After Hours

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of Mirus Batavia with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 15. The new restaurant is located at 15 E. Wilson St. Mayor Jeffery Schielke presided over the celebration along with Melissa Monno and John Hamel, Mirus owners. General Manager Ryan Shaver, Chef Rick Kaniuga and Sous Chef Wayne Schaible also represented the restaurant. Among the well-wishers were Melissa's father, Larry Monno; Batavia Chamber President Margaret Perreault, Shirley Mott, chamber communications and membership coordinator; Beth Walker, executive director of Batavia MainStreet; and Kristen Desler, Batavia MainStreet assistant director. Also in attendance were Lori Botterman, city of Batavia communications manager, Batavia Chamber board members, ambassadors, and community members.

On Sept. 7 the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce helped Michaja Johnson, owner of MPJ OT, celebrate her one-year anniversary in Bloomingdale. Johnson moved from Chicago and opened MPJ OT last year. Johnson runs a small private practice in Bloomingdale, offering one-on-one Occupational Therapy & Speech Therapy. She specializes in sensory integration & using play as an avenue of growth. Pictured from left to right: Mike Davison (Platt Hill Nursery), Lacey Peters (Midwest Speech Therapy), Joe Basile (D1Training), Katie Bendis (Bloomingdale Chiropractor), Mike Hovde (Hovde Tufo Law), Lilly Aguilar (Solutions Cleaning), Dave Rogers (Bloomingdale Township), Kristy Malone (Oasis Senior Advisors), Michaja Johnson owner of MPJ OT (holding sissors), Branka Poplonski (Century 21 Affiliated), Tish Graf (MPJ OT), Susan DiMeo-Sargent (Pan American Bank & Trust), Dr. Aimee Harris Newon (The Center of Functional & Integrative Health & Wellness), Laura Westney (Fit Project) and Bob Urena (R.U. Marketing Support Local).

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting for Shoot 360 at 2012 Corporate Lane, Suite 140, Naperville. The ceremony was facilitated with esteemed Ambassadors and community members, as well as civic leaders. Councilwoman Patty Gustin represented the city of Naperville. Fred Jones, co-president of Shoot 360 and former NBA player said the Naperville location, is the first in the Chicago area but, they are planning on expanding throughout the Chicago area.

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting for Impact Physical Therapy at 116 West Gartner Road, Suite 104, Naperville on Sept. 15. Mayor Chirico welcomed Sarah Jensen and Maria Dussias co-founders, to Naperville and thanked them for choosing Naperville to open their eighth location.

On Sept. 20 the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce helped Minas Gerais Krustallos, aka MGK Rock Shop, celebrate their three years in business. MGK opened in September 2019 before COVID shut down businesses. However MGK not only survived COVID and their first years in business, they thrived and moved down a few doors to open a larger store front. Pictured from left to right: Back Row: Mike Hovde, Superintendent of Bloomingdale Township, John Dabrowski, Bloomingdale Township Assessor, Annie Kasak of Annie Occasion for Any Occasion, Dave Rogers of Bloomingdale Township, Jasmine Ni of Cabinets, Granite Direct, Glenn Dailey of Paragon Group 1, Ltd. Front Row: Kyle, Wellington & Gay Farreira owners of Minas Gerais Krustallos

The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce gathered with the Village of South Barrington and Arboretum management for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 20 to celebrate the opening of Star Cinema Grill at 100 W. Higgins Rd. in The Arboretum of South Barrington. Ribbon-cutting attendees included: Tony Dobrez, Mike Noah and Emily Pacetti (Star Grill Cinema); Suzanne Corr (Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce); Doug McAllister (Douglas Automotive); Paula McCombie and Thomas Roman (Village of South Barrington); Cory Born, Stacy Kallas, Tayler Mikel and Monica Josephson (The Arboretum of South Barrington); Dr. Sandy Trehan (Trehan Dental); Steve Wilson (CBIZ); and Martha Goodman Stack (Wells Fargo Advisors).

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce celebrated the first anniversary of Batavia Chamber member The Executive Geek with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 22. The event was held on the steps of the Batavia Chamber's office, 106 W. Wilson St. in Batavia. Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke presided over the celebration, along with the owner, Heather Kwitschau, and her husband, Jeremy.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting celebrating Bloom + Bread, 227 S. Third St., Geneva on Oct. 22. Owner Cat Battista cut the ribbon, surrounded by her family, her mom Corrine Pierog, Kane County Board Chair and her employees, friends, chamber staff, ambassadors and pug Cupcake.