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Geneva Winery expands with new Elburn production site and plans for vineyard

Local business

Aug 12, 2025

Geneva Winery expands with new Elburn production site and plans for vineyard

The local winery is expanding production with a new Elburn facility and planning a vineyard, adding to popular tasting room locations in Geneva and Batavia.

Sam Kraft

Inside Strongoo: A new way to feel better

Local business

Aug 8, 2025

Inside Strongoo: A new way to feel better

Founded by a former CrossFit gym owner who discovered a better approach to whole-body health, this new Geneva-based nonprofit has created a space for wellness and recovery with a focus on movement, healing, connecting, and slowing down.

Sam Kraft

Tri-Cities businesses stand out in Glancer's "Best in Local" awards

Local business

Aug 5, 2025

Tri-Cities businesses stand out in Glancer's "Best in Local" awards

Glancer Magazine named dozens of businesses from Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles among its 2025 "Best in Local" Readers’ Choice Award winners across categories like dining, wellness, events, and shopping.

Sam Kraft

Berkeley Finer Foods in Batavia to close after 16 years

Local news

Jul 18, 2025

Berkeley Finer Foods in Batavia to close after 16 years

Berkeley Finer Foods will close its Batavia store on July 30 after 16 years in business, potentially ending a decades-long run of local grocers at the Van Buren Street location.

Sam Kraft

Brother Chimp Brewing plans expansion to St. Charles with second location

Local news

Jul 8, 2025

Brother Chimp Brewing plans expansion to St. Charles with second location

The North Aurora brewery aims to open a new taproom in the former D and G Brewing space this fall, bringing its laid-back vibe, approachable beers, and community-focused approach to a new corner of the Tri-Cities.

Sam Kraft

Geneva considers financial support for new Honeybird restaurant

Local business

Jul 6, 2025

Geneva considers financial support for new Honeybird restaurant

Geneva officials will discuss a $135K economic incentive agreement to help the owners of Riganato open a new restaurant, Honeybird, on East State Street.

Sam Kraft

Meet the entrepreneurs behind the 2025 Batavia Boardwalk Shops

Local business

May 9, 2025

Meet the entrepreneurs behind the 2025 Batavia Boardwalk Shops

A new season of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops brings ten unique small businesses — and owners with big dreams — to the heart of downtown. From handmade goods to global flavors, each pop-up has a story worth exploring.

Sam Kraft

Dog-friendly outdoor dining & drinking spots in Batavia, Geneva & St. Charles

Local business

May 7, 2025

Dog-friendly outdoor dining & drinking spots in Batavia, Geneva & St. Charles

From casual bars to hidden beer gardens, here’s a solid list of Tri-Cities patios where dogs are welcome and the vibes are just right for summer hangouts.

Sam Kraft

Big City Burger collab returns to The Graceful Ordinary

Local business

May 5, 2025

Big City Burger collab returns to The Graceful Ordinary

Food Network champ Dominique Leach brings bold flavors to St. Charles

Sam Kraft

St. Charles' Mexican restaurant "Tortilla Tour" is back

Local business

Apr 29, 2025

St. Charles' Mexican restaurant "Tortilla Tour" is back

The St. Charles Business Alliance has relaunched its Tortilla Tour with a lower check-in requirement, making it easier for locals to explore Mexican restaurants around town and earn a prize.

Sam Kraft

Rising Lights Project: Forging a path forward for adults with disabilities

Local business

Apr 21, 2025

Rising Lights Project: Forging a path forward for adults with disabilities

The local nonprofit has grown from a weekly garden program into a critical source of community, connection and fun for local adults with disabilities and their families. Hear from founder Jaimie Valentini about Rising Light's story, its impact in the Tri-Cities and what's next.

Sam Kraft

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops are almost back for 2025

Local business

Apr 7, 2025

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops are almost back for 2025

The local business incubator program returns for its sixth season starting May 9, featuring 10 unique micro-retailers offering handcrafted goods, global flavors, and one-of-a-kind finds.

Sam Kraft

Plans for Honeybirds restaurant in Geneva making progress

Local business

Mar 29, 2025

Plans for Honeybirds restaurant in Geneva making progress

A newly submitted project narrative reveals that HoneyBird, the broasted chicken restaurant planned for 427 E. State Street in Geneva, is hoping to feature indoor and outdoor seating.

Sam Kraft

The Newton House, Bocaditos Café and a Batavia landmark's rich history

Local business

Mar 27, 2025

The Newton House, Bocaditos Café and a Batavia landmark's rich history

From Civil War-era home to public library and business incubator, Batavia’s Newton House has been a cornerstone of community life for nearly 150 years — and now Bocaditos Café is helping to carry on that legacy.

