What's Up Downtown Podcast

Break out your pen and paper - it's time to talk about the St. Charles Writer's Group! St. Charles Writer's Group Facilitator, Lisa Macaione, joined us on the podcast to talk about their plans to celebrate their 30th anniversary, how to join one of their workshops and read her original piece "Ode to St. Charles, Illinois"

Summer is right around the corner! Nick and Nate talk through all the upcoming events to kick-off your summer in style, activities to explore and so much more.

The 2025 STC Six Collaboration recipient is Support Over Stigma - a non-profit that provides essential services for military personnel, veterans and first responders. We talk with the Zoeie Kreiner, Support's Over Stigma's President & CEO, about the organization, her journey creating the organization 5 years ago and what it means to her organization to be chosen as the recipient for this year's STC Six program. TW: Depression, Suicide

The St. Charles Fine Art show is this weekend on May 24 & 25! Get a preview of the show with ceramics artist Corey Bechler, who has been one of the familiar faces at the art show. We talk pottery, the difference between happy birds and angry birds and what to expect at Corey's booth during the Fine Art Show.

We got an episode full of (Chicago) style! Ryan, Tyler and Brian Rudowicz joined us on our podcast to talk hot dogs and interesting hot dog toppings, late night snacks and why Rud Dogs is open until 2 a.m. on the weekends.

You do-NUT want to miss this episode as we talk with Sue Park and Sophie Kim, sisters and creative geniuses at Dear Donuts! We talk how to make brioche donuts, their story and how they are closing in on their second anniversary and how Nate has a pretty bad British accent.

Let's taco-bout Taco Urbano as Mario Spina, Owner of Taco Urbano & the Pride Stores, came on our podcast to share some of Taco Urbano's tasty dishes, their plans for Cinco De Mayo and how to make gas stations into culinary experiences.

It's gonna be May and we have a full calendar of events coming to St. Charles! We have holidays such as Cinco De Mayo, Memorial Day and Mother's Day, the St. Charles Fine Arts Show, Chicagoland Gems and Minerals Show, and so much more!

We're putting the pedal to the metal with a cruise through motorcycle history as we are talking with Andy Koczwara, the owner of the new St. Charles Motorcycle Museum & Art Gallery. Learn more about the history of the 200+ motorcycles in Andy's collection, why you need to try some of their signature wines and some of Andy's world-wide adventures!

Let's get ready to shop till you want to drop! We're preparing for the St. Charles Spring Shop Crawl this weekend by talking with Diane Dewell, owner of Industrial Treasures! Come see what treasures you can discover at Industrial Treasures during the Shop Crawl, Diane's keen eye for treasures and some statement pieces like the Pink Horse!

Get ready for a 10/10 episode as we check-in with Andrew Carlin, the Executive Director for the Afterimage Film Festival, and the upcoming festival's must-see movies, Q&A's with movie directors and much more.

Time to make your dancing dreams a reality with Nick and Marta Rodriguez and their new dance studio, I Dream Dance Studio. Come see how they can inspire you with the skills you need to start your dance journey here in St. Charles.

We're setting the beat for the St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade this Saturday! We're joined by Dan Tesch from the Chicago Highlanders - one of the phenomenal bagpipe bands in the parade - and our events team to walk through the day of events!

Get ready to raise a toast as Riverlands Brewing Company is celebrating six years here in St. Charles! Riverlands Co-Founder, Steve Marck, joined Nick and Nate to test their Riverlands & beer trivia knowledge, share what you need to check out at the Sixth Anniversary Party and what's brewing at Riverlands. Cheers!

We're going on an adventure as we are talking with the new owners of Urban Air Trampoline Park - Hetal and Parag Surati. We talked birthday parties, all the fun activities and their upcoming summer camps on this episode of the What's Up St. Charles Podcast.

