🦉 Eyeing the future of a historic local building

There’s movement on the future of the Little Owl building in downtown Geneva.

You may recall the proposal from 2023 to turn the space into a new Tapville Social restaurant and bar.

According to the March 18 Geneva Historic Preservation Commission meeting agenda, the latest request “intends to follow the same concept that was approved in 2023 but with modifications.” The topic will be up for discussion at that meeting.

Long-time locals likely remember the Little Owl, a saloon and restaurant that originally opened in the building in 1935. If not, here’s a fun little Chicago Tribune restaurant review from 1987 to jog your memory.

What many might not realize is that the property (which is identified as a Contributing property in the Central Geneva Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places) has a fascinating past, beginning with its construction in 1837.

During the 188 years that followed, the building has been home to general stores, a post office, a barber shop, attorneys, publishers, doctors, printers, a Masonic Lodge, a grocery store, Geneva’s first “moving picture house,” dry goods stores, billiards halls, an electric shop and taverns.

Dive deeper: If you’re interested in learning more about the property’s history (which I recommend) or digging into the proposed project details, keep reading at page 49 in this document.

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✨ Award-winning brunch at an unbeatable price

Sunday brunch is a time-honored tradition — and you won’t find a better value in the Tri-Cities than at The Little Traveler’s Atrium Café. In fact, it was named Best Brunch in West Suburban Living’s 2024 Best of the West.

For just $12.95, enjoy a full spread of fresh, house-made favorites, from fluffy omelets with crispy bacon to Swedish pancakes and Crab Cakes Benedict. Trust me, there’s a reason so many local folks have been coming back for decades.

💥 Beyond brunch: Check out The Little Traveler’s Spring 2025 Almanack for upcoming events and exciting new products.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Violent incident: A Geneva man has been charged with attempted murder and multiple felonies after police say he brutally attacked a woman during a domestic dispute, leaving her with broken bones before she escaped and called 911.

☑️ Batavia project: Construction will begin soon at the Peace Bridge on a new ADA-accessible ramp that will replace the current stairs-only setup and make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access the east side of the Fox River.

☑️ Candidate convos: The Kane County Chronicle has been releasing podcast episodes featuring conversations with Tri-Cities candidates for Mayor, City Council and School Board. Here’s where you can listen.

☑️ Cash crunch: The Kane County Board approved reallocating nearly $500K in federal pandemic relief funds to various county projects ahead of a 2026 spending deadline — some in split votes due to concerns over transparency.

🔒 Pollution crackdown: Dumping illegal stuff into Batavia’s sewer system just got a lot more expensive after City Council voted to raise fines from $200 to as much as $20K per violation following a recent chemical dumping that caused $40K in damage.

☑️ Spring storms: Friday’s nights severe storms knocked out power for nearly 3,000 Kane County residents and tore the roof off of a church in Elgin. See video footage of the damage.

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ Wine Down Wednesdays: The STC Business Alliance is looking to bring back an outdoor weekly event that was popular before the pandemic — this time at First Street Plaza. The City Council will consider the item on Monday (3/17).

🔒 Space concerns: Geneva District 304’s latest capacity study shows that the district can handle expected enrollment changes while keeping class sizes reasonable, though officials say there’s room for better efficiency at local elementary schools.

☑️ Choo choo news: Metra is asking riders to weigh in on a possible renaming of its train lines (including the West Line that stops in Geneva) to make the system easier to navigate as it prepares to take over three former Union Pacific lines.

☑️ Scholastic accolades: Batavia High School unveiled its list of 2025-2026 Illinois State Scholars and announced that the school has won a national award for “Diversity in AP Science Course.”

☑️ Flora & flames: If you notice smoke rising from local natural areas this spring, don’t worry — it’s all part of the Kane County’s plan to maintain healthy ecosystems by conducting controlled burns at 60 area preserves. This video explains the local benefits.

🎸 Live music

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As we wait for the weekday live music schedule to ramp up for the summer, don’t forget about weekly open mic nights at local venues — you’ll find those listed on the Fox Valley Jammers Club graphic at the bottom of the live music page.

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✨ Urban Artisan: A homegrown success story worth celebrating

When Fox Valley natives Cortney and Graig Kinzler started selling hot sauce at Chicago street festivals more than a decade ago, they never would have predicted that they’d wind up at the Batavia Boardwalk Shops — let alone with a permanent storefront in a prime location on 3rd Street in Geneva.

This week, they’re celebrating their third anniversary with gifts, discounts and an open invite to the community who helped make it happen.

🤝 Local biz

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☑️ Prime property: BEI has listed for sale the property that is currently home to The Country House restaurant on Kirk Road in Geneva, touting it as “an amazing investment opportunity.” Check out the listing.

🔒 Game on: A board game-themed restaurant, Bold Boards and Bites, has received city approval to renovate and open in the vacant building at 21 N. River St. in downtown Batavia.

☑️ New Squire spot: Campton Hills is about to get a fresh new venue for food, drinks and live music when Squire Ale House officially opens this week at the former location of The Lodge.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $1.2M home on Lookout Lane in St. Charles.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes (including a 102-year-old Batavia resident).

☑️ City meetings:

• Monday (3/17): Batavia City Council (agenda)

• Monday (3/17): Geneva City Council (agenda) and Committee of the Whole (agenda)

• Monday (3/17): St. Charles City Council (agenda)

☑️ Police reports: Batavia police report summaries | Geneva police reports | St. Charles daily arrest log

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Discotiki | Tues 3/18 - Sat 3/22 | The Lewis, STC | The Lewis transforms into a tropical paradise with special tiki cocktails and a party on Saturday.

☑️ Coffee with a Cop | Wed 3/19, 10AM-12PM | Starbucks, Batavia | Chat with a local officer and meet the department dog, River!

☑️ Secrets of Batavia Forest Preserves | Wed 3/19, 7PM | Batavia Library | A deep dive on the city’s 1,700 acres of forest preserves.

☑️ Jacqueline Kennedy: A Dramatic Portrayal | Wed 3/19, 7PM | Geneva Library | A talented historian and actress plays the former First Lady.

☑️ Tip a Cop | Thurs 3/20, 6-9PM | Foxfire, Geneva | Local officers will play the role of servers with proceeds going to Special Olympics Illinois.

🎟️ Collaborative Wine Dinner | Thurs 3/20, 6-8PM | Preservation, Geneva | Enjoy creative food-and-wine pairings.

☑️ Spring Safety Academy for Seniors | Fri 3/21, 9AM-12:30PM | Batavia Park District | Tips, education and technology for home safety — plus lunch.

📖 Thanks for reading

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