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Geneva's Bee Coco Candle receives "Illinois Made" honors

Local business

Oct 29, 2025

Geneva's Bee Coco Candle receives "Illinois Made" honors

Geneva’s Bee Coco Candle was honored as a 2025 “Illinois Made” business for its non-toxic, handcrafted candles and growing impact in the local maker community.

Sam Kraft

St. Charles signs off on bar and restaurant plan at the Motorcycle Museum

Local news

Oct 15, 2025

St. Charles signs off on bar and restaurant plan at the Motorcycle Museum

City officials advanced a special-use amendment letting the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum and Art Gallery add a bar, restaurant, and limited food-truck and entertainment options while requiring certain upgrades.

Sam Kraft

Brother Chimp Brewing opens new St. Charles taproom this weekend

Local news

Oct 14, 2025

Brother Chimp Brewing opens new St. Charles taproom this weekend

Brother Chimp Brewing will officially open its new St. Charles taproom on Friday, October 17, with a weekend of live music, food trucks, and small-batch beer releases at the former D and G Brewing space on 4th Street.

Sam Kraft

Antique, consignment, and thrift shops near Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

Local business

Oct 4, 2025

Antique, consignment, and thrift shops near Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

A mix of thrift, vintage, and consignment shops across Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, North Aurora, and Elburn offers everything from curated décor to budget basics for local treasure hunters.

Sam Kraft

New pizza-inspired burger at The Graceful Ordinary isn't your typical menu item

Local business

Oct 2, 2025

New pizza-inspired burger at The Graceful Ordinary isn't your typical menu item

The Graceful Ordinary is partnering with Chicago chef Bill Kim to serve a limited-time “Pizza Burger” as part of its returning Big City Burger Collab series in St. Charles.

Sam Kraft

Vintage Shop Hop returns to Tri-Cities area this weekend

Local events

Sep 29, 2025

Vintage Shop Hop returns to Tri-Cities area this weekend

The semi-annual Vintage Shop Hop returns October 3–4, with vintage and antique shops across the Tri-Cities joining a two-day road-trip shopping event.

Sam Kraft

Batavia Boardwalk Shops will start accepting applications for 2026 on October 1

Local business

Sep 25, 2025

Batavia Boardwalk Shops will start accepting applications for 2026 on October 1

Batavia MainStreet will be accepting applications through January 15 for the 2026 season of the Boardwalk Shops, the popular small business incubator program that runs May through December in downtown Batavia.

Sam Kraft

New hands-on farm experience coming to Batavia

Local business

Sep 16, 2025

New hands-on farm experience coming to Batavia

Majestic Highlands Homestead, a farm in Batavia that will offer meet ‘n greets and photo sessions with their cows Maggie and Mabel, will celebrate its opening with a September 25 ribbon cutting.

Sam Kraft

Storybook Café bringing matcha, coffee, and books to downtown Geneva this fall

Local business

Sep 10, 2025

Storybook Café bringing matcha, coffee, and books to downtown Geneva this fall

The cozy new book-themed coffee spot serving lattes, matcha, and fresh pastries, is set to open this October in downtown Geneva at 407 S. 3rd Street.

Sam Kraft

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

Local business

Geneva's Bee Coco Candle receives "Illinois Made" honors

St. Charles signs off on bar and restaurant plan at the Motorcycle Museum

Brother Chimp Brewing opens new St. Charles taproom this weekend

Antique, consignment, and thrift shops near Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

New pizza-inspired burger at The Graceful Ordinary isn't your typical menu item

Vintage Shop Hop returns to Tri-Cities area this weekend

Batavia Boardwalk Shops will start accepting applications for 2026 on October 1

New hands-on farm experience coming to Batavia

Storybook Café bringing matcha, coffee, and books to downtown Geneva this fall

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

Tri-Cities Central