Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
My Favorite Local Spots (St. Charles, IL + Beyond)
7
items If I’m spending money somewhere, it’s probably on this list.
These are local businesses I actually use - whether it’s food, services, or vendors I trust for my own business. No random recommendations, just real-life favorites.
Sections
7
Restaurants I Keep Going Back To
Small Businesses I Love Supporting
Vendors I Use for My Own Business
Services Worth Every Dollar
Coffee, Treats & Casual Stops
Hidden Gems
Restaurants I Keep Going Back To
The places I go when I don’t want to risk a bad meal. These are my go-to spots for everything from casual nights to “I don’t feel like cooking.”
Chef Abdul’s is one of my favorite local spots.
It’s family owned and operated, and most days you’ll find Chef Abdul himself there—smiling, cooking, and doing his best to fatten everyone up in the best way.
The space is filled with pieces from Iraq...
Chef Abdul Mediterranean
Small Businesses I Love Supporting
Fellow small business owners doing really good work. These are shops I’ve bought from, followed, or recommended to others.
DK Decor Studio is a Black woman-owned Etsy shop I absolutely love supporting. Kenetha, the owner, has created custom shirts for me for events, and every time she delivers exactly what I’m looking for. Even though she’s not local to St. Charles, I’ll...
DKdecorStudio
Vendors I Use for My Own Business
The behind-the-scenes people and services that help me run Dream Maker Pins. These are trusted, tested, and worth knowing if you run a business too.
Beth is a fellow woman-owned business owner and just genuinely wonderful to work with.
She’s a cancer survivor and creates really special memory animals from loved ones’ clothing, along with custom embroidery. She’s embroidered my logo onto sweatshi...
Sewing From The Hart
Services Worth Every Dollar
The services I keep going back to—whether it’s beauty, wellness, or just things that make life easier.
Clearwave Car Wash has been one of the best memberships I’ve signed up for. I have the unlimited monthly plan, so I can pull right up, the gate opens with my windshield sticker, and I’m through in minutes. The wash itself does a great job, but the re...
Clearwave Car Wash
Coffee, Treats & Casual Stops
My go-to spots for a quick stop, a treat, or a reset during the day.
Arcedium Coffeehouse is one of my go-to spots in St. Charles. Great coffee, amazing pastries, and solid lunch options—plus they roast their own beans, which makes a difference. It’s right by the riverfront walking trail, has a great meeting room, and...
Arcedium Coffeehouse
Hidden Gems
The places that don’t always get the spotlight but absolutely deserve it.
Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve is one of my favorite places to get outside without having to go far. It’s a beautiful nature escape right in the middle of the city, with well-maintained trails for running, biking, or even cruising on my electric scooter...
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
Big Companies That Don’t Feel Like It
These aren’t necessarily local businesses, but they’ve earned a spot on this list because of their customer service.
Whether it’s how they handle issues, communicate, or just consistently show up, these are companies that actually make you feel take...
I’ve had consistently great experiences here, which is not always the case with dealerships.
They’ve been easy to work with, communicative, and never made the process feel stressful. That kind of service goes a long way.
I personally use Kayla in ...
Gerald Subaru of North Aurora