What's Up St. Charles Podcast

Family. Dedication. Following their passion. These qualities have helped guide local furniture craftsman and Pearl & Sons co-owner Judah Pearl since before he and his wife, Carla Pearl, opened up Pearl & Sons on First Street. We talked to Judah about what the process has been like since he opened up shop in downtown St. Charles, how he crafts his exquisite custom-orders and much more. Don't miss o...

It's been called many names: a collaborative workspace, co-working space, makersapce, hackspace and social club. The reason why Fox. Build has so many titles is because it offers so many things for it's members to use its space for. We invited Tim Allen, Rick Calino and Doug Kimber to join us on the What's Up Downtown Podcast to give us some insight into their awesome business. Learn more about th...

This year's Jazz Weekend is almost here! Jazz artists are flocking to St. Charles on Sept. 12-15 to come play at locations throughout St. Charles. One such business, Vintage 53, will be hosting music at their location on First Street in downtown St. Charles. We invited vintage 53 owner Mario Grado to come on the show to talk about vintage 53 and his experiences with Jazz Weekend. Come learn about...

The co-working space idea has been one that's been around for awhile, but, just like podcasts, has become a booming market within the past couple of years. But what has caused this increase in popularity? We decided to investigate that in our newest episode of the What's Up Downtown Podcast: Connecting through Coworking Spaces. We are lucky to have Regus here in downtown St. Charles and even lucki...

Coming to the St. Charles is a brand new theatre company: the Kane Repertory Theatre. This new theatre company is full of ambition to create high quality productions, while promoting community. Tune in as we talk with Kane Repertory Theatre Managing Director Avery Bowne and Artistic Director Daniil Krimer as we explore their passion for theatre, what brought them to St. Charles to follow their the...

Know the best way to go through a whole lot of food in a few days? Opening a new restaurant in downtown St. Charles, especially with quality, homemade food. Flagship on the Fox found that answer after opening recently and joining our thriving downtown. Tune in as we talk with Flagship on the Fox Owner Steve Mayer on opening Flagship, what the restaurant is like, how they make their food so delicio...

Who put the Kim in Kimmer's? Kimberly Yates, the owner of Kimmers Ice Cream of course! Join us as we talk with Kimberly and the St. Charles Kimmer's Shop Manager Amy Soden - as well as a feature from studio audience member baby Oscar Yates - to learn about Kimmer's Ice Cream and all the great ice cream products they make! Come get your fill of sweets on this episode of What's Up... Downtown!

During the summer, a special event comes to First Street Plaza every Wednesday and Friday - STC Live! Talented musicians come to the plaza and grace it with their musical talents, bringing music for all to enjoy. This episode featured Dennis O'Brien, an amazing musician who plays at STC Live!, and Colm Headley, the General Manager of McNally's Irish Pub - who is all a part of Unwind Wednesdays. TU...

The Queens of the Fox River are staying downtown St. Charles! The St. Charles Park District recently acquired the historic paddlewheel boat operation that launches from Pottowatomie Park. Jennifer Bruggeman, the St. Charles Park District's assistant superintendent of operations, came to the studio to talk about the two paddlewheel riverboats and how they will continue to operate on the Fox RIver,...

The St. Charles Fine Art Show is coming up on Memorial Day Weekend, but did you know how much work goes in to creating this quality and high caliber event? Tune-in as we discuss the Fine Art Show weekend with FAS committee members and volunteers, Chris Prieve and Sue McDowell. Learn more about the show and the process of how our volunteers turn it into such an amazing event, the return of Paint th...

Want to get a taste of Michigan in downtown St. Charles? Well, 100 Grapes has just the thing for you! New to downtown St. Charles, 100 Grapes offers a great selection of mathematically good wine. Tune in to learn more about the owners Corey and Laura Hebein, what 100 Grapes is and the wines they are serving and about their ribbon cutting coming up on April 23. Come find out What's Up... Downtown!

Spring is here! As the weather gets better, it's time to start lacing up those running shoes and getting outside. One of the best places around for running shoes is Dick Pond Athletics, the oldest running specialty store in the nation. We just so happened to have had Glen Kamps, manager of the Dick Pond Athletics right here in downtown St. Charles, available to come in and talk about the process D...

