Montgomery honors RJ O’Neil for 100 years of business
Employees and family of the RJ O’Neil business hold the commemorative sign celebrating 100 years of business July 27 at the Village of Montgomery board meeting.
Schaefer’s Greenhouses, 100 years in Montgomery
For 100 years, Schaefer’s Greenhouses has been more than a place to buy flowers and plants – it has been a cornerstone of the Montgomery community, a family tradition, and a place where generations have created memories. At the Village Board meeting on June 22, Montgomery proudly celebrated a family
Reader’s Voice: Interchange Fee tough for local businesses
May 31, 2026Dear editor; I work closely with business owners and leaders in Black and Brown communities across Illinois. If the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act takes effect on July 1, it won’t hurt only small businesses. It will affect whole communities. This law would change how credit card payments work
Independent grocers face store closures, with loss of SNAP
By Jenna SchweikertCapitol News Illinoisjschweikert@capitolnewsillinois.com As households across Illinois brace to lose their federal food assistance this month, grocery stores, especially independent grocers across the state, are preparing for the devastating effects of decreased spending. For some independent grocers, whose profit margins average 2%, a decrease in consumer spending associated
Batavia Boardwalk Shops open for 2026
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce and many representatives from varying groups prepare to cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the 2026 Class of Batavia Boardwalk Shops Friday, May 8.
Aurora Women in Business Tea Party networking
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance warmly invites you to the 2026 Aurora Women in Business Tea Party: Stronger Together – Community, Networking & Collective Power, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, March 22, at Sage Event Space, 1167 Oak St., North Aurora. This
Prisco’s Family Market in Aurora reopens after repairs
With hugs and handshakes for shoppers by owner Andy Guzauskas, Prisco’s Family Market in Aurora reopened October 30. Celebrating a four-day grand reopening, first-day hours were 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.. The 99-year-old store had been shut down due to storm damage August 18. During the shutdown, staff were allowed
New Moon Vegan awarded Illinois Made Program
Join Batavia MainStreet and the City of Batavia in congratulating New Moon Vegan on their induction into governor JB Pritzker’s Illinois Made Program this November. The Illinois Office of Tourism selects a group of small businesses each year that exemplify the authentic experiences and innovative products that make Illinois an
Café 1888, one year in Aurora
By Karen Nielsen Lorence If you have been through the Near Eastside Historic District in Aurora recently, you’ve seen the transformation of what was once the old Aurora City Hospital. Just three years ago, Jacqueline Mejia and Jeff Williams took a fresh look at the old City of Aurora Hospital
Women’s Advocacy organization expands into Aurora
A diverse group of 36 socially conscious and activist women will be inducted into the, Aurora IL Metropolitan Chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.. This historic event, to be held at the Sheraton Lisle Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Rd., Lisle, Saturday, Nov. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to
Yellow Bird Books celebrates two years in Aurora Oct. 18
To mark its second year, Yellow Bird Books will host an anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 18. The independent bookstore will offer a variety of free activities from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Book lovers of all ages are invited to join the party with balloon animals and face-painting from noon
Aurora mayor Laesch cuts ribbon for Ellie’s Mental Health
Mayor John Laesch, center, joins representatives from Ellie’s Mental Health to cut the ribbon on the facility at 1315 N. Highland Avenue, Suite 202, in Aurora.
Fee Prohibition Act bad for small business
May 14, 2025Dear editor, As a small business owner in Illinois, I am deeply concerned about the impending implementation of the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA), set to take effect July 1. While the intention to reduce costs for merchants is commendable, the practical implications of this legislation pose significant
Shop for Water Street Studios April 13
Water Street Studios president Jessica Jecmen will be host to a shopping event to benefit the art center from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at House of 423 at 219 W. State Street in Geneva. Guests will get a chance to enjoy the latest spring fashions, and Water
O’Brien, CEO of new Aurora Regional Economic Alliance
I recently had lunch with Kelly O’Brien, who is the president and CEO of the recently-formed Aurora Regional Economic Alliance and Alliance Foundation. Since the Alliance is fresh and new, I wanted to meet with O’Brien, who comes with more than two decades of economic development experience. Through conversation, we
Girl Scout cookies on sale
Starting February 7 through March 9, Girl Scouts will offer cookie booths at various community locations outside businesses and stores. Interested customers can visit the Cookie Finder at www.girlscoutsni.org/findcookies. Starting February 21, the Cookie Finder will connect customers to a local troop who will ship cookies to customer’s doors. Don’t
One year of development, Aurora casino
Aurora mayor Richard Irvin and leaders from PENN Entertainment/Hollywood Casino Aurora gathered to celebrate the ceremonial topping off of the new structure, December 19.
Naperville Park District and KidsMatter job fair Jan. 4
The Naperville Park District and KidsMatter will be co-hosts to the 2025 Community Job Fair 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville. A variety of job seekers, ages 15 and up, have the opportunity to connect with representatives
Aurora’s Tecalitlan Restaurant, Water Street changes
By Ricky Rieckert Dear subscribers and readers, I hope everyone had a merry Christmas. In last week’s article on Aurora’s Aurora’s historical Fox Street (now E. Downer Place), I forgot to mention about the Stallion Restaurant, 35 S. Broadway, on the northwest corner of E. Downer Place, and Broadway. Today,
Yellow Bird Books celebrates first year Saturday
Aurora’s only independent bookstore, Yellow Bird Books will celebrate its first birthday with a day-long party Saturday, Oct. 19. The celebration will offer a full day of fun, and officially will begin at 11 a.m. with storytime and a visit from Rory, Aurora Public Library District’s fox mascot. Balloon animals