Eyes on Enterprise

Goetsch’s Fresh Fruits & Veggies Farm Stand in Ottawa is moving to a new location.

A new Italian restaurant focusing on fresh pasta, wine and bringing a culinary twist to classic Italian dishes and drinks is opening at the former JJ’s Pub in Ottawa.

Hidden Harbor, a plan to revitalize blighted property at Chapel Hill Road and the Fox River in Johnsburg, came closer to reality Wednesday with nods from the village’s planning and zoning commission.

There’s a new, convenient place to buy food in downtown Sycamore now that Xpress Mart has opened in the former 7-Eleven building.

A slaughterhouse proposal near Woodstock is headed to the McHenry County Board - but it’s not without opposition from nearby residents and Hartland Township.

Werk Force Brewing in Plainfield earned a bronze medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup.

A Kansas-based bakery chain specializing in gourmet cupcakes recently opened a Sycamore location.

Sullivan’s Tavern, 722 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, is throwing a party this Saturday for its 80th anniversary, and everyone is invited.

The superintendents at Algonquin-based District 300, Crystal Lake District 155 and Huntley District 158 talked about business partnerships with schools at a chamber event.

Decor & More is a home-based business in Rock Falls specializing in charmingly whimsical pre-made wooden signs, door hangers, shelf sitters, do-it-yourself kits and coffee mugs.

Nelson’s Jewelry in Crystal Lake is celebrating its recent reopening following more than 60 years in the Nelson family with a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, following by an all-day celebration.

Owner Sonia Robinson opened the studio two months ago after deciding to downsize her former business, Primitive Frills, to spend more time doing what she loves, art.

An Ottawa-based pizzeria is opening a second location in downtown DeKalb, expected to open in June, owner Tim Cottingim said. “It’s a different type of pizza than American-style pizza,” he said.

Sought Out Grounds is a new coffee shop in downtown Joliet that plans to pair live music with a diverse menu.

The iconic Rock Falls barbershop is getting a new home. The new location will be fully wheelchair accessible and ADA-compliant, offering expanded amenities, including additional barber stations, a dedicated employee break room and a private manager’s office.

Carpentersville made the last purchase at Spring Hill Mall on Tuesday, agreeing to buy the former Kohl’s building for $2 million.

The Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce hosting a ribbon cutting for john greene Realtor on Wednesday.

Tyler Felder’s classic car and hot rod shop, Steel Town Speed, specializes in custom restorations, performance upgrades and full ground-up builds.

Buffalo Wild Wings, in to-go form, is coming to Woodstock.

EquipmentShare construction equipment company is opening a new operation in Rockdale south of Joliet.

A Las Vegas-based commercial real estate firm announced its interest in Bolingbrook's outdoor shopping center The Promenade.

Gallaher Sourdough is a Plainfield organic homemade sourdough baker using all organic grains.

Russ Shuck is closing his automotive service business. He will continue to offer towing services.

A Malta couple behind a horror-themed coffee shop is eying a September grand opening. The venue, once it opens, would make for the first of its kind in DeKalb.

Two new Jack in the Box restaurants will open in Will County this summer.

MobCraft brewing abruptly shut down in November at Woodstock's Old Courthouse. Now BratHaus is moving in.

New Lenox is holding a “Bring on Spring" shop local promotion at more than 20 locations through Sunday.

A long anticipated coffee shop opened at 701 Illinois Ave. in Mendota

A developer constructing single-story apartment homes in Crystal Lake and Fox River Grove will start seeing their first residents move in this summer.

A new restaurant with a focus on seafood has moved into the South Shore Boat Club in Peru.

Shorewood recently issued a new business license to Prime Healthcare Illinois Medical Group for a medical practice in Shorewood.

Breaking Bread Catering & Deli in Cary is known for sandwiches and has partnered with a bakery from Wheeling to sell fresh loaves of bread and desserts at its store.

Construction is moving along at Water’s Edge, Crystal Lake‘s largest development, with a goal to have a public park open this summer followed by retail spaces by the end of this year.

Retro Bricks is opening soon at the Peru Mall.

The 10 McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes owners are preparing to kick off the third season of the local retail incubator Friday.

Starting May 2 and through at least December, McHenry retailers are invited to stay open until 8 p.m. on the first Friday of the month, giving people out in downtown McHenry more time to check out its shops.

State Rep. Brad Fritts congratulated owner Ashley Bick for her continued hard work and noted that she had recently purchased a catering truck to support her expanding restaurant operations.

Beginning next week a Peru icon will have new owners.

Shorewood is one of five Portillo’s locations offering a limited-time breakfast menu for the summer with a lineup that includes breakfast sandwiches, a chocolate cake donut and more.

A Sycamore mental health counseling clinic recently reopened at a new location in town.

Ginger Road Brewing in Utica is open for the summer season.

After one year of planning and construction, locally-owned Florio’s Italian restaurant is opening Wednesday off Randall Road in Crystal Lake.

Handy Foods, 604 W. Main St., Ottawa, has opened its hoop house for the spring. 

Cravers in Lockport, located by Jewel-Osco on 159th Street, offers “authentic Gyro delights" “crispy beef” and other hand-held options.

Dairy Ripple, a popular spot in Sycamore to grab ice cream cones, hot dogs, burgers, fries and flurries won’t be open this year, according to the business.

Utica officials will cut the ribbon at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Market on Mill. Here are some of the vendors who plan to open in the plaza.

Don Henderson has been cutting hair since President Dwight D. Eisenhower was in office, and has operated a Sycamore barbershop since “Star Wars” premiered in theaters. But that’s all set to change.

Spencer’s is the latest store to open in Algonquin Commons and will be hosting a grand opening celebration Saturday.

The Route 34 Drive-In in Earlville opens this weekend. 

If the warm weather isn’t enough to make you feel like summer is near, maybe ice cream will help. Tones Cones, 523 W. Main St., Ottawa, opens Saturday for the season serving soft serve ice cream.