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Good morning, Princeton. Local businesses are braving the chill with hot deals, flavorful specials, and creative updates across town. From Taco Tuesday at Tony’s Butt Shack and dirty sodas to new jumpsuits at The Studio Boutique and handcrafted soaps at Rachel Rene, there’s something fresh at every turn. Princeton Closet is giving away wine corks, Corner Chair Market has new side tables, and Wild Honey is fully stocked with Valentine’s gifts.

Let’s do it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes For Sale
🍽️Lenny and Joons
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
💕Galentines
👷Job Openings
🍿At the Apollo

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• BCR: A Logan Junior High School musician, Delilah Gyurkovics, was selected for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State Music Festival following an audition process held in October.

• Some very violent crimes were allegedly committed last fall in Princeton.

• Quilts of Valor will host a National Sew Day on Feb. 7 where participants can work on quilt and block kits, buy a $7 lunch with free drinks, and enjoy door prizes plus a silent auction at 1339 N. Euclid Ave.

• Princeton Christian Academy released its second-quarter honor roll for the 2025–26 school year, recognizing seventh- and eighth-grade students Trey Hamilton, Makaylee McCoy, Violet Scruggs, Elissa Slevin, Fritz Anderson, Donovan Blotevogel, Carson Bullington, Levi Eggers, Jocelyn Pratt, and Noelle Richey, along with high school students Amelia Baker, Lily Bullington, Sasha Crew, Abi Freeman, David Lunger, Nolan Lunger, Annalise Baker, Trustin Crew, Max Gibson, Michael Glass, and Santi Slevin.

• The Princeton Public Schools Foundation announced that the 2026 scholarship application is now available. The flyer lists multiple scholarships for seniors and recent graduates, with an application deadline of March 19, 2026.

• Enrollment opens March 4th for Preschool–High School at Princeton Christian Academy.

• The Rotary Club also invites 6th–8th grade students to a free outdoor adventure event on Saturday, February 7. The day includes transportation, lunch, a winter hike, nature activities, and campfire food at Echo Bluff Park.

📍Outside City Limits

• Free Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at the Walnut Fire Department on February 8

• Emergency crews responded to a grain bin rescue Monday afternoon just south of Granville. One fatality was reported while another person was life-flighted from the scene, officials on-scene say.

• A stretch of a busy thoroughfare in Peru remains closed Monday.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• This 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family farmhouse offers 1,440 square feet of living space on a 2-acre lot and was originally built in 1908. The property includes two sheds, a corn crib, multiple apple trees, a newer 2+ car garage with concrete floors, and a brand-new gravel driveway. Interior highlights include fresh flooring in several rooms, newly painted spaces, a functional mudroom with laundry, and an enclosed front porch, along with a 16’ x 12’ rear deck. Priced at $219,800, the home combines rural charm with recent updates and ample outdoor space.

• A commercial office building at 680 West Peru Street is listed for sale by owner for $179,900, or available to lease for $2,000/month. The listing notes 2,400 sq. ft., a large reception area, 5 large offices, a work room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and that it’s furnished (contact (815) 993-5374).

• This 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family home is listed for $159,999 and offers 1,172 sq ft of living space on a 1.39-acre lot. Inside, recent updates include newer flooring and fresh paint, plus a standout bathroom with heated floors and a double walk-in shower with bench seating. Convenient features include main-level laundry with washer and dryer, a floored attic for storage, and a full unfinished basement ready for future finishing. Additional upgrades and amenities include copper plumbing, newer 6-inch gutters, 200-amp electrical service, and ample outdoor storage with a 2-car detached garage and multiple outbuildings; the property is being sold as-is with conventional or cash buyers only.

🍽️LENNY AND JOON’S UPDATE

Hi everyone! We know we’ve been a little quiet, and while we don’t love posting constant “no opening date yet” updates, we also don’t want silence to leave people wondering—so here’s where we’re at.

The short answer: we still don’t have an opening date, but real progress is happening.

Right now, we’re working through several big (and necessary) kitchen projects that are both time-consuming and expensive:

• Hood vent: We’ve officially given the go-ahead and are on the contractor’s schedule with a 4–6 week timeline. After months of waiting on quotes and approvals, this is a major win.

• AC & mop sink: The health department requires a mop sink on the main floor. The only place we can put one is in our kitchen closet, where our current AC handler is located. We can’t just move our existing unit—we have to replace the entire system with one that can be installed in the ceiling. While this was a tough pill to swallow, it gives us the opportunity to upgrade to a more powerful system that will do a better job keeping the dining room cool and comfortable, especially during the summer months. We’re currently waiting on one final quote before moving forward.

• Electrical upgrades: To support our kitchen equipment, we need to update some electrical in the kitchen.

• Finishing the kitchen: Installing remaining equipment, hooking everything up, and figuring out walls, ceilings, lighting, and all the other little details that go into building a restaurant kitchen.

• Dining room furnishings: We still need to select and purchase tables, chairs, and the rest of our dishes.

What we’ve been up to recently: we’ve been working on building out a handicap-accessible entrance for our customers (in the back). This was something we went back and forth on since it cuts into our already small kitchen space, but we ultimately felt it was important to do it now and do it right.

