A new restaurant concept may be coming to the long-tricky space at Wilson and River Street in downtown Batavia.

At last week’s Batavia Committee of the Whole meeting, officials heard a proposal from Chad Gravenites, who owns The GOAT Burger + Cocktail Bar in Batavia and the Arthouse restaurant in Aurora, to transform the space that formerly housed Gaetano’s and Thorabella’s into a new multi-level dining establishment.

“I want to get it back to the Gaetano's feel where it was busy all the time,” Gravenites said during the meeting. “It was packed all the time. People loved it. Batavia people still talk about it.”

Good news: officials indicated support for the project.

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Sunday brunch is a time-honored tradition — and you won’t find a better value in the Tri-Cities than at The Little Traveler’s Atrium Café. In fact, it was named Best Brunch in West Suburban Living’s 2024 Best of the West.

For just $12.95, enjoy a full spread of fresh, house-made favorites, from fluffy omelets with crispy bacon to Swedish pancakes and Crab Cakes Benedict. Trust me, there’s a reason so many local folks have been coming back for decades.

💥 Holiday Almanack is out! Check out The Little Traveler’s 2025 Holiday Almanack & Look Book for upcoming events and festive new products.

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☑️ Solar proposal: Kane County officials are exploring whether to redevelop the former Fabyan Parkway jail site in Geneva as a community solar field, sell part of the land, or pursue a mix of both approaches as they look to boost revenue.

☑️ Project pause: A developer has delayed its proposed 83-home Claibourne Farm housing project near St. Charles after residents and city officials raised concerns about density and overall fit with surrounding neighborhoods.

☑️ New school debut: Brightmont Academy, national private school that offers year-round one-to-one instruction for grades 1–12, has opened a new St. Charles campus with a grand opening event set for Monday (12/15).

☑️ Illness dashboard: Sick season is now in full swing. Visit Kane County’s respiratory illness page to get weekly reports on the status of RSV, COVID-19, and flu levels across the county.

🔒 Crime spree: A Geneva woman was taken into custody after being charged with multiple felonies — including hate crimes and aggravated battery on a police officer — following a series of violent confrontations with officers and neighbors.

☑️ Commuter caution: The "Friends of La Fox Metra Station" group is warning fellow riders about unpredictable platform changes and safety concerns at the station, urging some passengers to consider boarding in Geneva instead.

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☑️ Local artist spotlight: Batavia sculptor and former city administrator Bill McGrath continues to grow his craft during “refinement” (don’t call it retirement), creating original metal artwork and serving on the board of Water Street Studios.

☑️ New local symbol: Elburn unveiled its first official village flag during its Christmas Stroll event, showcasing the results of a community design contest that will become permanent when the new Village Hall opens in spring 2026.

☑️ Next-generation artists: The St. Charles Arts Council is inviting K-12 students in Kane County to submit artwork for their 2026 Student Art Show, which opens in early February. Get more details.

🔒 New homes, deep roots: Elburn honored five longtime families for their generations of community service by naming new streets after them in the latest phase of the Blackberry Creek subdivision development.

☑️ Seasonal adventures: Primrose Farm, the free living history farm on St. Charles' west side, is offering a wide range of winter programs for kids, families, and homeschoolers, from story time and camps to creative workshops.

Portofino and Alter Brewing are among the venues featuring live music this week, but make sure to check out the events section below — Pollyanna Brewing has a couple of special holiday performances coming up as well.

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The holidays hit different around here. From Batavia’s wreath-laden downtown streets to Geneva’s Christmas Walk and Santa’s cottage in St. Charles, the Tri-Cities are magical this time of year — and Valor Carts is thankful to be a part of it.

Built right here by a local family, Valor is all about supporting this community. Their all-electric, street-legal carts aren’t just a ton of fun — they bring folks together to make memories with the people they care about.

Valor wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year filled with family and great memories.

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☑️ Last call: Locals shared fond memories of visits to Eddie Gaedel Pub & Grill after the downtown Elburn business announced that it will close on December 27 after 13 years in business. See a message from the owners.

☑️ Coastal vibes cometh: Playa — the new bar and music lounge coming to St. Charles — will open with a special New Years Eve party on December 31.

✳️ Super fan finds: Shopping for the ultimate sports lover this season? Urban Artisan in Geneva is packed with fun, fan-favorite gifts and one-of-a-kind items that any die-hard Chicago team supporter will love. Check out their sports-themed selection.

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☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this wooded, five-acre St. Charles property with a 1930 brick home and huge heated outbuildings that sold for just over $1M.

✳️ Need a trustworthy local realtor? Get in touch with Tri-Cities expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or chriswallacere.com.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.

☑️ Leaf pickup delay: Geneva has pushed the final round of curbside leaf pickup to next spring after heavy snow halted this year’s remaining collection.

☑️ City meetings:

☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.

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🎟️ Syrup Making Class | Tue 12/16, 5:30PM | Maple Leaf Coffee House, STC | Learn to make peppermint or gingerbread syrups with step-by-step guidance.

🎟️ Holiday Wine Dinner | Wed 12/17, 6PM | Preservation, Geneva | Four-course seasonal menu paired with sommelier-selected wines.

☑️ Sip, Sparkle & Shop | Wed 12/17, 6–9PM | Geneva Wine Cellars, Geneva | Jewelry showcase with wine specials, light bites, and holiday shopping.

🎟️ Flashlight Candy Cane Hike | Fri 12/19, 4:30–7:30PM | Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, STC | Explore a candy-cane trail by flashlight and solve puzzles for treats.

🎟️ Yuletide on Tap: Quartet by Candlelight | Sun 12/21, 6–8PM | Pollyanna Brewing, STC | Holiday classics performed live by New Vintage Strings.

🎟️ The Nutcracker: City Lights | Sun 12/21, 7:30PM | Batavia Fine Arts Centre | A jazz-infused twist on the classic holiday ballet with Chicago flair.

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