Unique Nails is moving down the street from its downtown Woodstock location, with help from the city.

Stranger Things skateboard tie-in merch now on sale at McHenry skate shop

As Small Business Saturday approaches, McHenry County chambers of commerce are encouraging the community to support local enterprises.

The 2025 Goose Island - Bourbon County Brand Stout Release Party will be held Friday at Craft’d Plainfield.

In addition to supporting local businesses, shoppers have the opportunity to win an artisan gift basket. Simply stop at the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce.

After 30 years in the retail industry and a few years with the McHenry chamber, Amy Humbracht is now president of the Woodstock chamber.

St. Charles Collision Experts is one step closer to expanding its auto body shop after the city approved its designs on a site in the Legacy Business Center in St. Charles.

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of Iniga Pizzeria Napoletana’s new location and welcomed it to the Chamber’s membership.

Lane Welch - Thrivent Financial recently moved her office to the second floor of Main Street Market at 317 E. Main St., Streator.

The Boatyard Bar & Bistro, 1130 N. 27th Road, Ottawa, closed for the season.

It’s a long-held tradition for children to visit Santa to tell jolly old St. Nick what they want for Christmas.

Hey Sweetie, a candy and ice cream store in downtown Ottawa will soon close its doors.

Breaking Bread Catering & Deli is giving back during the holidays by offering 100 free loaves of bread the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

The Ottawa Downtown Association was honored with the 2025 Lt. Governor’s Award for Excellence in Revitalization at the Illinois Main Street Awards Banquet.

The owners of Lena's Social Club in Dixon say the business has been operating at a loss since opening in March and they have decided to close and sell it.

The Sycamore branch of a specialty cupcake shop is closing its doors at the end of the month after opening in May.

Established in 2015, Blue Margaritas specializes in serving traditional Mexican dishes inspired by the cuisine of different parts of Mexico, according to its website. 

Portillo’s Vice President of Restaurant Support Michael Portillo will attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Plainfield location, which will include a check presentation to Bags of Hope, Portillo’s charity partner.

With wood-fired gourmet pizzas, sharable Italian-style tapas plates, and plentiful pastas, Fire + Wine looks to bring an upscale-casual atmosphere to St. Charles. The restaurant is expected to open in January.

The Leapfrog Group once again has awarded Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox its 22nd consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade for patient safety.

Noah Gere and Sid Fox, both of McHenry, started business together selling fingerboards to friends and have moved into skateboard decks. They're 12 and 13 years old.

A third Dunkin’ Donuts with drive-thru access and walk-up window, could be coming to Crystal Lake.

The Country House restaurant in Geneva has closed after 30 years and the property is for sale.

The bakery will open inside the Walmart at 420 N. Weber Road in Romeoville.

A dozen Starbucks baristas on strike picketed a location in Geneva, asking people to boycott the company and buy coffee at other independent coffeeshops.

The St. Charles Business Alliance this week honored three local businesses with long legacies in the community, including The Bike Rack, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The owners of Angelo’s Fresh Market in Johnsburg – closed since mid-September – are rebranding the store, plan to reopen in the spring and are having a liquidation sale though Friday.

A Shell facility with a Dunkin’ and convenience store is now open, one year after it was initially planned.

New owners of the former 318 Graham's Coffeehouse at 318 S. Third St., Geneva, celebrated a grand opening with a ribboncutting, food and the Jesse White Tumblers.

The Barn at Deer Park recently opened for year-round events in Ottawa.

The roots of Chipko Market in St. Charles were born a world away, in the hearts of indigenous Indian women hugging trees, tenaciously staring down destructive loggers. Owner Vandana Planis said their spirit lives on in her zero-waste market with eco-friendly products.

McHenry County businesses and organizations were awarded for innovation and collaboration at this year's McHenry County Economic Development Corp. dinner and awards banquet.

A three-generation hot dog business in Joliet is now for sale.

Six years after Elburn officials enacted an ordinance to allow a cannabis dispensary in the village, one has been approved to set up shop.

Three businesses specializing in locally-made products are being celebrated by the St. Charles Business Alliance. They all have been mainstays of the community for more than 50 years.

Huntley will open its retail incubator, Shops on Main, on Saturday with 10 small retailers selling everything from clothing to candy to kitchen gadgets and pastries.

First Secure State Bank of Johnsburg has been honored with the Community Impact Award by the Johnsburg Area Business Association.

The owners behind Star Worlds Arcade in DeKalb, celebrating 40 years in business, are leveling up this year with their latest expansion into a new market.

Marissa Kirch was a barista at the former All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva. Now she owns it and has renamed it Coffee, Cones & Cabernet after the All Chocolate proprietors retired.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of Stitched by Stephanie.

Iniga Pizzeria will open in DeKalb Nov. 15 and features signature wood-fired pizza. The restaurant relocated from Ottawa.

As Parent Petroleum gears up for a new 6,000 square foot office building in St. Charles, the city took a moment to acknowledge the business’ four decades of contribution to the community.

St. Charles District 303 is honoring four recipients of the “Distinguished Alumni Class of 2025 Award,” including a champion in women’s health, a pioneer with NASA, a homegrown entrepreneur and a leader In law.

The ribbon cutting took place from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at Trinity Christian School, 901 Shorewood Drive, where the Shorewood campus of The Village meets.

A Wendy’s spokesperson confirmed the news on behalf of the franchisee. Restaurant team members have been offered employment opportunities at nearby restaurants.

Reform Pilates Studio specializes in small group Pilates classes.

Martha Sanchez of State Street Jewelers was named the 2025 Geneva Chamber of Commerce Wood Award recipient Thursday night.

Johnsburg’s Angelo’s Fresh Market closed Sept. 18 due to a power failure and loss of perishable food. It is now up for sale, according to an online listing indicating the store is up for sale.

The Records Department record store near Woodstock Square has outgrown its space for the second time in its roughly two-year run.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce bestowed its Wood Award, and several other honors at Riverside Receptions Nov. 6.