A nearly 100-year-old Crystal Lake building, previously Hickory Hall, has been transformed by new owners into a light and airy venue called The Ellery.

Graham's Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream, 302 S. Third St., Geneva, the company is hosting its 35th annual Wine & Chocolate Tasting during Festival of the Vine, Sept. 5-7.

Action Packaging will be moving its operations to Woodstock – with a little help from the city.

The owner of DeKalb-based business, Wreckroom, is organizing support for Rockford mother Emily Vangorkum after the mother's recent hardships.

Richardson Electronics Ltd., 40W267 Keslinger Road, La Fox will invest more than $8.5 million over the next four years to expand manufacturing of its green energy products, power grid and microwave tubes.

CAROLINE, 101. Third St., Geneva, features a collected, evolving product mix designed to enrich customers lives.

A proposed eight-unit duplex development in downtown St. Charles moved closer to approval with a positive recommendation from the city's Plan Commission this week. Units could go for $1.9 million a piece, according to the current proposal.

The long-vacant and historic McCabe’s buildings in downtown DeKalb have reopened after a $1.1 million overhaul, owner David Long said. Long said he's ready to accept reservations for events and other gatherings.

Stephanie and Dave Stacy took ownership of Garden’s Gate in 2009.

Nik & Ivy Brewing in Lockport is celebrating its fifth anniversary with activities on Friday through Sunday.

Johnsons Carpet Shoppe in Princeton is adding furniture to its inventory.

Marseilles' longtime pharmacy is closing its doors.

Butcher on the Block in Lake in the Hills celebrated its 25th anniversary and it was “exactly” what the late owner would have wanted, his family said.

Butcher on the Block in Lake in the Hills celebrates its 25th anniversary in August 2025, months after co-founder Tom Yucuis' unexpected death.

Clarks Run Antiques and Wine is opening a 1,500-square-foot event center at 215 N. Division St., Utica.

Huntley has announced which businesses will be in the first round of the village’s new Shops on Main retail incubator.

Jack in the Box, the California-based burger chain expanding to the Chicago market, opened its Lake in the Hills restaurant Monday.

TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical in Plainfield completed its second annual pet food drive with supplies going to three different animal shelters.

A bank was awarded $83,000 in assistance this week from the city of DeKalb to help offset some costs for opening a new location downtown.

The Kane County Liquor Commission has declined to reconsider an earlier vote denying Blackjack's Gentlemen's Club a liquor license.

Coach’s Grill and Smoke House, a new barbecue restaurant by Lesroy Tittle, is expected to open in DeKalb by March 2026.

McHenry's 815 Day, celebrating the nexus between the date and the area code, made for a busy day, some retailers said.

A churro is more than a sweet, a pastry or a dessert, it's a journey to another realm – of fruity or creamy filling encased in a fried dough stick, doused in cinnamon and sugar for an oomph! to the tongues of mere mortals.

Baked & Brewed is now open at 723 S. Clark St., Utica.

A new Amoco gas station and convenience store is one step closer to coming to DeKalb’s Fourth Street corridor.

Blackjack’s Gentlemen’s Club in St. Charles Township asked for reconsideration of its liquor license denial – and has threatened to sue Kane County on a First Amendment violation, documents show.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of N&T-Alternative Medicine.

The St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for a new treasurer by Aug. 18, to begin in January 2026, executive director Becky Greenlee announced.

The Mexican food establishment Burritoville became the latest this week to be granted public funds from the city of DeKalb.

Smithfield Foods in St. Charles recently donated 13,000 pounds – 6.5 tons – of salami to the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva.

After a rough season, Donnie Appleseed Orchard in La Salle has closed up shop early.

Iniga Pizzeria Napoletana was set to open a second location in Dekalb, but is instead moving to Dekalb and closing its Ottawa location, 215 W. Jefferson St.

After 75 years, WJ Stone Ace Hardware in Streator has received a new name and owners.

Uncle Chuck’s offers four styles of crust and four sauces, including vodka, pesto, fresh tomato and a signature sauce.

Five Below is a chain of specialty discount stores that prices most of its products at $5 or less, with a smaller assortment of products priced up to $25

The boutique, Seance at Tiffany’s, is on the move, headed for a new location in downtown DeKalb just in time for Corn Fest, its owners announced.

Jubilee Art Gallery owner Christy Andrews recently announced on social media that the future of the DeKalb establishment was at risk due to lowered customer interaction and sales. But since her post, she said things are looking up. "I want to thank the community," she said.

Sugarbakers serves more than 60 cocktails and over 20 martinis, along with 60 different wines, and just as many bourbons, by the bottle, glass or flight.

A long-time south suburban pizza and Italian market favorite is now open for business in Lockport.

Enigma in Geneva is a Latin fusion restaurant offering a dining experience that bridges tradition and innovation.

Happy Wok in DeKalb prepares for retirement and new management next week.

The village of Romeoville says one new business will open this fall while the other is expected to be serving customers in 2026.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the creation of Stone Creek Miniature Golf’s new Welcome Hut.

After 111 years, the former Dixon National Bank building has been restored to much of its 1914 grandeur. The building will hold a public open house from 2-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, that will run concurrently with the grand opening of the new first-floor tenant, Sleek Salon.

Hearthstone Communities, a senior living facility and nursing home in Woodstock, is closing.

A sleek space filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses and the solid thwack of a perfect swing is quietly transforming a stretch of Sterling's Galt Road into a popular social destination.

Doug Jennings has died; he founded Crystal Lake-based transportation and fulfillment company JA Frate, known for its trailers that pay tribute to fallen local servicemen and women.

After being on the market since April 2024, Graham's 318 Coffeehouse on Third Street in Geneva was sold to new owners – with the first floor tenant to be a French bistro, Bread & Vine.

Marcy Piekos, the longtime executive director of Leadership Greater McHenry County, is stepping down from her role next year.

A new studio in Sterling is turning fitness upside down, sometimes literally, with a unique twist on breaking a sweat.