We might take the Batavia Creamery for granted now, but its fate wasn't always so cut and dry. After working as a Baskin Robbins franchisee, Kirk Jansons wanted to sell ice cream on his own terms. But challenges with the bridge and COVID threw the whole thing into question.

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the owner of the Batavia Creamery about creating a space where everyone feels welcome, balancing work with family life, and how he's relied on the community he serves to keep going.

This season of Area Code: Batavia is brought to you by Kristine Clemens, a Real Estate Broker with @properties Christie's International Real Estate. For more information and to see how much your home is worth text HOME to 630-797-8421.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Recommended Businesses

These are the amazing local businesses that make Area Code: Batavia possible. These businesses are more than just sponsors; they're invested in our community and share our vision for a vibrant, connected Batavia.

• Real Estate Broker: Kristine Clemens, @properties Christie's International Real Estate
• Plumbing: Bulldog Plumbing
• E-Bike Rental and Sales: BOJ-E-BIKES
• Dementia Care Services: Dragonfly Senior Navigation Services
• Exterior and Interior Contractor: 212° Construction Group
• Home & Auto Insurance: Tyler Nelson – Country Financial
• Marketing Agency: Plimsoll

Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated about Area Code: Batavia and find out when new episodes are available.

Area Code: Batavia is always looking for sponsors. Click here for more information.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark. Edited and mixed by Matt Linder. Additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

Bridget Johnson, a Cuban immigrant, and Thomas Freeman, a Chicago south-side native, shared a dream. But their perspectives on that dream have been drastically different. And complimentary collaboration is exactly what makes Red Hive Market work so well.

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with Bridget and Tom about creating a diverse community of artisans, a place that felt for home for their customers, and how they made it through challenging times like the COVID pandemic.

This season of Area Code: Batavia is brought to you by Kristine Clemens, a Real Estate Broker with @properties Christie's International Real Estate. For more information and to see how much your home is worth text HOME to 630-797-8421.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Recommended Businesses

These are the amazing local businesses that make Area Code: Batavia possible. These businesses are more than just sponsors; they're invested in our community and share our vision for a vibrant, connected Batavia.

• Real Estate Broker: Kristine Clemens, @properties Christie's International Real Estate
• Plumbing: Bulldog Plumbing
• E-Bike Rental and Sales: BOJ-E-BIKES
• Pizza, etc: Windmill Grille
• Dementia Care Services: Dragonfly Senior Navigation Services
• Exterior and Interior Contractor: 212° Construction Group
• Home & Auto Insurance: Tyler Nelson – Country Financial
• Marketing Agency: Plimsoll

Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated about Area Code: Batavia and find out when new episodes are available.

Area Code: Batavia is always looking for sponsors. Click here for more information.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark. Edited and mixed by Matt Linder. Additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

Hey everybody. We're dropping into your feed on an off week to let you know about a new segment: "Settling In." On each installment of "Settling In," we'll be diving deeper into what it means to make Batavia home,  with insights and advice from our title sponsor, local real estate expert, Kristine Clemens of @Properties Christies International Real Estate.

For the next few months, you'll hear each 2-3 minute installment of Settling In on every episode of Area Code: Batavia. I'll be talking with Kristine about how she and the people she helped find homes in Batavia have managed to make our community feel more and more like a home.

But to start, I wanted to introduce you to Christine herself... Take a listen!

This season of Area Code: Batavia is brought to you by Kristine Clemens, a Real Estate Broker with @properties Christie's International Real Estate. For more information and to see how much your home is worth text HOME to 630-797-8421.

Walk around Batavia's downtown and you'll see a host of women-led businesses, of all kinds. But it wasn't always this way.

It happened because of people like Start Something Studio's Jamie Saam, who put collaboration and mutual support ahead of a solely competitive mindset.

In addition to being the owner of Bulldog Plumbing and the co-founder of Start Something Studios, Jamie is consistently leaning into community leadership and volunteer opportunities.

In this episode, we talk to Jamie Saam about her journey to being a Batavia community leader, how she balances the tensions that come with getting a project off the ground, and what happens when, despite her energetic tendencies, personal tragedy forced her to slow down.

This season of Area Code: Batavia is brought to you by Kristine Clemens, a Real Estate Broker with @properties Christie's International Real Estate. For more information and to see how much your home is worth text HOME to 630-797-8421.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Recommended Businesses

These are the amazing local businesses that make Area Code: Batavia possible. These businesses are more than just sponsors; they're invested in our community and share our vision for a vibrant, connected Batavia.

• Real Estate Broker: Kristine Clemens, @properties Christie's International Real Estate
• Plumbing: Bulldog Plumbing
• E-Bike Rental and Sales: BOJ-E-BIKES
• Pizza, etc: Windmill Grille
• Dementia Care Services: Dragonfly Senior Navigation Services
• Exterior and Interior Contractor: 212° Construction Group
• Home & Auto Insurance: Tyler Nelson – Country Financial
• Marketing Agency: Plimsoll

Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated about Area Code: Batavia and find out when new episodes are available.

Area Code: Batavia is always looking for sponsors. Click here for more information.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark. Edited and mixed by Matt Linder. Additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

As we continue to explore the significance of flags in the Batavia community, we talk about the origins and impact of the Batavia Community flag, and the Unity Pride flag, relatively new symbols in the town.

Featured on this episode:

• Flag expert Marty Callahan, chair of the Batavia flag design contest committee
• High school student Rachel Agro, designer of the Batavia Community flag
• High school graphic design teacher Kathleen Tieri Ton, who helped helped educate students and others in the community about how they can help bring a Batavia community flag to life. Kathleen is also the teacher sponsor for the BHS Pride Alliance.
• Council member Dan Chanzit, Batavia's first openly gay City Council member, who was integral in the Unity Pride flag being raised at City Hall.

