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Pal Joey’s, Daddio’s Diner, Everdine’s Grilled Cheese, Beardsgaard Barbers, and Red Hive Market are among the downtown Batavia businesses that announced closures in 2026.

If you extend back a couple of years, that list also includes The Tea Tree, Thorabella’s, Grainology Brewstillery, and Olmstead’s TV.

During the past week or so, the state of the downtown business community has become a hot topic of conversation. The issue came up during last week’s City Council meeting, it was the focal point of the latest “Area Code: Batavia” podcast episode, and an alderman published a blog post about it on Friday.

Read on for an overview of what officials, residents, and local business voices are saying — and what might come next.

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Maybe you meant to do a full house cleaning in May. Or redo your deck in June.

Whatever the project, fall’s actually a good time to finally knock it out — cooler weather, not as busy, you’ll get it done before winter. And Midwest Waste has a dumpster ready whenever you are.

Based right here in Batavia, they’re locally owned and locally staffed. Not a national chain, not a call center, not a company that buries fees in fine print. Clear pricing, real answers, and reliable service. Give them a call today.

☑️ Affordable housing proposed: Geneva’s Planning and Zoning Commission got its first look at a developer’s plan to build a three-story building with 44 affordable apartments for seniors on a vacant lot near Rt. 38 and Bricher Rd. in Geneva.

☑️ Campton crash: A 35-year-old man died last week after a two-vehicle crash on Route 64 in Campton Hills, police said. The incident is under investigation.

☑️ Third Street repair job: Geneva will close a downtown block of Third Street for about a week to fix pavement that buckled during the summer’s heat. The goal is to reopen before Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28.

☑️ Council bid: St. Charles third ward Alderperson Dave Petschke, who joined the City Council by appointment in June, has launched his campaign for the April 6 election.

☑️ Energy innovation: Batavia’s Fermilab is teaming up with another national laboratory and a Midwest energy efficiency group to upgrade Fermilab Village’s aging buildings (some more than 100 years old) to reduce energy use — possibly by more than 40%.

☑️ Drop-off detour: With Kane County’s recycling center in Geneva closed until mid-November, pop-up recycling events will run 8AM-2PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oct. 27 through Nov. 12 just down the road at 703 E. Fabyan Pkwy.

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☑️ World champ from STC: Ben Davino, a 2024 St. Charles East grad who posted a legendary 181-1 high school record, just won a gold medal at the U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas.

☑️ Toy drive: Local nonprofit Big Hearts of Fox Valley is looking for new toys, board games, and teen gifts by Nov. 11 to fill Christmas bags for hundreds of St. Charles kids whose families are facing financial hardship.

☑️ Flag football founder: A Rotolo Middle School coach who started Batavia’s girls flag football program from the ground up earned a district Bulldog Award during last week’s Board of Education meeting.

☑️ Healthy fires: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is planning controlled burns this fall at dozens of preserves, including LeRoy Oakes, Dick Young, and Les Arends, to clear invasive brush and help native plants thrive.

☑️ Lifeline signs: The Kane County Health Department is giving away free 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline signs ahead of two new state laws that will require certain local organizations and facilities to post the number starting in 2027.

✳️ Rebuilding after divorce: A free Nov. 5 workshop in St. Charles will bring together local financial and mortgage pros to help you get a handle on debt, housing, and long-term stability during and after a divorce. See what the session covers.

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This week features performances at many of the usual spots, plus a Thursday night show at BASH in Geneva. We’ve yet to see music there — may have to check it out.

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If you're still filling your mug with grocery store grounds, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Black Dragon Blend from Dragon Fire Coffee has been the local roaster's top seller for five years running (all 28 of its reviews are five stars). The medium-dark roast features notes of chocolate, ripe plum, and brown sugar that make a rich, bold cup.

Brew it in your drip machine, make espresso with it, or turn it into a latte. There’s a reason the regulars keep re-ordering this coffee time and again.

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☑️ Market moves inside: Batavia’s indoor farmers market kicks off its winter season on Halloween at Sturdy Shelter Brewing, with more than 20 local vendors, a few new faces, and breakfast and mimosas every Saturday morning through mid-May.

☑️ Recovery on Randall: IV Nutrition will open its new Geneva clinic on Friday (10/30) where it will offer IV drips, health evaluations, supplements, vitamin shots, and more on Randall Road near Eagle Brook. An open house is planned for Thursday (10/29).

✳️ Spooky season finds: Urban Artisan in downtown Geneva has a frightfully fun Halloween selection full of hand-painted wood signs (some under $10), ceramic coffee mugs, eerie decor, and much more. Check it out online or visit in person!

✳️ Need a home scrubbing? LemonTidy House Cleaning sends a local, background-checked team to your house on a recurring schedule, so your weekends consist of family and friends instead of elbow grease and toilet bowls. Learn more & book here — mention Tri-Cities Central and they’ll throw in a free oven cleaning.

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☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this four-bedroom, $1.3M luxury home on River Lane in Geneva.

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

✳️ Need a local Realtor? Get in touch with the Tri-Cities’ trustworthy expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or sign up for his newsletter.

☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.

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Last call: Our first “A Tri-Cities Murder Mystery” event is coming up on Wednesday evening. If you’ve been meaning to sign up, now’s the time!

🎟️ Cupcake & Beer Pairing | Tue 10/27, 6PM-8PM | Riverlands Brewing, STC | Four beers paired with cupcakes, including a guided tasting.

☑️ Horror Movie Trivia | Tue 10/27, 6:30PM-9PM | Preservation, Geneva | Slashers, cult classics, and Halloween favorites on a heated, weatherized patio. 

☑️ Trick-or-Treat, Snack or Sweet Bake Sale | Wed 10/28, 10AM-1PM | St. Charles City Hall | Buy Halloween treats while supporting Thanksgiving meals for local families.

☑️ Downtown Trick-Or-Treating | Thu 10/29, 2PM-5PM | Downtown Geneva | Kids in Halloween costumes get treats from participating shops and restaurants. 

🎟️ Pumpkin Decorating Class | Fri 10/30, 6:30PM-8:30PM | Maple Leaf Roasters Coffee House, STC | Design a floral pumpkin with guidance from an expert florist. 

🎟️ Friday Night Line Dance Party | Fri 10/30, 7PM-10PM | The Dance Lab, STC | Halloween-themed line dancing for beginners, experienced dancers, and couples.

🎟️ The Big Top | Sat 10/31, 5:30PM | The Graceful Ordinary, STC | Four-course Halloween dinner with circus magic, live entertainment, and costumes. 

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