🎳 Progress on Fox Haven Square

A much-anticipated transformation of St. Charles’ east gateway is starting to take real shape, with the developers behind Fox Haven Square sharing details via the project’s Instagram account about the destination-style development now underway near the former Charlestowne Mall site.

What’s in the works? A mix of entertainment, dining and lifestyle brands aimed at turning the northeast corner of Kirk Road and Main Street (Route 64) into a go-to hub for families, shoppers, diners and pickleballers.

Read on to learn which restaurants and amenities are planning to move in.

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✨ Award-winning brunch at an unbeatable price

Sunday brunch is a time-honored tradition — and you won’t find a better value in the Tri-Cities than at The Little Traveler’s Atrium Café. In fact, it was named Best Brunch in West Suburban Living’s 2024 Best of the West.

For just $12.95, enjoy a full spread of fresh, house-made favorites, from fluffy omelets with crispy bacon to Swedish pancakes and Crab Cakes Benedict. Trust me, there’s a reason so many local folks have been coming back for decades.

💥 Beyond brunch: Check out The Little Traveler’s Spring 2025 Almanack for upcoming events and exciting new products.

📰 News to use

☑️ Historic preservation: The Geneva City Council approved a new grant program to help fund preservation and adaptive reuse projects for older buildings, aiming to support economic growth while maintaining the city’s historic charm.

☑️ Measles concerns: Health officials have identified a second measles case in the Chicago area — this one in the suburbs. The person went to the hospital and was quickly isolated.

☑️ Lucky local: More than a month after a winning $349M Mega Millions ticket was sold at a DeKalb County gas station, the winners have finally claimed their prize.

☑️ Safety simplified: Kane County has launched a free HOPE Card program to help domestic violence survivors more easily report violations of protection orders without needing to carry official court documents.

☑️ Utility rates: Geneva’s water and sewer customers will see a rate increase of 7.5% beginning in May. St. Charles customers will see an increase of 5% beginning in June. Batavians saw rate increases starting in January.

☑️ Watt’s next: The Switch Together solar initiative has launched its summer 2025 campaign to help Kane County residents and small businesses save money on solar panel installations through a group-buying program.

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ Museum quest: The 34th annual Passport to Adventure program recently kicked off, allowing locals to explore nearly 70 museums, nature centers and historic sites across Kane and DuPage Counties while collecting stamps and earning prizes. See which spots are participating.

☑️ Local flavor: The popular Batavia Farmers’ Market returns on May 17 for its 30th season, bringing nearly 60 local vendors, live music, kids activities and monthly artisan pop-ups to North River Street every Saturday through October.

🔒 Weekend protest: Thousands gathered along Route 64 in St. Charles on Saturday (5/3) for a “Hands Off!!” rally, marking the fifth such demonstration in Kane County since early March.

☑️ Fate forthcoming: Landmarks Illinois — one of the state’s top advocacy groups for historic preservation — named the 1844 Judge William D. Barry House in St. Charles as one of the Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois for 2025.

☑️ Officer hoops: The St. Charles Police Department is holding its second annual Charity Basketball Game on May 14, squaring off against Addison Police at Thompson Middle School. All proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

☑️ Recycling guide: Geneva has partnered with the Recycle Coach platform to give residents an easy way to look up local recycling rules, collection schedules and drop-off info through a free app and online portal.

🎸 Live music

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Plenty of weekday performances to choose from over the next few days, and it’s great to see Aurelio’s in Geneva back on the list — one of the best patios in the Tri-Cities.

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🏡🚗🛡️ Javelin Insurance: Good, local people who have your back

Remember how great it was when you actually knew your local insurance rep — and they made things clear, simple and friendly? Well, that’s still how it works at Javelin Insurance in Campton Hills.

Whether it’s home, auto, business or life insurance, they’ll help you find the coverage you need without the confusing fine print or corporate runaround. They’re the easy, local, no-nonsense partner.

🤝 Local biz

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☑️ Creator duo: A St. Charles ceramic artist and her daughter were featured in a Glancer Magazine cover story for turning their shared love of pottery into a thriving mother-daughter business — now selling their creations at Trend + Relic.

☑️ New Thai spot: Thai Siri — a family-owned Thai restaurant on Randall Road in Geneva — recently held a soft opening and is now taking orders.

☑️ Midwest marvel: Aquascape Pond Shop in St. Charles has been named one of the region’s top 15 garden centers by Midwest Living magazine, getting props for its immersive displays and water garden expertise.

✳️ Mother’s Day gifts: From quirky cards and coasters to stylish bracelets and funny kitchen towels, there’s a one-of-a-kind gift for every type of mom at Urban Artisan in Geneva. Check out their Mother’s Day offerings.

💥 Local advertising: Sponsoring Tri-Cities Central gets your message to real, local people who want to support local businesses. Check out our easy advertising program.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $2.5M riverfront mansion in St. Charles (is that an elevator I spy in the photos?).

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

☑️ City meetings: Newly elected public officials will be sworn in for all three cities on Monday.

• Monday (5/5): Batavia City Council (agenda)

• Monday (5/5): Geneva City Council (agenda)

• Monday (5/5): St. Charles City Council (agenda)

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Volunteer Fair | Tues 5/6, 2-6PM | Batavia Library | Find volunteer opportunities for adults and teens with outstanding local organizations.

☑️ The Creation of Carousel | Wed 5/7, 1-2:30PM | Baker Community Center, STC | A theater historian brings the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical to life.

🎟️ History Rocks! | Wed 5/7, 6-9PM | Rock N Ravioli, STC | A 1950s-themed music party with an Italian feast benefitting the STC History Museum.

🎟️ Ladies Night: Recharge & Root | Thurs 5/8, 5-7PM | Grow, Geneva | Sip, shop and mingle during an evening of self-care.

☑️ 8,000 Days | Thurs 5/8, 5-7PM | Geneva Library | Those approaching or navigating retirement get expert advice on financial and aging issues.

🎟️ Sip & Pour | Thurs 5/8, 7PM | Tea Trea, Batavia | Unwind with guided candle-making and tea brewing.

📖 Thanks for reading

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