If you’re already stressing about your Thanksgiving menu, several local spots can help out on the food front.

Tri-Cities bakeries, cafés, and restaurants have rolled out Thanksgiving pre-orders and special offerings, from gluten-free sweets and farm-baked pies to full heat-and-serve meals.

I pulled together a solid list of who’s offering what in the Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles area — plus a handful of restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving Day if you’d rather skip the kitchen stuff entirely.

_{SPONSORED CONTENT}

At Fox Valley Ophthalmology, caring for the Tri-Cities goes beyond great eye care — it’s about helping the people behind every pair of glasses.

For example, the FVO team recently joined runners and volunteers at the Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest in St. Charles, helping raise funds for Project Mobility’s mission to bring adaptive cycling to kids and adults with disabilities.

From community events to their full range of services — including LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma care, retina and cornea treatments, and family eye care — Fox Valley Ophthalmology continues to invest in what matters: local vision and local people.

The 🔒 symbol indicates a potential paywall.

☑️ Restrictions approved: After weeks of debate and public input, Batavia officials narrowly approved an ordinance banning federal immigration enforcement operations on city property, joining several nearby suburbs enacting similar policies.

☑️ Robber manhunt: The FBI released photos and is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who robbed the U.S. Bank branch in St. Charles on November 8, who then fled on foot after demanding money with a handgun.

☑️ Tough decisions: Kane County officials approved a balanced budget for 2026 after months of debate over spending cuts and revenue options, using $6M in reserves to close the gap and raising property and fuel taxes.

🔒 Geneva church crisis: Chapelstreet Church leaders told members they believe the church was wrongly named in a sexual-abuse lawsuit involving a former youth leader and stressed their focus on supporting anyone who may have been harmed.

☑️ Coffee clash: Starbucks workers at the Geneva location joined a nationwide Red Cup Day strike last week, part of a push affecting 65 stores across the country as customers geared up for the coffee giant’s annual holiday cup giveaway.

☑️ Road work ahead: Starting Monday (11/17), railroad work in North Aurora at the intersection of Butterfield and Route 25 will shut down the roadway. Repairs are expected to be completed by end of day on Friday (11/21). Get more details.

☑️ STC stalwarts: The St. Charles Business Alliance is recognizing The Bike Rack, R.W. Rogers, Inc., and Dickey Manufacturing Company with 2025 Made in St. Charles awards for their decades of craftsmanship and community impact.

☑️ Artist profile: Batavia-based artist and teacher Carly Palmer blends collage, painting, and writing to explore creativity, curiosity, and self-discovery while inspiring others through her workshops at Water Street Studios.

☑️ Home sweet home: The Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry & Clothes Closet will host a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday (11/21) to celebrate the opening of its new 14,000-square-foot space on First Street. If you attend, feel free to bring donations.

☑️ Charity sprint: The Geneva Police Department is closing in on its $70K fundraising goal for the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, keeping up its record-breaking momentum while still seeking community support.

☑️ Public input: Batavia officials are preparing to adopt the South River Street Corridor Plan, inviting residents to review and comment on proposed streetscape and development improvements at an open house and public hearing on Wednesday (11/19).

☑️ E-bike clarity: Geneva released a set of resources explaining the differences between e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos — and outlining where each is allowed to operate — to help residents use them safely and within Illinois law.

Lots of holiday-themed performances (orchestras, operas, caroling, etc.) coming up in the weeks ahead, so keep an eye out for that.

This week you’ll find live music at most of the usual spots.

_{SPONSORED CONTENT}

The holidays hit different around here. From Batavia’s wreath-laden downtown streets to Geneva’s Christmas Walk and Holiday Homecoming in St. Charles, the Tri-Cities are magical this time of year — and Valor Carts is thankful to be a part of it.

Built right here by a local family, Valor is all about supporting this community. Their all-electric, street-legal carts aren’t just a ton of fun — they bring folks together to make memories with the people they care about.

Valor wishes you a safe, joyful holiday filled with family and great memories.

The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.

☑️ Women’s fashion: JAYNE Boutique will open a new location at Geneva Commons on November 29, celebrating its launch on Small Business Saturday with deals, giveaways, and styling events alongside the center’s annual holiday tree lighting.

🔒 Marijuana shop: Elburn officials have approved canAFarm Dispensary to open at 202 W. North Street, marking the village’s first cannabis retailer six years after adopting local rules to regulate these types of businesses.

☑️ Now taking appointments: Calderone’s Barbershop, a new family-owned business located in the Geneva Metra station building, is now open and offering classic men’s (and kid’s) cuts and shaves in a welcoming atmosphere.

✳️ Local looks good: Let’s show off our Tri-Cities pride with style! Urban Artisan in Geneva carries clever local apparel, quirky community gifts, and locally inspired home décor you won’t find anywhere else. Check out their Tri-Cities selection.

The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $1.9M estate in Batavia with 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and a huge in-ground pool. Holy cow, guys.

✳️ Need a trustworthy local realtor? Get in touch with Tri-Cities expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or chriswallacere.com.

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

☑️ City meetings:

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

The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.

☑️ Men’s Group | Tues 11/18, 7:30PM | Soul Studio, Batavia | A new monthly session for local men to connect and have honest conversations.

☑️ Batavia Senior Citizens Club | Wed 11/19, 11:30AM | Shannon Hall, Batavia | Enjoy lunch, conversation, entertainment, and a raffle. All seniors welcome.

☑️ Fire Station Grand Opening | Wed 11/19, 4-7PM | 37W444 Bolcum Rd, STC | Explore the brand new Fox River & Countryside Fire Rescue District Fire Station 3.

🎟️ The Holiday Pour | Thu 11/20, 6–8PM | The Wine Exchange, STC | Sample a variety of holiday wines while supporting local residents who need medical care.

🎟️ Underwear Party | Thu 11/20, 6–8PM | Pal Joey’s, Batavia | Bring clothes donations for Batavia United Way, then enjoy apps, drinks, and socializing.

🎟️ Harvest Wine Dinner | Thu 11/20, 6PM | Preservation, Geneva | A delicious multi-course meal paired with festive wines.

If you enjoy Tri-Cities Central, please spread the word!