The former Graham’s 318 Coffeehouse building (now called “The Kate at 318”) in downtown Geneva is vacant no more.

Several months after a mid-summer announcement, Bread & Vine Geneva opened its doors for this first time earlier this week.

Bread & Vine is a popular Galena-based bistro led by acclaimed chef and restaurateur Eric Bonnetain. Known for its French fare, the bistro offers coffee and fresh pastries in the morning, including treats like flavored macarons, croissants, pain au chocolat, and giant eclairs.

In the afternoon and evening, guests can also grab sandwiches, salads, bowls, and more — plus enjoy wine and specialty drinks by the glass.

After holding soft opening sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, they’ll be closed Thursday before a big grand opening planned for Friday (11/14). Once my wife sees that list of pastries above, I suspect a weekend visit might find its way onto our agenda…so maybe see you there.

Check out their menu and follow along on their Facebook page for ongoing updates.

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Tri-Cities real estate expert Chris Wallace stopped by The Birdie Collective — an exciting new indoor golf sim facility in St. Charles — to get the full story straight from founder Derek Cooper.

What started as a DIY garage project evolved into a pro-level setup built for anyone looking to practice, play a full 18, or just hang out with friends in a top-tier simulator bay. Go behind the scenes and explore the one-of-a-kind space in this video.

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☑️ Local food crisis: Local leaders, nonprofits, and policy makers gathered in Kane County to warn that SNAP benefit reductions are driving a rise in food insecurity and called for community support as more families struggle heading into winter.

☑️ Bank robbery: St. Charles police are working with the FBI to investigate an armed robbery on Saturday (11/8) at the US Bank on Smith Road after the suspect fled on foot and remains at large.

☑️ Feeling squeezed: Batavia officials recently dedicated a meeting to discussing housing affordability, exploring options like ADUs, duplex conversions, and zoning changes while navigating concerns about property values, staffing, and rental oversight.

🔒 Blacksmith shop: Developer Shodeen has filed a third request to demolish Geneva’s 1840s blacksmith shop after losing a court challenge, reigniting a debate between preservationists and those pushing for redevelopment of the prominent Mill Race Inn site.

☑️ Coyote concerns: A Batavia resident urged officials to take action after a series of increasingly bold coyote encounters along Mahoney Creek, prompting a discussion about safety issues and potential wildlife management strategies.

☑️ Exploitation case: A Geneva man has been charged with 16 counts of possessing and distributing child pornography videos following a multi-agency investigation.

☑️ Otherworldly spectacle: In a rare occurrence, the northern lights lit up skies across the Chicago suburbs on Tuesday night, treating residents to one of the most vivid and colorful displays in decades. See some photos.

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☑️ Rolling through history: The latest video in this fascinating series on the historic (and now abandoned) Fox River Trolley system focuses on the Batavia stretch — covering its scenic path and its role in several key moments of the city’s rich history.

☑️ Filling the gap: Local community groups and churches have organized food and supply drives at various locations that will collect donations on Saturday (11/15) to support Fox Valley pantries facing rising demand after SNAP benefit cuts.

☑️ Mayor’s breakfast: Batavia’s city, school, park, and library leaders presented to a packed room about how the community is growing in several key ways, even if some major projects remain stuck in limbo. Read the full recap.

☑️ Hometown honor: Deborah Foote, who helped launch the Electric Christmas Parade 25 years ago, has been named the community guest of honor for this year’s November 29 event in downtown St. Charles.

☑️ Notable grads: St. Charles District 303 announced four graduates as the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2025, honoring their achievements in medicine, business, entrepreneurship, and space aeronautics with a public ceremony on Thursday (11/13).

✳️ Seasonal magic: St. Mark’s Church in Geneva will celebrate the season with Carols in the Chapel on December 5 and a live performance of A Christmas Carol on December 6 — two free community events filled with music, storytelling, and holiday spirit.

Short notice, but if you don’t have lunch plans for today, Club Arcada is hosting an ugly sweater holiday-themed lunch and show featuring Vito Zatto — a mix of comedy, singing, and a Thanksgiving-esque meal.

Aside from that, it looks like another busy weekend for local live music fans.

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Kurt B wasn’t kidding around when he left a review for Dragon Fire Coffee’s Black Dragon Blend:

That pretty much says it all. And remember, it’s roasted daily in Warrenville and they offer free local delivery in the Tri-Cities.

☑️ Big moves: Large-scale commercial deals in Batavia and St. Charles — including the acquisition of Emagine Entertainment and the sale of a Trader Joe's strip mall — highlight ongoing investment in the Tri-Cities market.

☑️ Ribbon cutting: AudioNova recently celebrated the grand opening of a new Batavia hearing-care clinic led by longtime audiologist Dr. Keri Oke, offering residents flexible in-office and virtual hearing support.

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🎟️ Romeo & Juliet | Thurs 11/13 - Sat 11/15, 7PM | Geneva High School | See local drama talent perform the classic.

☑️ Winterfest Art Market | Fri 11/14 – Sun 11/16 | Water Street Studios, Batavia | Explore a diverse array of handcrafted art and goods from local artists and makers.

☑️ Rustic Fox Holiday Market | Fri 11/14 – Sun 11/16 | The Rustic Fox, N. Aurora | Shop 200+ vendors with food trucks, music, activities, and Santa visits.

☑️ EV 101: Driving Electric | Fri 11/14, 7PM | UUSG, Geneva | Learn the basics of owning, charging, and choosing an electric vehicle.

☑️ Science Party | Fri 11/14, 6-8PM | American Science + Surplus, Geneva | Don costumes for a night of experiments, demonstrations, games and prizes.

☑️ Craft & Crumbs Bazaar | Sat 11/15, 10AM–2PM | Heritage Woods Batavia | Shop handmade goods, baked treats, and enjoy cozy community fun with raffles.

☑️ Special Author Visit with Amy Thielen | Sat 11/15, 2–4PM | Geneva Library | Meet the acclaimed Midwestern chef and hear stories from her culinary journey.

🎟️ Make Your Own Gnome | Sun 11/16, 11AM or 1PM | MoJo Handbags Et•Cetera, Batavia | Build your own cute gnomes during Sunday Craft Club.

☑️ Evergreen Chili Cookoff | Sun 11/16, 11AM | The Evergreen Pub, STC | Enter your best chili and compete for bragging rights — or just taste.

🎟️ Meet the Artist Afternoon | Sun 11/16, 1–4PM | Industrial Treasures, STC | Enjoy live drawing, refreshments, and conversations with local makers and artists.

✳️ The Ultimate Puzzle Throwdown | Sun 11/16, 3:30-5:30PM | Zen Loft Collective, Batavia | Grab some friends and compete to win prizes by solving a 500-piece puzzle the fastest.

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