Delicious and gluten-free? Say no more! Downtown St. Charles is lucky to have baking aficionados Katie McGall and Susan Kritzberg, who are owners of the outstanding bakery Two Wild Seeds, join us on this episode of the What's Up Downtown Podcast. Tune-in as we talk about Two Wild Seeds and how they came downtown St. Charles to make sweets and treats that are gluten-free and taste delicious! With w...

Want to know how to be Beautifully Equipped to collaborate? Jennifer Schimbeno, one of the three owners of Beautifully Equipped, joined us in the studio to give us some pointers on collaboration and what it can do for businesses. And if this episode isn't enough Beautifully Equipped content for you, you can listen to more of their episodes at beautifullyequipped.com. Come develop your ideas and fi...

The St. Patrick's Parade is almost here! The What's Up Downtown Podcast got a little of that Irish luck as we had Shay Clarke share some of his favorite memories and experiences working along with McNally's Irish Pub and being the emcee in the St. Patrick's Parade. Tune in to find out what Éirinn go Brách means, get a glimpse at what the parade and McNally's Irish Pub are like and get to know Shay...

Ever wonder what it's like to be the mayor of St. Charles or what Ray Rogina is like? Well, it just so happens that Mayor Rogina was able to shift some time around his busy schedule to come onto the What's Up Downtown Podcast and talk jazz and music, sports, and all things St. Charles. Get a peek behind the curtain to find out what Mayor Rogina is like and see What's Up... Downtown.

It's one of America's biggest sports of events of the year: the Super Bowl. But every Super Bowl needs a supermarket for you to get super food for your Super Bowl Party. One of the best places to get super food for the Super Bowl Party of your dreams is from Blue Goose Supermarket, which is not only one of the best supermarkets around, it's located right here in downtown St. Charles! Tune in today...

New Years resolutions are tough, but if you stick to them, the rewards are great! This episode - "More than a Membership" - explores New Year's resolutions with two downtown St. Charles business owners and fitness experts, Eric Warsaw from Sweat. Stc​ and Irene Eby from IB Fit Club​. Tune-in as we talk about fitness related New Years resolutions and how to attain and follow through on them, as wel...

Happy Holidays from the DSCP staff! It's been a tremendous year getting the podcast started and meeting and talking with so many wonderful members of the downtown St. Charles community. Thank you to all who come on the show and to all of you, our amazing listeners. We look forward to all the opportunities, joys, and memories for us to make in 2019! And that's What's Up... DOWNTOWN!!

Have you been looking for a place to find out about great drinks and even learn how to brew your own beer? Well Hey Man There's a Beverage Here at Broken Brix Home Brew Shop, Ltd. in downtown St. Charles! Tune in to our 10th published episode as we talk with Home Brew Shop owners Ed and Mike Seaman and talk about their newly renovated location, the awesome plans they have for their business and so...

Some call it fate, some call it destiny, sometimes it's as simple as a pin placed on a map. In the newest episode of the What's Up Downtown Podcast, highly accredited local business and marketing strategists Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender joined us in the DSCP offices to share not only how they arrived in and what they enjoy about St. Charles, but also share some great tips, tricks and insights i...

Happy Holidays from the DSCP Staff! Join us as we meet with Holiday Homecoming Electric Christmas Parade coordinators and volunteers Craig Larsen and Steve Martin. Sit back and relax with a tall glass of hot chocolate as we discuss some history and fond memories of the Electric Christmas Parade, what makes this event so great, and how this event is orchestrated. Come find out What's Up... Downtown...

Joining us on the What's Up Downtown Podcast all the way from the Starbucks on First Street in downtown St. Charles, Starbucks Manager Michael Morgan gives some insights into the pumpkin spice craze and other fall themed drinks, while also educating us on all things coffee with a mystery taste testing. Tune in to learn more about the world of coffee in downtown St. Charles, see if the DSCP staff c...

St. Mark's Director of Worship & Community Engagement Tim Johnson came to the DSCP offices to share some of St. Mark's Lutheran Church's events. Listen to learn about their three upcoming events: Blocktober, the monthly community supper and Abundant Blessings. You won't want to miss this episode on What's Up... Downtown.  The What's Up Downtown podcast is published on the first and third Tuesday o...

It's getting closer to Halloween so you know what that means: ghost stories. And we got a lot of them. Join us and our guest spectre inspector David Pietryla as we find the real local ghost stories in and around downtown St. Charles, while debunking some others. Prepare for some chills and thrills as we go spooky with What's Up... Downtown! Disclaimer: We do NOT recommend people visit these places...