There’s still a lot happening behind the scenes, and Corbin has been putting in the work every day. The next few months will definitely be a grind, but we’re moving forward.

Our kitchen space is very much in construction mode, but it is our goal to have things in a suitable enough place to (fingers crossed 🤞🏼) do a pop-up during the Princeton Tourism restaurant weekend in March. We’ll see how progress goes and will announce if we’re able to participate as we get closer.

Most importantly: we WILL open. We’re confident in that. It’s not a question of if, just when.

Thank you all for your patience, support, and for following along. We’ll do better about sharing progress as these big projects move forward!

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

KWQC: It will remain cold but it won’t be the dangerous cold of last week and the weekend. That said, overnight lows will camp out in the single digits and wind chills will be below zero, at times. Partly to mostly sunny days come our way for the week with teens for highs. Wednesday we could to 20. No active weather will hamper the morning or evening commutes. There is a chance for snow Sunday, but it looks to be light, and things certainly could change between now and then but we’ll be tracking the chances throughout the week ahead! January looks to finish with colder than average temperatures sticking around. Overall, the weather could possibly remain fairly inactive into early February as temperatures start an upward trend after this week.

🌤️Today — Intervals of sun and clouds early, turning cloudier later. High near 18°F with a chilly WNW breeze around 10–15 mph. Night stays mostly cloudy with a low near 4°F and WNW winds 10–20 mph.

⛅Wednesday — Partly cloudy and cold. High around 21°F with WNW winds 10–15 mph. A few clouds at night with a low near 3°F and a light WNW breeze.

🌞Thursday — Mostly sunny but still very cold. High near 18°F with light W winds 5–10 mph. Evening turns partly cloudy with more clouds late and a low near 2°F.

🌤️Friday — Mostly sunny despite the chill. High around 15°F with NNW winds 10–15 mph. Partly cloudy Friday night with a low near 3°F and a light WNW breeze.

🌥️Saturday — Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 21°F with a gentle WNW wind at 5–10 mph. Flurries possible at night with a low around 11°F.

❄️Sunday — A few flakes can’t be ruled out, otherwise cold and mostly dry. High near 27°F with WSW winds around 10 mph. The night looks dry and cold.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $2.89
Sullivan’s Foods: $2.94
Casey’s West/North: $2.96
Beck’s West/North: $2.96
Road Ranger, N Main St: $2.96
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $2.96

Peru Gas 👀

Caseys, Shooting Park Rd.: $2.49

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Tony’s Butt Shack BBQ & Catering is offering Taco Tuesday specials, including chimi and enchilada dinners and a taco box with 10 tacos for $15, available for carryout and delivery. New specialty “dirty sodas” are also available.

• The Studio Boutique is open Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is featuring a lightweight, relaxed-fit jumpsuit available in-store and online.

• Monical’s Pizza of Princeton released a new round of specials, including thin-crust and pan pizza deals at various sizes and price points, available for dine-in, carryout, and delivery during the promotional period.

• Rachel Rene is offering its Charmed Soap Bar, described as a blend of raspberry, cantaloupe, watermelon, jasmine, violet, grapefruit, and kumquat. The shop is closed Monday and reopens Tuesday.

• Corner Chair Market has new side tables available, featuring taller designs with built-in storage.

• Tossed & Found Resale + Consignment remains open at its Backbone Road location and has begun clearing storage areas in preparation for an upcoming move, which may result in temporary disorganization inside the store.

• Optimal Health announced the arrival of a new pumpkin-seed-based tofu alternative, suitable for grilling, frying, or sautéing.

• The Princeton Closet is offering approximately five bags of wine corks free to the first person who can arrange pickup.

• Little Blue Dress is featuring new classic apparel pieces and remains open seven days a week.

• Coal Creek Brewing Company announced details for its Galentine’s Shop & Sip event scheduled for February 12 at 6:00 p.m., with Let’s Link Jewelry participating as a featured vendor.

• National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. at 421 S. Main Street. The event will feature specialty breakfast items and giveaways, with more details to come.

• Bureau County Tourism shared a list of upcoming events at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Scheduled events include the Model Train Fair and Farm Toy Show on February 14, a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast on March 1, a Winter Garage Sale on March 14, a Black Light Bingo Fundraiser on April 4, and the Spring Fever Craft and Vendor Show with a flea market on April 11.

• Cafe Grace is offering Valentine’s Day dining with a special menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests may bring their own wine or beer, and multiple payment methods are accepted.

• Wild Honey Boutique reported that Valentine’s Day merchandise, including new jewelry, is currently available. The store is closed Tuesday and open Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• The Bureau County Historical Society and History Center shared that Curator Jessica Gray is recording a guided tour of the Henry W. Immke and “Getting to Know Grace” exhibits for a docent training project. Volunteer docents are being sought, with additional details to be released.

• The Studio Boutique outlined its in-store shopping hours: Monday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The business also offers online shopping.

• Cafe Grace announced that its weekday discounted specials will continue due to strong response. The restaurant is accepting Valentine’s Day reservations and released a special Valentine’s menu alongside its regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings.