Sam Kraft

Tri-Cities businesses and attractions honored in 2025 "Best of the West" awards

Local business

Mar 22, 2025

Tri-Cities businesses and attractions honored in 2025 "Best of the West" awards

See all of the local spots from Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles that received recognition in West Suburban Living's annual awards.

Sam Kraft

Urban Artisan: Where Midwest grit meets creative craftsmanship

Local business

Mar 15, 2025

Urban Artisan: Where Midwest grit meets creative craftsmanship

Blending bold ambition with handcrafted artistry, Urban Artisan is a Tri-Cities success story and a testament to what happens when you "make no little plans."

Sam Kraft

Wine Down Wednesdays may be coming back to St. Charles

Local business

Mar 14, 2025

Wine Down Wednesdays may be coming back to St. Charles

The St. Charles Business Alliance is looking to bring back a weekly event that was popular before the pandemic — this time at First Street Plaza.

Sam Kraft

New Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide now available

Local business

Mar 7, 2025

New Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide now available

Batavia MainStreet’s updated Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide features 35 local businesses — from restaurants to coffee shops and breweries — to help you decide where to dine and drink.

Sam Kraft

Batavia MainStreet announces 2025 Batavia Boardwalk Shops

Local business

Mar 7, 2025

Batavia MainStreet announces 2025 Batavia Boardwalk Shops

Check out which small businesses and entrepreneurs will be setting up shop at the popular downtown Batavia destination this year.

Sam Kraft

Eight products from Tri-Cities companies nominated for "Coolest Thing Made in Illinois"

Local business

Mar 7, 2025

Eight products from Tri-Cities companies nominated for "Coolest Thing Made in Illinois"

Vote for your favorite locally made products in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s “March Madness” contest, where several Tri-Cities businesses will compete for a spot in the bracket — and ultimately the crown.

Sam Kraft

Local business

Mar 3, 2025

Chamber Eats program to promote dining at Batavia restaurants

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce Chamber Eats initiative, kicking off in March, will be an ongoing program featuring a different Batavia Chamber restaurant member each month.

Sam Kraft

Batavia is launching a unique scavenger hunt featuring downtown businesses

Local news

Mar 1, 2025

Batavia is launching a unique scavenger hunt featuring downtown businesses

Running from March 8 through April 6, Batavia MainStreet's Share the Hype Scavenger Hunt will encourage residents and visitors to visit local businesses for a chance to win $800 in "Downtown Batavia Dollars."

Sam Kraft

Batavia Chamber announces five businesses as 2024 Ole Award winners

Local business

Feb 18, 2025

Batavia Chamber announces five businesses as 2024 Ole Award winners

Group recognizes businesses for their contributions to Batavia through new construction, renovations and community investment.

Sam Kraft

Rud Dogs eatery set to open in St. Charles in March

Local business

Feb 14, 2025

Rud Dogs eatery set to open in St. Charles in March

Downtown St. Charles is getting a new late-night dining option with the opening of Rud Dogs in the former space of Bezo's Sandwiches.

Sam Kraft

Local business

Feb 12, 2025

Batavia MainStreet celebrates local businesses with special awards

The nonprofit business organization encouraged the community to vote for the top downtown businesses in various categories that Batavia such a unique place to live, work and play.

Sam Kraft

Local business

Geneva Winery expands with new Elburn production site and plans for vineyard

Inside Strongoo: A new way to feel better

Tri-Cities businesses stand out in Glancer's "Best in Local" awards

Berkeley Finer Foods in Batavia to close after 16 years

Brother Chimp Brewing plans expansion to St. Charles with second location

Geneva considers financial support for new Honeybird restaurant

Meet the entrepreneurs behind the 2025 Batavia Boardwalk Shops

Dog-friendly outdoor dining & drinking spots in Batavia, Geneva & St. Charles

Big City Burger collab returns to The Graceful Ordinary

St. Charles' Mexican restaurant "Tortilla Tour" is back

Rising Lights Project: Forging a path forward for adults with disabilities

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops are almost back for 2025

Plans for Honeybirds restaurant in Geneva making progress

The Newton House, Bocaditos Café and a Batavia landmark's rich history

Tri-Cities businesses and attractions honored in 2025 "Best of the West" awards

Urban Artisan: Where Midwest grit meets creative craftsmanship

Wine Down Wednesdays may be coming back to St. Charles

New Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide now available

Batavia MainStreet announces 2025 Batavia Boardwalk Shops

Eight products from Tri-Cities companies nominated for "Coolest Thing Made in Illinois"

Chamber Eats program to promote dining at Batavia restaurants

Batavia is launching a unique scavenger hunt featuring downtown businesses

Batavia Chamber announces five businesses as 2024 Ole Award winners

Rud Dogs eatery set to open in St. Charles in March

Batavia MainStreet celebrates local businesses with special awards

Tri-Cities Central