We're Wired Up and ready to go for this episode as Nick and Nate talk with Wired Up Party Zone Owner Michael Poulos about Wired Up, what you can see at the space and whether Michael likes Sonic or Mario the most!

Don't let the winter weather get you down, come along with Nick and Nate as we look toward spring in St. Charles! There plenty of spring events that will be here before we know it so make sure to mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing spring here in St. Charles!

Let's MEAT Zach Fisher - the owner of Puff Shack Barbecue here in St. Charles. Come learn about how this new business is cooking up some delicious barbecue in St. Charles, how they make their own sauces and rubs in house and much more.

Let's talk New Year's resolutions! If you're having a hard time maintaining those fitness goals or want to start some new ones, then you need to check out Medfitness! Medfitness owner Richard Wolff shared with us the importance of weight training and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle!

Congratulations to Arcedium Coffeehouse, who has BEAN here for over 16 years and was recently selected to our Made in St. Charles Program! We talked with Dennis & Celeste Walker to find out more about their time here St. Charles, their delicious coffees, beverages and food and so much more!

Let's CUT to the chase with Ginger Root Hair Salon! Ginger Root Hair Salon Owner Frank Perrelli joined Nick and Nate to talk about their 25th anniversary in the St. Charles area, hairstyles, and what the deal is with the motorcycle in Ginger Root's window.

Let's go shopping at Double Take Consignment! Double Take Consignment owner, Tammi Rojek, came on the What's Up St. Charles podcast to talk Holidays in St. Charles, Double Take's upcoming 12 Days of Christmas specials and more.

Get ready to fill up on what to check out before, during and after Thanksgiving as Nick and Nate share what's going on around town. Plus, we have a special interview with Jarrett Payton - who, along with his family, will be the grand marshal for the Electric Christmas Parade!

Our episode with West Valley Graphics is fresh off the press! West Valley Graphics owner Chris McClurg joined us to talk about how West Valley Graphics supports local businesses with a plethora of printing options. Plus, we debate on the best sides for Thanksgiving!

If you're looking FORE! a place to improve your golf skills, check out Brian King Performance Golf! Nick and Nate talked with Brian King about his golfing experiences, what his classes look like and his phenomenal golfing simulators.

Prepare for some history and mystery as our St. Charles history expert - Steve Gibson - joined Nick and Nate to tell St. Charles history and scary stories from the St. Charles Municipal building basement.

"Come on in you foolish mortals!" Ghouslish Mortals is here to help you get ready for Halloween as Dove Dove Thiselton and Warwick Price talk about what you can find and be afraid of at Ghoulish Mortals.

Get the in-CIDER scoop on what you can check out at Broken Brix Home Brew Shop during Scarecrow Weekend! Plus, co-owners Mike and Ed Seaman share their favorite brews, expertise on brewing and a secret menu to try out!

We got only gourd-vibes on this episode as Nick and Nate share all the events and activities to enjoy in St. Charles this fall! And just as fall brings change, we have to say see you soon to our Board President, Chris Woelffer, as he talked through the things he enjoyed and what he will miss the most about St. Charles.

Prepare for a new act from Kane Repertory Theatre as Kane County Repertory Theatre Board Members - Mary Kruse and Lisa Macaione - share their previous theatre experience, the history of the theatre company, and much more.

Grab a partner and get ready to dance at Fred Astaire Dance Studio - St. Charles! Studio Manager, Jackie Josephs, joined us on the podcast to talk about how Fred Astaire can get you started on your dancing journey.

Prepare to be MESSMER-ized as famous singer and speaker, Wayne Messmer, joins us on the What's Up St. Charles podcast to share his inspirational story and talk about his upcoming St. Charles Jazz Weekend performance at Moonlight Theatre. TW: Violence

You'll love getting to learn more about STC L.E.A.R.N. - the non-profit chosen to receive a donation from the STC Six. We had STC L.E.A.R.N.S board members, Cheryl Denz & Dawn Lutz, to talk about what the non-profit does to help D303 students.