• Rachel Rene requested customer participation in an online survey to gather feedback on the in-store shopping experience. Responses are being collected through a Google Form.

• Emerald Tablet Collective announced it has moved into a new location at 944 North Main Street. The business plans to host its first flash day at the new space on February 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with additional merchandise releases planned.

• Four Seasons – Princeton is offering select jewelry items for $10 through February 1, 2026, available both in-store and online.

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🗓️️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🎸 Saturday, January 31, 2026: Day Drinking at Hawg House Saloon with Kickapoo Junction – Live music and a lively afternoon atmosphere from 3:00–7:00 PM at Hawg House Saloon.

💘 Tuesday, February 3, 2026: MomCo Galentine’s Day Meet-Up – Dinner, a fun activity or craft, and meaningful conversation from 6:00–8:00 PM at 24 N Main St.

🏍️ Sunday, February 8, 2026: Princeton Motorcycle Swap Meet – Held from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM with $10 admission and vendor spots available for $50 at 802 W Peru Street.

🥃 Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Whiskey Talks with Matt & Mike Blaum of Blaum Bros. Distilling – An intimate evening of local whiskey tasting and conversation beginning at 7:00 PM at Barrel Society.

💕 Thursday, February 12, 2026: Galentine’s Party Shop + Sip at Coal Creek Brewing Company – Valentine-themed drinks and shopping from local vendors starting at 6:00 PM.

🐖 Friday, February 13, 2026: Porkchop and Porkburger Fundraiser – Food stand opens at 5:30 PM during the Princeton vs. Hall basketball game at Princeton High School, benefiting FFA senior scholarships.

🥁 Saturday, February 14, 2026: Wreckin’ Dixie Country Rockin’ at Hawg House Saloon – Live country rock music from 3:00–6:00 PM for an afternoon of high-energy fun.

🎤 Saturday, February 21, 2026: Festival 56 Sound Stage Presents Ava Easter – Folk and indie singer-songwriter Ava Easter performs live at 7:00 PM at Festival 56 Sound Stage.

🎶 Sunday, February 22, 2026: Craig Gerdes (Solo) at Hawg House Saloon – Heartland-born outlaw country artist Craig Gerdes performs solo starting at 2:00 PM.

🍀🏃 Saturday, March 14, 2026: St. Patrick’s Day Party + Charity 5K at Barrel Society – The 5K run/walk begins at 11:00 AM, followed by the St. Patrick’s Day party, food on-site, and live music at 7:00 PM, with proceeds benefiting Freedom House women’s shelter.

💕GALENTINE’S GIRLS NIGHT

Galentine’s Girls Night on Friday, February 13th is a fun, friendship-filled evening designed for besties to laugh, shop, sip, and create together. From 4:00–7:00 PM, participants can stroll Main Street retailers while enjoying treats and beverages, then jump into hands-on activities like soap-making, pottery painting, and crafting one-of-a-kind keepsakes at local shops throughout the evening.

The night continues with dinner and drinks at local restaurants before wrapping up with a classic chick-flick experience at the historic Apollo Theater. Doors open at 9:45 PM, with the movie starting at 10:00 PM; tickets are $10 and include the film, a small drink, and popcorn. It’s a perfect way to celebrate friendship, support local businesses, and enjoy a memorable girls’ night out.

From The Chamber of Commerce

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Coal Creek Brewing Company is seeking a knowledgeable, guest-focused taproom bartender to join its brewery team in Princeton, Illinois. This part-time position offers 20–25 hours per week and requires availability on weekdays, evenings, and weekends, with applicants needing to be at least 21 years old. Prior bartending or taproom experience is preferred, but a strong passion for craft beer, hospitality, and providing a welcoming customer experience is essential.

• Dairy Queen in Princeton is now accepting applications for the 2026 season. The seasonal positions include day and evening shifts, with employment running from early March through at least the end of October.

• Steven Becker of Thrivent in Princeton shared that Thrivent offers multiple paths to becoming a financial advisor, including building your own practice, joining a team, or starting as a virtual advisor.

• The City is accepting applications for a full-time Waste Water Treatment/Maintenance Operator at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Starting pay is $31.00 per hour minimum, and applications are due by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026.

• Taylor’s Way is hiring! They have full-time openings in Princeton and Mossville, including Dispatcher, Tree Groundsperson, Tree Climber, Plant Health Care Technician, and Lawn Applicator. Positions include year-round work, health benefits, retirement match, and paid training—no prior experience required.

🍿AT THE APOLLO

MARTY SUPREME (R)

Nominated for 9 Academy Awards, including Best Picture

A sharp, emotionally charged drama about ambition, obsession, and the cost of greatness. As Marty rises through the cutthroat world of competitive table tennis, personal relationships, identity, and morality are tested, revealing how far someone will go to win—and what they may lose along the way.

SONG SUNG BLUE (PG13)

Nominated for 1 Academy Award

A heartfelt, crowd-pleasing story inspired by the music of Neil Diamond. Two struggling performers form a tribute act and unexpectedly find purpose, connection, and second chances as their lives are transformed through music, friendship, and rediscovered hope.

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