This season of Area Code: Batavia is presented by BEI Real Estate. Visit their website for available spaces at www.beicre.com or reach out directly: 630-879-3680.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Recommended Businesses

These are the amazing local businesses that make Area Code: Batavia possible. These businesses are more than just sponsors; they're invested in our community and share our vision for a vibrant, connected Batavia.

• Commercial Real Estate: BEI Real Estate
• Plumbing: Bulldog Plumbing
• Marketing Agency: Plimsoll
• Dementia Care Services: Dragonfly Senior Navigation Services
• Exterior and Interior Contractor: 212° Construction Group
• Home & Auto Insurance: Tyler Nelson – Country Financial

Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated about Area Code: Batavia and find out when new episodes are available.

Area Code: Batavia is always looking for sponsors. Click here for more information.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark. Edited and mixed by Matt Linder. Additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

The day this episode is released, June 14th, is Flag Day, and it's the first Flag Day to be observed at Batavia's brand new Flag Day Monument. Meanwhile, across the lawn of the Pegbond Center, a few other flags are flying.

What is it about flags that instills such reverence in those whose community they represent?And what role do flags play in this community?

Over the course of two episodes this month, I'll ask these questions of a variety of people and share their point of view.

This week I spoke to Marty Callahan, Linda Sheilke, and Austin Dempsey about the American flag, the designation of Flag Day, and Batavia's monument to Flag Day.

This season of Area Code: Batavia is presented by BEI Real Estate. Visit their website for available spaces at www.beicre.com or reach out directly: 630-879-3680.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Recommended Businesses

These are the amazing local businesses that make Area Code: Batavia possible. These businesses are more than just sponsors; they're invested in our community and share our vision for a vibrant, connected Batavia.

• Commercial Real Estate: BEI Real Estate
• Plumbing: Bulldog Plumbing
• Marketing Agency: Plimsoll
• Dementia Care Services: Dragonfly Senior Navigation Services
• Exterior and Interior Contractor: 212° Construction Group
• Home & Auto Insurance: Tyler Nelson – Country Financial

Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated about Area Code: Batavia and find out when new episodes are available.

Area Code: Batavia is always looking for sponsors. Click here for more information.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark. Edited and mixed by Matt Linder. Additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

When Austin Dempsey had the opportunity to step into a long-term leadership role in the family business, he took it. But in the face of a global pandemic, he recognized how investing in Batavia's community would pay off for everyone in the long run.

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the CEO of BEI Commercial Real Estate about the significance of spaces to foster community, Batavia's culture of collaboration, and how Batavia's rich history results in a culture of mutual support.

This season of Area Code: Batavia is presented by BEI Real Estate. Visit their website for available spaces at www.beicre.com or reach out directly: 630-879-3680.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Subscribe to our newsletter and to never miss new episodes and receive a weekly list of 5 concrete ways to experience a deeper sense of belonging in Batavia.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark with additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

Every year, an entirely new group of entrepreneurs set up shop on the corner of Wilson and River street, with their hearts set of finding a home and community in Batavia.

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, we talk to all the boardwalk shop owners about their hopes for their time in Batavia, what led them here, and what it means to be part of the boardwalk shops community.

The Boardwalk Shops featured in this episode are:

• Scout and Gem
• Big Bear Glasses
• Jodi Mac Sweets and Treats
• Neighbors Grid Shop
• Since Seventy Five
• Home and Garden Provisions
• Bewitching Brews
• Home Run Hot Dogs and Lemonade
• Morbid Momentos
• Seapeak Style

This season of Area Code: Batavia is presented by BEI Real Estate. Visit their website for available spaces at www.beicre.com or reach out directly: 630-879-3680.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Subscribe to our newsletter and to never miss new episodes and receive a weekly list of 5 concrete ways to experience a deeper sense of belonging in Batavia.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark with additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

Craig Foltos grew up in Batavia, cleaning his Dad's barber shop. He has almost never ventured outside of the town where he was raised (once he stayed overnight in Warrenville).

But when his dad died, Craig had to come to terms with his fate, as a barber, as a Batavian, and as a consistent presence in a constantly changing town.

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the owner of Foltos Tonsorial Parlor about inheriting his dad's barber shop, what it was like living in Batavia his entire life, and how he spearheaded the Batavia "Peace Bridge".

This season of Area Code: Batavia is presented by BEI Real Estate. Visit their website for available spaces at www.beicre.com or reach out directly: 630-879-3680.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Subscribe to our newsletter and to never miss new episodes and receive a weekly list of 5 concrete ways to experience a deeper sense of belonging in Batavia.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark with additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

A "blind date" between two beer aficionados. A day spent praying and fasting. A wedding invitation with a familiar passage. A pre-designed logo featuring a familiar building. These are just some of the serendipitous moments that lead to Sturdy Shelter Brewing, and that made the founding of the brewery in Batavia, IL seem almost fated.

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, recorded live in front of an audience, a conversation with Frank, Diane, and Oliver about the hopes, dreams, prayers, and fasting that led them to launch a brewery with a specific, unique focus on the "spirituality of hospitality."

This season of Area Code: Batavia is presented by BEI Real Estate. Visit their website for available spaces at www.beicre.com or reach out directly: 630-879-3680.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by Bulldog Plumbing. To schedule an appointment, call: 630-313-9109.

Subscribe to our newsletter and to never miss new episodes and receive a weekly list of 5 concrete ways to experience a deeper sense of belonging in Batavia.

Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark with additional production help from Jennifer Clark.