Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Spirit Halloween Opens Store In Aurora Ahead Of Spooky Season

Be sure to catch Naperville Artisan Market at CityGate Centre (This Sat-Sun, Sep 19-20) on the Aurora Patch calendar

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Good morning Aurora! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • New Spirit Halloween store haunts former Harlem Furniture on Route 59
  • Thinking about Blackberry Farm? Here's what Aurora families should know first.
  • How record tourism dollars are reshaping the greater Aurora area

Also on today's calendar: Naperville Artisan Market at CityGate Centre (This Sat-Sun, Sep 19-20) and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Periods of sun; not as warm, with a high of 76 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Saturday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 79, low: 65.
  • Sunday: Some rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 69 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Spirit Halloween Opens Store In Aurora Ahead Of Spooky Season (patch.com) — Aurora residents can now gear up for spooky season at the new Spirit Halloween store that just opened in the former Harlem Furniture building at 732 Route 59. The pop-up shop, part of a statewide rollout, offers costumes, animatronics, and décor and is open daily with extended evening hours.
   

• Pony Rides, A Carousel And A Train Fill This Farm Park In Aurora, Illinois (takingthekids.com) — Blackberry Farm on Aurora's west side offers locals an all-in-one day out with pony rides, a beloved carousel, and the Big Rock Steam Train all included in admission. Families get living-history exhibits, barns full of animals, a big adventure playground, and seasonal extras like themed train rides and skating. Hours vary by season, so Aurora parents are urged to check times before heading over.
   

• Tourism officials say local visitor spending hit record high in 2025 (tricitiescentral.com) — Visitor spending in the Aurora area, including parts of Kane, DuPage, and Kendall counties, hit a record $288.85 million in 2025, outpacing statewide growth. The Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau says tourism now supports over 3,000 local jobs and $14.5 million in tax revenue. Geneva and Elburn have joined Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia, and others in a unified regional tourism push.
   

📸 Around Aurora

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Aurora

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Addicted To Love: A Robert Palmer Dance Party- live on the Outdoor Rooftop —Mike Brick Read on Patch
  • Looking for morning childcare for 10 year-old twins- and a 12-year-old 6:30 AM to about 8:30 AM and or until they get on the bus.
    Must be comfortable giving medication and waking stubborn children also some ADHD behaviors. Starting ASAP perfect second job for some extra cash… (Nextdoor Oakhurst)
  • Now that I've been homeless for a month and a half, I see there aren't any resources available for my cat and I.
    I'd like to get my own way of helping myself as well as others with places to live for all who have fallen on hard times. A non-profit organization I… (Nextdoor Hunters Ridge)
  • NRG Energy, Inc. posted a job opening for Combustion Turbine Technician in Aurora. Apply here.
  • Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Chick-fil-A Front of House Team Member in Aurora. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Aurora here.

🗞 Nearby News

North Aurora

  • Doomed To Failure, Route 59's Proposed Gas Station, Car Wash Yanked Off Joliet City Council Agenda (patch.com)

Montgomery

Batavia

  • Child Bike Trailer Stuck 'Near Or Beneath' Pickup Truck Following Crash: Batavia Police (patch.com)
  • Rick Armstrong's 5 high school football games to watch in the Aurora-Elgin area and Week 5 predictions (bnd.com)

Ok Aurora! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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