🚀 Reinvigorating Geneva’s downtown business scene

Geneva officials recently awarded just over $300K in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to seven business properties in need of some level of rejuvenation.

Three of those businesses plan to use their funds to support various historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects. Below I’ve summarized those plans for those who can’t access the original articles.

HoneyBird Restaurant

• Transformation: The ownership team behind Riganato Old World Grille on State Street received over $38K to convert a historic 1877 building into HoneyBird, a new chicken-focused eatery.

• Key upgrades: Funds will help support structural work and install ADA-compliant restrooms and a fire alarm system as part of a major renovation project.

• Read more: Shaw Local article (🔒 potential paywall)

Caroline Shop and Interiors

• Acquired property: The owner of Caroline Shop and Interiors purchased the 1867 building at 101 S. Third St. (currently home to Odalisque and Artemisia) with a $14K grant.

• Enhancements: Planned upgrades include significant interior work plus landscaping and balcony restoration. Artemisia will depart at the end of March and the revamped shop plans to reopen in May.

• Read more: Shaw Local article (🔒 potential paywall)

Niche Restaurant

• Expansion plans: The award-winning Niche restaurant aims to expand into a neighboring retail space at 12 S. Third St. with $40K in ARPA funds.

• Renovations: The project includes adding a new boutique retail concept, an ADA restroom, a bar and other furnishings, though the owner is still negotiating rent.

• Read more: Shaw Local article (🔒 potential paywall)

Historic Fargo buildings

• Agreement and locations: The owner of several State Street buildings in downtown Geneva received nearly $200K in funding for upgrades. Occupying businesses include Town & Country Gardens, City Barber Shop, Galena Garlic Company, Stockholm’s, Bee Coco Candle, The Gift Box, DS Studio and Kernel’s Popcorn Shop.

• Renovations: A wide variety of interior and exterior work is planned, including mechanical system upgrades, window replacements, façade restoration and much more.

• Read more: Shaw Local article (🔒 potential paywall)

We’ll keep an eye out for updates as these projects unfold, but it certainly sounds like downtown Geneva will look a little different this time next year.

📰 News to use

☑️ Geneva Grotto revival: Nestled in the woods, the Geneva Grotto has long been a place of quiet reflection, rich with history and spiritual significance. Geneva author Margaret Philbrick shares the story behind how a passionate local artist and her team have breathed new life into an old treasure.

☑️ Fugitive freeze: For safety and liability protection, the Kane County Sheriff's Department is rolling out a new “grappler” tool that stops fleeing vehicles via a deployed cable. See video of the system in action.

☑️ Eyes in the sky: Batavia will nearly double its surveillance network in 2025 with 55 new cameras approved for public areas and city facilities — despite some concerns about cost and privacy.

☑️ Driver scrutiny: Kane County is planning another No-Refusal DUI initiative for the evening of New Year’s Eve to assist law enforcement in keeping the roads safe for the holiday.

☑️ Planning ahead: The City of St. Charles released details about its holiday garbage collection schedule, Christmas tree pickup and holiday lights recycling program. Here’s similar info for Batavia and Geneva.

☑️ A lasting impact: Geneva has lowered the city flag at City Hall in memory of former Fire Chief Frank Johnson, who passed away on 12/16 at age 85.

🏘️ In the community

The 🔒 symbol indicates a potential paywall.

☑️ The votes are in! The winners of the Batavia Park District 2024 Holiday House Decorating Contest have been announced, with the “People’s Choice” award going to 604 Midway Drive. See the winning displays.

☑️ Water wars: St. Charles took first place in a “best-tasting water” competition at Global Brew Tap House last week. Many commenters on the city’s Facebook post announcement seemed skeptical about the verdict.

🔒 Legion restoration: In an effort to revitalize its community presence, Geneva's American Legion Post 75 is launching a "Strive for 75" fundraising campaign to restore its historic building through much-needed upgrades.

☑️ Giving trees: Through the first of the year, you can vote in the Geneva Giving Trees competition, which helps support the Geneva History Museum and local nonprofit groups in their work to make a difference in the community.

☑️ The magic of youth: Check out this heartwarming video of students at McWayne Elementary School in Batavia as they watch over 600 cereal boxes (which they collected for a local charity) topple domino-style throughout the hallways. And this video of students at Western Avenue School in Geneva singing holiday songs in their pajamas.

☑️ Batter up for vets: St. Charles VFW Post #5036 expressed its gratitude for the ongoing generosity of Kevin O'Connor, the owner of Mad Batter Bakery & Confections in downtown St. Charles, who has been known to say “No veteran shall have to pay for a donut again.”

🎸 Live music

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With no performances scheduled for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the early-week lineup is relatively sparse. Dave Ramont and Friends are putting on a special festive show at the Moonlight Theatre tonight, though.

Though there’s no newsletter planned for Thursday, I will try to update the live music page with weekend performances at some point over the next few days — so check the website after Christmas if you’re looking for shows.

🛍️ Local biz

☑️ Top of its class: A group of 30 beer experts from across the country collaborated to identify the 30 best breweries in the United States. Geneva’s Art History Brewing made the list.

☑️ Graduation party: After wrapping up the season at its Batavia Boardwalk Shops location this weekend, the organic tea and herbs business Bewitching Brews is opening a brick-and-mortar shop on 3rd Street in Geneva in January.

☑️ Christmas meals: There aren’t many non-chain restaurants open on Christmas Day, but Cravings in Geneva will be. Mention “HOLIDAY” when ordering (in-person or carry-out) to get 15% off.

☑️ Local specials: In Geneva, Country Village Meats has some holiday specials on roasts and hams and Geneva Wine Cellars has a holiday wine sale through 12/26. JT’s Tavern & Tap in Batavia is offering 30% off boneless wings on Mondays through December.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this incredible $1.8M estate on Hawley Lane in Geneva and this $1.3M luxury home on Longmeadow Lane in St. Charles.

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

☑️ Best of 2024:

• Books: Lists of top reads from Goodreads, Literary Hub and WBEZ.

• Food: The best dishes of 2024 from The New York Times.

• Movies: The best movies of 2024 from Variety.

☑️ Police reports: Batavia police report summaries | Geneva police reports

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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🎟️ A Christmas Carol | Mon 12/23, 7PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | A modern makeover on the classic theatrical performance.

☑️ Christmas Cookie Decorating | Tues 12/24, 10AM-1PM | The Royal Wren, Geneva | Make cookies in PJs! OJ for the kids, mimosas for the parents.

☑️ Storytime with Geneva Firefighters | Fri 12/27, 9:30-10:30AM | Geneva Public Library | A special kids’ event with Lt. Johnston and Geneva firefighters.

🎟️ John Measner Magic Show | Sat 12/28, 7-8:30PM | Moonlight Theatre, STC | Get mesmerized by illusions, laughs and magical memories.

🎟️ Sweets & Beer Pairing | Sun 12/29, 3-5PM | Sturdy Shelter, Batavia | Tiny Kitchen provides holiday indulgences perfectly complemented by Sturdy brews.

🔭 Bonus: Beginning 12/30, SciTech in Batavia will offer Open Lab Hours that allow families with kids through middle school to dive into hands-on STEM exploration that blends education and entertainment.

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌧️ Today: High 38F | Low 31F | Wintry mix

☁️ Tuesday: High 36F | Low 32F | Gray Xmas Eve

🌧️ Wednesday: High 40F | Low 34F | Cold rain

🌧️ Thursday: High 43F | Low 42F | Raw + drizzly

📖 Thanks for reading

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