The other day, I came across an intriguing chart that illustrates the Chicago area’s most popular grocery stores:

I imagine these statistics vary depending on which pocket of the metro region you’re analyzing, which makes it interesting to consider where the Tri-Cities might fit in.

For example, according to the dataset used for this chart, Aldi (which is headquartered in Batavia) has more than 160 stores in the region — but only accounts for about 4% of the market share.

I wonder how preferences compare locally?

Based on anecdotal conversations I’ve had or overheard, Aldi certainly seems popular around here. And it also seems like some folks feel a little frustrated with Jewel’s prices lately.

Why don’t we find out? That’s the beauty of running a newsletter — I can just ask you.

People around here (and Midwestern folks in general) take their grocery stores seriously. I’m genuinely excited to see the results.

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Need a last-minute Mother’s Day gift? The Little Traveler has you covered.

With over 30 rooms full of unique, ever-changing treasures in a historic Geneva building, it’s a shopping experience unlike any other.

Nestled among those treasures you’ll find the area’s largest selection Nora Fleming houseware items, Brighton jewelry & handbags, Stonewall Kitchen products and NAOT comfort shoes.

Insider tip: Bring Mom to the store and let her choose her gift. That way she gets something she loves, and you both get some quality time together — the best two-for-one deal there is.

In addition to their extraordinary selection for every style and generation, The Little Traveler has an array of exciting happenings, special events and new product arrivals lined up for the spring season.

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☑️ Price jump: Geneva residents’ utility bills will include higher rates for water and sewer starting Wednesday.

☑️ Auto accident: A Monday crash near Route 38 and Kautz Road in Geneva resulted in an oil spill, a hazmat response and disruptive rush-hour lane closures.

☑️ Lab leadership: Earlier this week, Fermilab welcomed a new chief operating officer whose diverse background includes stints at 11 of the nation's 17 national laboratories.

☑️ Trench training: Firefighters from across the region will be participating in rescue simulation training at 64 Peck Road tomorrow. Nearby residents can expect some noise and a bunch of heavy vehicles and equipment.

🔒 Verizon tower: A proposed project for an 85-foot cell tower in a Randall Road strip mall has prompted some Eagle Brook residents to post signs opposing the structure. A public hearing on the topic will be held on May 23.

☑️ Hospital ratings: Illinois ranked #30 in a new independent hospital safety report, but Geneva’s Delnor was among several hospitals that received an “A” grade.

☑️ Tortilla tour: A new St. Charles program will reward you with a bottle of Gindo’s hot sauce for eating at local Mexican restaurants — all you need is the Travel St. Charles mobile app.

☑️ Future of the Fox: The Preservation Partners of Fox Valley group is attending public hearings and engaging the dam removal issue through the lens of Tri-Cities history.

☑️ Kane County Cougars: The Tri-Cities’ pro baseball team returns with a season-opening homestand Tuesday through Sunday featuring giveaways, specials and post-game fireworks.

☑️ Tick season: It’s fitting that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month — I’ve pulled two ticks off my body in the past week. Did you know that Kane County offers free tick removal kits and other resources?

☑️ Teacher honored: At a St. Charles banquet last week, Cynthia Martinez of Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy emerged from a field of 57 nominees as the 2024 Kane County Educator of the Year.

We’re not just seeing more live music shows popping up on Fridays and Saturdays — Thursdays and Sundays are getting more active as well.

This weekend, Global Brew Tap House in St. Charles is getting in on the fun with BB&Co performing on Saturday night. And that’s just one of dozens of options…the rundown is close to cracking 60 total shows for the first time!

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✳️ Need new siding? Beautiful and durable, James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding outperforms traditional siding materials in grueling tests — which is why it’s 212° Construction’s go-to brand for new siding jobs.

☑️ Zen Loft Collective: A new wellness and yoga space has opened in downtown Batavia — classes are now on the schedule and a ribbon cutting is planned for May 16.

☑️ Lumber launch: The newly opened Batavia Hardwoods shop sells wood art products, flat lumber stock, wood turning materials and more.

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No plans for Mother’s Day yet? Check out the “beyond brunch” Mother’s Day activities we shared last week.

☑️ Voices of the Midwest | Thursday, 10AM-5PM | Fine Line Creative Arts Center, STC | The newest exhibit at the Kavanagh Gallery opens today and runs through June 20.

☑️ Batavia Boardwalk Shops Opening Weekend | Friday-Sunday | The 2024 season officially begins with a ribbon cutting at 9:30AM on Friday!

🎟️ Spring Carnival | Friday-Sunday | Cougars Stadium, Geneva | Kick off festival season with rides, games, food and all things family fun.

☑️ Second Fridays | Friday, 6-9PM | Batavia Arts District | Live music, local art, food trucks, classes, shopping…the list goes on. An awesome monthly event.

🎟️ Gabriel Rutledge LIVE | Friday-Saturday nights | Moonlight Theatre, STC | Two straight nights of comedy starting at 7:30PM.

☑️ Annual Plant Sale | Saturday, 9AM | Bethany Lutheran Church, Batavia | The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners will be selling natives, perennials, shrubs and trees.

🎟️ Eat The Neighborhood | Saturday, 10AM | Lippold Park, Batavia | Join professional forager Dave Odd for a walk on the Fox River Trail to learn about dozens of wild and wonderful edible plants.

☑️ National Windmill Day | Saturday, 10AM-5PM | Batavia Depot Museum | Learn about local windmill history and pick up a windmill craft kit to make at the museum or to take home.

Back in 1885, the railroad industry was injecting new life into the Tri-Cities area.

A new freight train line called the Chicago Great Western Railroad had just begun chugging through St. Charles — 11 years after the village was incorporated as a city.

In 1968 the train line merged with the Chicago and North Western Railway (CNW), at which point most of the CGW's tracks were abandoned.

🌧️ Today: High 56F | Low 44F | Yucky

🌤️ Friday: High 65F | Low 49F | Warming up

🌤️ Saturday: High 64F | Low 44F | Clouds + sun

🌤️ Sunday: High 72F | Low 55F | Random shower

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