🎭 The stories behind the shop owners

As of this past weekend, the Boardwalk Shops are back — and this year’s class is as inspiring and culturally rich as ever.

Now in its sixth season, the Batavia Boardwalk Shops have grown beyond a simple collection of pop-up storefronts. They’re a proving ground for entrepreneurs, a source of community and friendship for the owners and a huge draw for local shoppers.

This year’s class brings several new small businesses (and a couple of returning favorites) to downtown Batavia, each offering a unique personal story to go with a diverse collection of products and services.

The Area Code: Batavia podcast shed light on some of those stories in its most recent episode. We’ve pulled those narratives together to give you an inside look at the entrepreneurs, their roots and what they’re building right here in our backyard.

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⚡ Built for summer fun — and on sale now

These aren’t golf carts. Far more versatile, they’re fully electric, street-legal low-speed vehicles made for lake house weekends, cabin trails and beach town cruising. No gas, no noise, no hassle.

Trust me, I took one for a test drive outside Valor Carts’ showroom in Batavia last week — and it was awesome.

Now with their Spring Sale, you can get $1,500 off all models through May 18 — plus 10% off year-round for first responders and military.

📍 Schedule a visit to the Batavia showroom to experience one in action.

📰 News to use

☑️ Bikes + bagels: Geneva officials will consider an incentive deal at a May 12 committee meeting to support a $2.3M redevelopment at 318 Anderson Boulevard that would bring a bike shop, café and apartments to a long-vacant building.

☑️ Possible development: Batavia officials will discuss whether to provide $1.2M in TIF funding for a proposed 72-unit affordable housing project on South River Street during the May 13 Committee of the Whole meeting.

☑️ Unexpected shuffle: St. Charles City Clerk-elect Susan Hanson will not take office after relocating outside city limits, which means Mayor Clint Hull will need to appoint a replacement following a formal vacancy declaration on May 19.

☑️ Detour begone: According to the City of St. Charles, Route 25 will reopen to traffic once the latest phase of culvert replacement work near the bike path gets completed at some point this week.

☑️ State stats: Illinois came in 36th overall in U.S. News & World Report’s latest state rankings, earning solid marks for education and public safety but landing near the bottom in several key categories.

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ Reentry ready: A groundbreaking small business program inside the Kane County Jail is helping inmates create real business plans as part of a course designed to help them succeed after release and stay out of jail for good.

☑️ Ready for summer: The splash park at Otter Cove in St. Charles will celebrate its grand reopening on May 24 with new water features, a play structure and upgraded amenities following major renovations.

☑️ A worthwhile cause: Kayla’s Hope Foundation, a local organization that drives awareness about the mental health crisis, is partnering with several local businesses for a special Mental Health Awareness Month initiative.

🔒 Rare academic feat: A St. Charles North senior scored a perfect 36 on the ACT — something less than 0.2% of test-takers nationwide achieve — highlighting a standout academic path that included skipping two grades.

☑️ Reopening day: Geneva’s Marklund Hyde Center will celebrate the reopening of its newly resurfaced Miracle League baseball field on May 15 with a ribbon cutting and season kick-off event. The Miracle League provides an inclusive baseball experience for individuals with disabilities.

🎸 Live music

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What a beautiful weekend, eh? We saw Frankie Smiles (a musician who appears often in these roundups) for the first time on Friday — he certainly knows what he’s doing with that acoustic guitar. Another great mid-week lineup approaches.

🤝 Local biz

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☑️ Back by popular demand: Every Tri-Cities brewery is participating in this year’s Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Summer Passport initiative, a statewide beer adventure that runs through August 9 and rewards drinkers for visiting local taprooms.

☑️ Self-care center: The St. Charles Chamber held a ribbon cutting for Blush on LaFox, which describes itself as a “luxury beauty collective and bridal beauty studio.” See photos of the space from the event.

✳️ Grads & dads: From minimalist prints and leather journals to clever keepsakes and Chicago-themed gear, Urban Artisan in Geneva has a smart mix of gifts for graduates, Father’s Day and more. Check out the online shop or stop by in person!

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $1.5M lakefront home in the Prairie Lakes neighborhood of Campton Hills.

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

☑️ City meetings:

• Monday (5/12): Geneva Committee of the Whole (agenda)

• Tuesday (5/13): Batavia Committee of the Whole (agenda)

☑️ Police reports: Batavia police report summaries | Geneva police reports | St. Charles daily arrest log

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Whiskey, Wings & Real Talk | Tues 5/13, 6-8PM | The Lewis, STC | Relax, eat, sip and chat about real-life topics.

☑️ A Sense of Where You Are | Tues 5/13, 7-8PM | Baker Community Center, STC | Explore current opportunities and challenges in historic preservation.

🎟️ Pour Your Own Epoxy | Thurs 5/15, 6-8PM | Penrose Brewing, Geneva | Craft your own charcuterie board or Lazy Susan.

🎟️ Sip For a Cause | Fri 5/16, 6:30PM | Industrial Treasures, STC | A unique wine tasting event benefitting Anderson Humane.

🎟️ Countryside Clays for Kids | Sun 5/18, 10:30AM-2:30PM | STC Sportsman’s Club, Elburn | A day of sporting clays, silent auction, raffles and lunch.

📖 Thanks for reading

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