4Front Ventures Corp. has activated electrical power at its flagship facility in Matteson, Illinois and is set to open its third Illinois dispensary in Norridge by the end of the quarter.

The Matteson facility spans approximately 250,000 sq. ft. of production space, including the use of energy-efficient technologies such DLC-certified LED lighting, HVAC systems utilizing compressor wall technology, and fully automated irrigation and fertigation systems. It offers around 43,000 sq. ft. of flowering canopy in Phase I, roughly five times 4Front's current flowering canopy in Illinois, which can cost-efficiently scale to over 67,000 sq. ft. as demand for 4Front products increases. There is also over 70,000 sq. ft. of dedicated manufacturing space, including an edibles kitchen, automated production lines for packaged flower and pre-roll manufacturing and an extraction laboratory capable of serving not only 4Front's needs but also robust private-label and toll processing programs. 

This development allows 4Front to introduce its entire suite of brands and products to the Illinois market, including edibles, packaged flower, pre-rolls, infused products and concentrates, delivering quality cannabis at accessible price points at its Mission dispensaries and partner dispensaries statewide.

"Our Matteson facility vastly expands our operational capabilities in Illinois, which will cement 4Front as a leading cultivator and manufacturer within the state," said 4Front CEO Andrew Thut. "This facility will allow us to capture significant market share in one of the most attractive cannabis markets in the U.S. and will not only facilitate improved quality but will also significantly scale our throughput capabilities and materially lower our production costs as we deliver high-quality cannabis products that align perfectly with what Illinois customers are looking for, both today and in the future.”

Through the rest of the first quarter of 2024, 4Front will commission equipment and automated production lines and will plan for its transition out of its existing Elk Grove facility. The company expects to introduce its genetics to the new building in the second quarter of 2024 and begin scaling up flower production in advance of full-scale manufacturing operations this spring and summer.

4Front’s new 3,700-sq.-ft. dispensary is designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. Reflecting its refreshed Mission brand aesthetic, the dispensary is capable of serving more than 1,000 customers per day at five dedicated point of sale stations. The store design enhances customer flow and allows patrons to explore 4Front’s brands and products, as well as interact with staff for recommendations and guidance.

Strategically located in an area with minimal competition and abundant parking, the dispensary is close to Chicago O'Hare International airport. The shopping center is home to prominent co-tenants such as Old Navy, Ulta, AT&T, Lane Bryant, and more. A major regional mall featuring more than 120 tenants — including Target, Best Buy, Kohls, Dick's, Nordstrom Rack, Hobby Lobby, Chipotle, and Panera — is located directly across the street.

“Our upcoming Mission retail store in Norridge, set to open in April, is ideally situated in Cook County in a highly visible retail area, neighboring popular big-box retailers and directly opposite a major regional mall with significant parking,” Thut said. “Further expansion plans include additional stores in the vibrant Chicago area, one in a sought-after shopping district and another strategically placed in a high-traffic location with limited competition. Ultimately, our flagship facility in Matteson will power a full footprint of 10 retail stores in the state, with headroom for a significant wholesale channel, allowing us to deliver on our plan to double 4Front revenue in the next 12-18 months across an efficient, cash-flow positive operation."