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

As Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the holiday season, chambers and downtown groups across the Illinois Valley are reminding shoppers to stay local and support small businesses while buying gifts for loved ones.

Ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding residents to use caution when shopping online or in stores.

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.

The holiday shopping season is officially underway at Hawthorn, and guests are invited to shop, sip, and celebrate with a full calendar of festive events.

Lustig Jewelers—a family-owned jewelry store founded in 1949 by Ted Lustig—is continuing that story under the leadership of Michael Helfer, the third generation to carry forward a family tradition rooted in diamonds and fine craftsmanship.

Primark, the international retailer offering quality fashion at value prices, for the first time has opened two new stores simultaneously at Simon Mall locations in Illinois and Texas.

Will County communities are getting ready to welcome in the holiday season with these festivals, parades and tree lightings.

What will start with a great day of supporting local small businesses on Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, will continue into December this year, as Discover Dixon’s Support Local promotion offers shoppers a chance to win prizes totaling $750.

Farmers are rebuilding turkey flocks hit hard by avian flu, and overall demand has declined. That combination is helping keep turkey costs down for families this Thanksgiving.

Whether it will be built on a site under construction on U.S. Route 34 and Kendall Point Drive is not entirely clear. In February, village trustees unanimously approved plans for a 12,500-square-foot grocery store.

Real estate investment and brokerage firm Wyn Group reports it closed on the building and property for about $7.9 million.

The highly anticipated members-only shopping warehouse is already creating a large footprint in the Yorkville community.

Shoppers are expected to line-up for the grand opening beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 12. The new location is at at 825 E. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville.

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

Hibbett Sports will sell shoes and apparel at 359 S. Weber Road in the space formerly occupied by Maurice’s.

The Gnome Colony, a boutique in Glen Ellyn, is a fanciful shoppe for baubles, bangles and beauty products he calls “a sanctuary for the spirit," says owner Michael Perich

Huntley is set on Saturday, Nov. 1 to debut Shops on Main, an incubator with 10 small store spaces downtown where new brick-and-mortar retailers are able to test out their business models.

The 15th Annual Artisan Faire will return to the Kankakee County Museum on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The second annual fall Arts & Crafts Show continues Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway in East Moline.

A segment on WTTW's "Chicago Stories" about iconic, defunct department store Marshall Field's features commentary by a McHenry County College instructor.

The store’s last day of service was Oct. 3, according to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Joliet Council thrift stores website.

Just in-time for the turkey-rush, the brand new Costco in Yorkville will be celebrating its grand opening on Nov. 12.

Downtown Dixon rolled out the black carpet Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, and invited shoppers, diners and hunters to check out all the area has to offer for Discover Dixon's Witches Night Out.

About 300 vintage shops and barns, high-end consignment and boutiques throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois are gearing up for the annual fall Vintage Shop Hop the weekend of Oct. 3 and 4.

On Jan. 1, 2026, Johnsburg will begin charging an additional 1/2% sales tax, bringing the village tax to 1% and its total sales tax to 8.25%

A new Burlington store is opening Friday along Randall Road in Algonquin.

Northfield Square mall served as a unique backdrop for a recent music video filmed for the Boston-based rock band Fleshwater, with a local filmmaker helping to produce the project. The band will play at Chicago’s Thalia Hall Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Johnsburg Village Board on Tuesday decided to hold off on a vote to increase its sales tax, eyeing potential special tax district

The Lumberyard is a recreation and shopping destination, and home to Refuge Coffee and The Rusty Rooster, an eclectic home decor store.

The Algonquin Commons shopping center has been sold to new owners about a year after it went on the market.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of a boutique, Scout and Gem.

The Morris City Council voted to revoke the business license of Morris Mart, a convenience store at 309 Liberty St., after it was found to be selling electronic cigarettes.

Gurnee Mills has announced a list of new retailers joining their retail mix of nearly 200 stores.

C&C Vision Gallery in Joliet . in Joliet offers bilingual staff, medical and refractive eye exams, diagnosis and treatment of dry eye syndrome, contact lens expertise and a wide variety of frames to fit a wide variety of budgets.

The popular community-wide event gives residents the opportunity to clean out their homes, find new treasures, and shop local bargains throughout the Sauk Valley.

Aurora antique furniture store Warehouse 55 will move into the former Hearth & Hammer location in downtown Batavia next month after operating for 6 years in Aurora.

One new addition will be Uzu Revolving Sushi, which is a dine-in restaurant with a fresh take on rotary sushi. The restaurant is expected to open this Fall.

The village of Shorewood recently issued a new seasonal business license to Spirit Halloween.

A Ricky Rockets Fuel Center is coming, and the new Hollywood Casino Joliet is in business. But it's not clear what else is coming to Rock Run Collection.

Downtown Joliet is home to Audiophil's Records, The Strange and Unusual Gallery, Prison City Vintage and more!

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

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

People take part in McHenry's 815 Day on Aug. 15, 2025, at the several locations in McHenry. The idea behind the first-time event to promote the city and its retailers was to celebrate the nexus of the community's area code, 815, and the date.

The 12 new retailers sell artisan goods and foods in the newly opened plaza.

The first annual event is set for Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Main Street Merchants.

A mother-and-daughter duo opened McHenry’s The Hideous Heart last year and recently moved to a larger space at 5302 W. Elm St. in McHenry.

Visit these unique pop-up and mini shops in McHenry, Batavia and Utica for one-of-a-kind items.

In addition to offering apparel and other items, owner Alicia Percudani serves clients with a commercial direct-to-film printer at Main Street Tees.

Customers at McHenry's Preserved Peculiarities can find bugs mounted under glass, dioramas of dried flowers and butterflies, animal skulls, rabbits feet from real rabbits, tattooed pigs ears, and exotic animal mounts.