispensary at longtime local ice cream shop
Before work can begin, though, developers must submit a final site plan to the city’s planning commission, Saline Mayor Brian Marl said. The potential dispensary’s location, however, does fall within the boundaries city leaders selected for medical and recreational marijuana facilities.
Residents have voiced concerns with the location’s proximity to a day care. If the nearby daycare was considered a school, then it would require a 1,000-foot buffer from any marijuana business, but it does not qualify as a school under city rules, city attorney Thomas Forshee said.
Read more: Outcry over dispensary near day care prompts pause in marijuana permitting in Saline
Regardless, this project has caused Saline leaders to halt new marijuana business permitting as they look over city rules due to these concerns.
This hold on processing new applications does not affect Mickey’s Dairy Twist or other existing projects.
Bonnie McComb, Mickey’s Dairy Twist owner, also has heard from those upset about the potential marijuana dispensary, but said the decision to sell is ultimately up to her.
“While waiting for the sale to go through, I’ve struggled with people calling my blessing a backdoor deal, a crying shame, a way to steal my icon of the community. I’m sorry, but Mickey’s is not the property of Saline, it’s mine,” McComb said.
Running Mickey’s has been a “heartfelt experience,” McComb said, adding she is proud of the shop’s impression on the community but is excited for retirement after running the business for five years.
“AM & BH (Industries) has given me a chance to reap benefits of my sacrifices for a nice retirement,” McComb said. “I know they’ll do right by the community as well.”
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