Our Business Partners

Our Business Partners

Our Business Partners help Friends of the Fox River keep on fixin’ the Fox River through their established community giving programs, direct donations, or by creating a special discount or giving program for our members and supporters.

These business owners and companies know how important clean water and a healthy environment is to their customers, and to grow and sustain a vibrant local economy.

Their public support makes a powerful statement about their commitment to a healthy Fox River and the communities that depend on it. Join our Business Partners Program to help protect the Fox River and all the life that depends on it.

Business Partners have a permanent presence on this webpage, and from time to time can promote special offers, or their events, on our social media pages, or by an “e/blast” (a single topic newsletter).

Please review our Business Partner Program Description here.

Become a Business Partner here.

Please contact us for more information.

Northern Kane County Wild Ones

The Northern Kane County (NKC) chapter of the Wild Ones national organization was founded in 2009. Their mission aligns particularly well with ours at Friends of the Fox River in that they promote native plants, natural landscapes and environmentally sound landscaping practices. Since native plants help prevent storm water runoff and are instrumental in removing nutrients and contaminates from soil and water, we’re all for planting them everywhere possible.

To inform the public about the benefits of natives and to make the plants readily available, NKC Wild Ones has a native plant sale every year on the first Saturday in May at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center in Elgin. Their members (over 100 strong) host monthly educational events and garden tours all year long. Members volunteer at the nature center and local natural areas, and raise Monarch butterflies.

President Steve Rice says “We’re a friendly, welcoming group that enjoys learning about local challenges and ventures — our area is rich in open spaces and natural areas to explore together. And if we can inspire others to take on the challenge of 80% native in their yards and display ‘Conservation at Home’ signs, we’re happy.”

NKC Wild Ones maintains permanent displays at the Schweitzer Environmental Center and supports Friends of the Fox River with a generous annual donation.

Neu Family Dental

Dr. Greg Neu and Dr. Anthony Varchetto have over 30 years of combined dental experience. Neu Family Dental has been established in East Dundee, IL for over 25 years serving patients from Dundee, Algonquin, Lake In The Hills, Elgin, Carpentersville, Barrington, Crystal Lake, Hoffman Estates and more.

Our doctors work very closely together to provide the very best dental care for their patients in a friendly, caring and professional environment. They truly love their profession and enjoy staying on the cutting edge of dentistry with state-of-the-art techniques and technology.

Print and present this certificate on your initial visit to Neu Family Dental and $100 will be donated to Friends of the Fox River.

Jackson Rose Candle Company

Jackson Rose Candle Company’s founder Sara Spring has a distinct mission when creating her candles— transform a scent into that moment in time when life was meant to live simply.  Her first collection, Southern Roots, captures gathering around the fire and sharing stories until the last of the fireflies flicker. This Georgia-raised transplant, residing in West Dundee, Illinois, is making waves with her Southern Roots candle collection.

Southern Roots collection

Seven percent of Sara’s profits are donated to Friends of the Fox River. Sara’s goal is to support environmental and educational organizations in each local area where her candles are sold so that customers and retailers alike can make a direct impact in their communities.

“They {Friends of the Fox River} work a lot with the schools and getting kids involved in water sampling and educating the public on what is happening along our waterways.  It’s a grass roots effort to figure out what we can all do to help with what goes right through our backyards.”

Southbank Original BBQ

Southbank BBQ

REAL SLOW SMOKED BARBECUE ON THE BANKS OF THE FOX RIVER

Southbank Original Barbecue (SOB) is Yorkville’s local barbecue restaurant that is known for real slow, smoked barbecue on the banks of the Fox River. Our smoker is running all the time, ready to serve our guests 7 days a week. Open late until 10 each night, we will be sure to serve up exceptional wood cooked barbecue and other meaty favorites. The menu features delicious specialties such as baby back ribs, tri-tip beef, steak nights, and crawfish boils.

SOB is a casual Barbecue joint where everything is wood cooked. We’re not going to do your regular barbecue, competition-style. We’re doing what you want to eat at home. All of our meats are smoked low and slow over oak and hickory. The sauces are unique, homemade, and self-served to your liking. Additionally, most of our seating is outdoors on the patio along the river, making for a relaxing and rustic dining experience.

The Village Squire

For casual dining at its best with an English pub-style ambiance, FOTFR Business Partner “The Village Squire” is the place to find it in our watershed.

Operating in the Fox Valley since 1974, this family-owned restaurant is open late and features live music. Founded by Paul & Thalia Karas, their children; Bob, Despina and Eleni Karavasis, carry on the family tradition of supporting their community.

“The Squire”, as it is best known to its fans, supports many neighborhood not-for-profits and has a special bond with Friends of the Fox River; they supported their employee Jennifer Grommes (who was our Clean-Up Coordinator) for all our 2016 clean-ups by providing free pizzas for our volunteers (including their special Greek pizza, which includes gyro meat and feta cheese).

Locations include the original in Dundee (est. 1974), Crystal Lake (est. 1979), McHenry (est. 1981), and South Elgin (est. 2005). The Karas family also owns Alexanders Café and Rookies All American Bar and Grill. When you go out to enjoy great food in a wonderful atmosphere, try one of The Village Squire restaurants and support our Business Partner and a family that has always given back to the community.

Bandito Barney’s Beach Club and Bordello

Bandito_logo
bandito barney's

Located on the corner of North River Street and Jackson Street in East Dundee, Bandito Barney’s Beach Club and Bordellois the premier beach club and sports bar in Northern Illinois AND they host our annual “No Clean Water, No Good Beer” FUNdraiser! Watch all your favorite sporting events here and check out their amazing outdoor patio and bar!