It's time to celebrate! Join us as we cook up some fun at Fox Den Cooking with Fox Den Cooking owner - Jessica Evans - to celebrate our 200th episode and 6th anniversary of the What's Up St. Charles podcast! You can also come watch the full video from this episode on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/URe6cg8fOk4?si=0y7Mi3-PxxtjPCjf

Goodbye summer and hello fall! Nick and Nate are bringing you all the things to do so you can close out your summer with a bang and get ready for all of the St. Charles fall fun.

Join us as we celebrate all that our phenomenal summer intern, Lexi Leden, accomplished this summer and her advice for anyone aspiring to be the next St. Charles Business Alliance Summer Intern.

Get ready to hop on over to D & G Brewing for their six year anniversary celebration! Plus, learn about how Alex Drayer, owner of D & G, got started in the world of brewing, their fun weekly events, and the strong community they've built in St. Charles.

Everyday is a soiree at the Makoma House! Come see how Maggie and Abby Komes turned a lunch talk into a business, what to find at Makoma House and more!

Time to get up and dance as we talk with Brittni Thorne, the owner of The Dance Lab here in St. Charles. Come learn about their Friday night social dances, private lessons and much more!

Get ready for a fairytale as we talk with Elizabeth Rago - the organizer of the magical St. Charles Fairy Walk - on her story, how the Fairy Walk started and how you can find some magic and wonder in St. Charles!

This episode was quite the treat as we talked with Kimmer's Ice Cream Owners Kimberly & Isaac Yates about Kimmer's, as well as getting a (blindfolded) taste of their delicious summer flavors!

Nick and Nate are bringing their summer update to help make sure your summer isn't a bummer! Come explore some amazing upcoming summer community events, fun summer activities and more!

Making a grand return to the What's Up St. Charles Podcast is one our first guests on our podcast, Jeans & A Cute Top Shop owner Jill Card, as well as a new guest with Store Manager, Vanessa Trelford. Catch up with everything new at JCTS as we talk passion for fashion, jeans for queens and necklaces for... necks? and much more!

My Body USA is here to revolutionize your workouts with their incredible EMS equipment - which can turn a 90-minute workout grind and condense it down to just 20 minutes! Come hear for yourself with My Body USA owner, Machelle Buchel, and My Body USA trainer, Milupa King!

Get ready for a picture perfect podcast episode as we talk with local photographer Drew Pertl about his excitement to showcase his phenomenal drone photography at the upcoming St. Charles Fine Art Show!

Who's ready to rock?! Come check out the Chicagoland Gems & Minerals Association's 47th Annual 'Planet of the Rocks' show at the Kane County Fairgrounds! CGMA President, Cary Hedrick, and CGMA Show Chair, Mark Kuntz, talked through all you can enjoy during the event on Memorial Day weekend.

Get ready to explore St. Charles with Nick and Nate as they share what's coming to St. Charles on Memorial Day Weekend!

Fieldhouse by the Fox has pickleball courts, open gyms and plenty of events for you to explore! Fieldhouse by the Fox owner Megan Ozzello shared about how the fieldhouse can be your perfect spot to unwind and play, as well as have a great private party!

Get ready to say Yee-Haw as we saddle up to learn about Rudy's Bar, R House, The Beach Hut and St. Charles motorcars with Rudy's co-owners and father-son duo Brian & Tyler Rudowicz.

Thank you to the Fox River Trail Runners as they help keep our community running! We talked with the Fox River Trail Runner's President - Ravi Sundara - & Vice President - Brian Scott - on the steps they take to put on amazing races, support the Fox Valley running community and more!

Happy one-year anniversary to House of Charlemagne! Co-owners Lauren Garbutt and Rachel McCarthy joined us to talk through their first year here, their participationg in the upcoming St. Charles Spring Shop Crawl and the best spots for an Aperol Spritz.