🍸 Al Capone’s Hideaway

Did you know that nestled within the quiet, winding roads of Valley View in St. Charles, you’ll find a relic of our area’s Prohibition-era past?

The property, situated along the Fox River, has seen more than its fair share of twists and turns over the years. It was in the news this week after Shaw Media reported that its current owners (the same family behind Alley 64 in St. Charles and The Dam Bar in Geneva) are focused on growing a Batavia-based cannabis infusion business called High 5ive Brands.

That is interesting, but it was the building I found particularly intriguing — I was unaware of its history.

A storied past: Built in 1917, the building that would become Al Capone’s Hideaway started its life as Reitmayers’ Beer Garden. During the 1920s, Al Capone's gang transformed it into a covert hub of underground revelry.

Hidden cellars, bathtub gin and a secret beer-pumping system from a concealed brewery made it a safe haven for those seeking to evade the law and enjoy a defiant beverage. Legend even suggests that a valve in the men's bathroom could switch beer back to water if the police came calling.

The Hideaway era: For several decades, Al Capone’s Hideaway & Steakhouse allowed guests to dine in a historic, authentic setting. The restaurant wore its notorious past with pride, creating a speakeasy-style vibe and adorning its walls with photos of Capone and his crew — and even featuring menus riddled with bullet holes.

The restaurant abruptly closed its doors in 2012, much to the chagrin of local fans.

Resuscitation attempt: The current owners saw potential, acquiring the property in 2014 with the intent of of reviving its former glory as “Hideaway 64,” a family-friendly bar and restaurant. They were ultimately stymied by regulatory challenges, most notably the denial of a liquor license in 2016.

A closer look: No one knows for certain what the property’s future holds, but it certainly remains an interesting piece of local heritage. Check out the links below if you care to dig deeper.

• See it yourself: Here’s a video slideshow featuring shots of the exterior and interior of the building.

• Gallery: Check out more old photos of the property.

• Read: An Elgin Courier-News article about the establishment.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Riding in style: Elburn officials are exploring a proposal to allow golf carts on village streets, inspired by a resident petition pushing for the fun, eco-friendly mode of transportation.

☑️ Lower taxes: In an Instagram post, Mayor Burns of Geneva announced that City Council approved a 7.26% reduction in the 2025-2026 property tax rate — the lowest in 44 years.

☑️ River ready: Upcoming Kane County projects to enhance Fox River access will include electronic signs and new watercraft launches, including one near Batavia’s Clark Island.

🔒 Economic agreements: Geneva officials were expected to approve grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act that would allocate more than $300K to improvements at several business properties.

☑️ Leadership changes: Bill Lenert was elected President of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County while Michael Zakosek will step into the role of Kane County Engineer and Director of Transportation.

☑️ Fox River stabilization: Construction began this week on a retaining wall replacement and other stabilization measures along the riverbank just south of the Wilson Street Bridge in Batavia. Learn more about the project.

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Local awards: The Batavia Chamber announced Robert “Bob” Hubbard as the 2024 Batavia Citizen of the Year, Batavia MainStreet as this year’s Spirit of Batavia honoree and the Peace Bridge Initiative as the Batavia Community Impact Award winner.

☑️ Charity win: This year’s Kane County Toys for Tots program brought in a major haul thanks to community donations at more than 200 drop-off locations in the area. Get more details and learn how to contribute.

☑️ A job well done: The St. Charles Park District made significant improvements to several facilities and amenities around town this year, including Primrose Farm and several parks. See how those updates are benefitting the community.

☑️ Champion of the arts: Batavia officials and community members came together to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Water Street Studios on Friday (12/13). See photos from the event.

☑️ Post-holiday planning: Geneva announced its holiday garbage and Christmas tree pickup schedule.

☑️ It’s Dr. Tom to you: Tom Skilling — the recently retired TV meteorologist who hails from Aurora — was awarded an honorary doctorate by NIU last weekend.

🎸 Live music

If you’ve been meaning to take in a holiday-themed show or two this season, now’s your final chance. Quite a few are on the schedule at local venues this weekend.

Plus a shout out to TCC reader Jamey Darnold, who will be performing at a singer-songwriter showcase Christmas Celebration at Oak + Bean in Oswego on Friday night.

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🎁 Santa’s secret stash: Last-minute gifts for the whole family

The Little Traveler is your holiday headquarters for last-minute shopping, chock-full of one-of-a-kind goodies. Check out these 20 gifts under $20 — perfect for stocking stuffers, secret Santa surprises and rounding out your list.

💥 Can’t decide on a gift? Now through Christmas Eve, when you purchase $100 in Little Traveler gift cards, you’ll receive $120 in bonus certificates to spend in 2025 — $10 in each month.

🛍️ Local biz

☑️ Downtown turnover: The Asian fusion restaurant Shallot (previously known as Pho Xich Lo) on 3rd Street in Geneva will close permanently on December 23. It will operate during its normal hours through the weekend.

☑️ They have the meats: In this newsletter’s early days, I wrote a feature on the enthusiastic, hardworking folks behind the local DAMO BBQ food truck. So it was thrilling to learn that they’re opening a physical location in Pingree Grove on Friday (12/20).

☑️ Final chance: Batavia MainStreet put out a “last call” for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in being considered for the 2025 cohort of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops. Get vendor info and apply here.

☑️ Local deals: Get buy-one-get-one beverages at Northern Coffee Co. in Batavia this Saturday (12/21) from 10AM-2PM and half-price sushi at moto imōto in St. Charles on Tuesdays.

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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🎟️ Holiday Movie Night: Polar Express | Fri 12/20, 6:30PM | Playhouse 38, Geneva | Watch the holiday classic on the big screen with cocoa and snacks.

☑️ Hawaiian Christmas Luau | Sat 12/21, 11AM-Close | Flagship on the Fox, STC | All-day food/drink specials, plus a DJ and limbo contest at night.

🎟️ Fun with Santa | Sat 12/21, 1-4PM | Revelry 675, Batavia | Bring the kids for food, treats, a snowball station and photo ops with St. Nick.

🎟️ 3-City Wine Tour | Sat 12/21, 3-7PM | Geneva Winery (Batavia, Geneva, STC) | Ride a festive bus to enjoy wine and snacks at all three Tri-Cities locations.

🎟️ Wicks & Sips Solstice Celebration | Sat 12/21, 6:30-9PM | Flower of Life Yoga and Wellness Center, STC | Craft your own candles plus yoga, snacks and beverages.

🎟️ Ugly Sweater Karaoke Party | Sat 12/21, 9PM | Rock N Ravioli (Arcada Theatre), STC | The event name says it all! Get those vocal chords ready.

☑️ State Street Artisan Market | Sun 12/22, 11AM-5PM | Art History Brewing, Geneva | A curated mix of handmade, local original art. And beer.

🎟️ Lunch with The Grinch | Sun 12/22, 1-3PM | Rock N Ravioli (Arcada Theatre), STC | A fun-filled lunch with photo ops, raffles and ornament-making.

🎟️ Billy J Kramer: Do You Want to Know His Secrets? | Sun 12/22, 3-5PM | Moonlight Theatre, STC | An interactive life-in-song performance.

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌤️ Today: High 34F | Low 29F | Moderate

❄️ Friday: High 32F | Low 12F | Flurries

🌤️ Saturday: High 28F | Low 16F | Sun peeking

🌤️ Sunday: High 35F | Low 24F | Sun remains

📖 Thanks for reading

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