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.

Preserved Peculiarities, which moved from McHenry's Riverwalk Shoppes incubator to a more permanent location downtown, sells things like bugs mounted under glass, dioramas of dried flowers and butterflies, animal skulls, rabbits feet, tattooed pigs ears, exotic animal mounts and materials for Wiccan and Pagan followers.

Collecting 20 or more signatures/stamps will entitle diligent seekers’ entry into a grand-prize drawing for Waldo books and other prizes, including gift cards and other goodies. All participants are welcome to attend the celebration party at Books on First at 1 p.m. Aug. 2.

A fascinating and immersive dive into a magnificent period of Japanese art and culture is as close as Glen Ellyn.

A $45,500 contract to create a conceptual master plan for the now-Bradley-owned Northfield Square mall has been approved by the Bradley Village Board.

A higher sales tax for Woodstock was approved by the City Council. Find out how much shoppers will pay when that kicks in.

DuPage Count's first community-owned grocer has opened in Lombard

The first restaurants and businesses to occupy the retail section of the Water’s Edge development in Crystal Lake have been revealed.

Bringing forth the freshest flavors of the season is the motivator at Bothwell Farms, offering its own retail locations in Manhattan and New Lenox, and delivering its produce to farmers markets in Will, Grundy and suburban Cook counties.

The ‘"Passport to Downtown Batavia" shopping promotion and fundraiser is July 26, sponsored by Qui Travel, Travel a Latte and the Batavia Woman’s Club.

Internode Greenery & Home in Joliet and the Fit Foundation in Crest Hill, were part of a series of four-minute videos the Illinois Retails Merchants Association is showcasing.

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

Making an inventive variety of sourdough loaves among her creations, Alli Daugherty of Morris is known for popular breads including Classic Original Sourdough, Cheesy Jalapeño, Smoked Gouda and Everything Bagel.

American-Male, which originally opened in 1977, had been closed for a number of years.

Apple Butter and Shugie’s has a new home in downtown Morris, where spacious new quarters offer a fresh shopping experience.

Elgin Vintage and Double Take Consignment offer trendy retro fashions at a fraction of retail costs.

Rock bands take the stage as festivals and concert series unfold across the suburbs, complemented by cruise nights, Wheaton Drama's new show, a spotlight on rarely seen artworks and an antiques sale fundraiser.

A celebration of homemade, homegrown and handcrafted specialties, the Blackberry Lane Farmstand in Channahon features an array of local artisans’ products from functional to edible.

Whole Foods Market will host a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, June 25, at 300 S. Second St. in St. Charles.

Homer Glen will host its annual community-wide garage sale on Friday and Saturday.

The Michaels Companies, Inc. has acquired JOANN’s intellectual property and private label brands, Michaels announced on June 5.

The Zonta Club of the Joliet Area has named Terri Taylor, owner of Persona Grata in Shorewood, as its Woman of the Year.

National discount retailer Dollar Tree recently opened a new store in Shorewood.

A major antiques show, date night options, entertainment at Morton Arboretum, vintage cars, debut of performance venue, festival fun and an arts weekend are all on tap in DuPage and Cook counties.

Summer concerts in Downers Grove, farmers markets, a major art exhibition and a stage comedy gem are happening this weekend.

Outdoor farmers market season is underway this spring, with many options in the McHenry County area.

Costco is receiving a $10 million sales tax rebate from the city, which will most likely be paid off between 10-20 years, according to documents of the agreement.

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

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

May Fest will bloom at Cantigny, while Wheaton separately plays host to a mac-and-cheese festival. Concerts will showcase folk and classical artists, while the game's afoot for "Miss Holmes Returns."

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops open for the 2025 season Friday, May 9.

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.

Art in Wilder Park and Lilac Time lead off festival fun, and there's also a DuPage and Cook lineup of hit rock bands, classical gems, kite flying and history tours.

One day before the Fiscal Year 2026 begins, the Bradley Village Board unanimously approved a $21.9 million budget, with an excess of nearly $1.5 million.

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

Make gifting a snap for showers, housewarming parties and more with this Batavia business.

The owners of the staple downtown Crystal Lake retail store The Clothes Gallery are celebrating 30 years of business this week with a celebration party on Saturday.

Construction on the incubator shops in downtown Huntley is about to begin.

An eclectic weekend will color March with everything from rising young vocalists to Broadway tunes in a heartfelt benefit for the love of live theater, a true-history play and an arts and crafts fair.

Three McHenry retail stores - two from the Riverwalk Shoppes and one recent relocation - opened this week to take advantage of the crowds during ShamROCKS the Fox