Critical    Grind

UPDATES ((thinking of making these permanent... what do we think??)) LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS : We had so much fun with everyone visiting us last week for Spring Break. Thank you to everyone who stopped in! We had a blast at Game of Tones music Bingo on Thursday. Join us for the next one on May 7th. Dana also got the chance to GM for an employee engagement event at a local small business, BKS - Business Knowledge Systems. If anyone can think of any small business interested in

UPDATES ((thinking of making these permanent... what do we think??)) LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS : Not a lot to post about last week. It was kinda slow for being Shorewood's Spring Break. We're hoping this week will be a little busier while some of the other schools are on Spring Break this week. As a reminder, we're closed this Sunday for Easter. ANNOUNCEMENTS : We are officially selling TCGs on TCGPlayer.com . Check out our online store! We're also currently taking Pre-orders in

UPDATES ((thinking of making these permanent... what do we think??)) LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS : T.B. Sweet Creations came in and did a Cake Decorating class with us. We had some people drop in for our Coloring Meetup (3rd Mondays)! Our TCG Night was busy with Lorcana and our Magic the Gathering Two-Headed Giant Commander Tournament. Creator Meetup was a fun and chill time. And we got new Grimbeard Leather products in this past week! ANNOUNCEMENTS : This has been here for a whil

UPDATES ((thinking of making these permanent... what do we think??)) LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS : Kim and Dana set up at the Troy Craughwell Family Game Night this past week. We got to meet a bunch of new families and introduce them to Critical Grind, and new games! Dana ran a Boop Learn to Play on Saturday. Thank you to everyone who came out to play this weekend! ESPECIALLY our Girl Scout Cookie Pop-Up on Sunday! ANNOUNCEMENTS : It's been highly anticipated but we're slowly brin

UPDATES ((thinking of making these permanent... what do we think??)) LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS : Sorry I missed last week's newsletter. It was the first one I'd missed in over a year and I felt pretty bad about it. But I was recovering from a heart...episode... so I'm going to give myself the same grace I would extend to anyone else. I sincerely wish to thank everyone who's come into the cafe or reached out to me over the last week+. For those who missed it, I was in the hospita

UPDATES LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS : We had a lot of fun this past week. Thank you to everyone who came out to play on your day off last Monday. I had the honor of presenting at the Above & Beyond Networkers breakfast on Wednesday where I taught a room of 30-or so entrepreneurs and business professionals about Role-Playing Games and running them through a brief encounter. We had a fun time on Wednesday with our After Hours 2-Player Date Night. Friday was the Lorcana: Winterspell

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We had a great time over the weekend at Polar Vortex Convention in Lisle. This was Polar Vortex' 10th year. It's usually the 2nd weekend in February so, mark your calendars for next year! Meanwhile, back at the cafe, the team rocked a great weekend full of events including the Lorcana Winterspell Prerelease Pack Rush, Kids RPG Night, My Bloody Valentine on the Clocktower, and more! We're introducing a new series of events: UNLOCKED After H

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We're introducing a new series of events: UNLOCKED After Hours. Once a month we're going to host an after hours event on a Wednesday night. Last month we had a floor painting party. This month we're hosting a Date Night for Valentine's Day. Wednesday, February 18th from 6pm - 9pm. It's only $35 per couple. We'll be highlighting 2-player games with a Game Master to help teach the games, and 2 Specialty Toasts from a Special Menu, made just

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We had such a great weekend! Our first Local Author Book Fair on Saturday was a roaring success and we look forward to hosting another one. Special thank you for Audi Hart Creations for coming out for our Pop-Up on Sunday! We officially have Boxed Coffee To-Go. 128oz for pick-up available for your next event or meeting. $30/Box. This Week's Event Highlights This is a quick look at this week's events. And of course any day is Game Day at Cr

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We just received new dice & enamel pins from Mystery Dice Goblin AND we've restocked Toasty Toasts! The fun, travel sized game about building the best toasts for points. This Week's Event Highlights This is a quick look at this week's events. And of course any day is Game Day at Critical Grind. Just stop in anytime and find your next favorite game. Follow our newsletter and socials to never miss an event! Every link you need to follow us

UPDATES For some reason my update last week didn't send via email so, if you missed it, feel free to check it out here. HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We're halfway through January already. Have you tried our January specials? The Red Dragon Inn Refresher is amazing. The Lorwyn Eclipsed Magic Prerelease was a success! Between our pre-orders and people showing up on Friday we've sold out of the bundles and commanders. We have a few of the 60-card standard decks left and booster

UPDATES I sent out our Annual Grind Newsletter last week. It's the annual recap of the cafe goals and accomplishments, as well as setting new goals for the next year. Give it a look if you're interested. HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : I had the honor of planning the 2025 Holiday/2026 Kick-Off Party for Above and Beyond Networkers this last weekend. It was an evening of celebrating small businesses and enjoying our community. The event was at The Parsonage in downtown Plainfiel

UPDATES I sent out our Annual Grind Newsletter earlier. It's the annual recap of the cafe goals and accomplishments, as well as setting new goals for the next year. HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : Ash is officially celebrating his 2 year work-a-versary today, January 5th! I can't believe it's been 2 years since he started working here. We couldn't imagine this place without him. The staff went out last night for an Appreciation Dinner. Went to Sovereign in Plainfield and had an

Welcome to 2026! A forewarning, this post is gonna be quite the read. A couple years ago this was two posts. Last year I made it just one and while it makes it long, I think it's better this way. I wanted to get this out closer to the 1st but the last few days have been busy. A YEAR IN REVIEW First a little lore: 16 years ago, I started a tradition for the New Year that instead of creating resolutions I wouldn't keep, I would make a list of tangible goals. Some of them are me

UPDATES Some of you may know but every year I do a recap of the previous year and our goals for the next. Hopefully that email will be finished and sent out Thursday or Friday. HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : Wednesday, we'll be open until 3pm and closed Thursday. Critical Grind is excited to be working with a newer non-profit this year, Love Smiles. They are collecting new books, puzzles, toys, board games, and coloring supplies for pediatric cancer patience. The ages for item

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We will be closed this Wednesday and Thursday. Next Wednesday, we'll be open until 3pm and closed next Thursday. Are you scrambling for Stocking Stuffers or ideas for family gifts? Stop by and pick up one of these board games, RPGs, or items for that TCG player in your life. Critical Grind is excited to be working with a newer non-profit this year, Love Smiles. They are collecting new books, puzzles, toys, board games, and coloring suppli

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We had the pleasure of hosting a Game Night for the staff and their families from 4Sight iCare in Plainfield. Did you know, Critical Grind offers employee engagement events here at the cafe, or at your business? Our friends at the Joliet Public Library meet here for their book club once a month. This past week they took advantage of our 10pc Toast Catering Trays. Did you know you could order any of our Specialty Toasts as a 10pc tray? Pric

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : We had a great time this weekend for our 4th Annual Cocoa & Gaming with Santa. Thank you to everyone who comes out and makes it their annual tradition. Critical Grind is excited to be working with a newer non-profit this year, Love Smiles. They are collecting new books, puzzles, toys, board games, and coloring supplies for pediatric cancer patience. The ages for items is between 0 & 18, but it's been expressed that babies and older kids a

UPDATES HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : Thank you to those of you who joined us for our Misfit Thanksgiving. Stop by Critical Grind for your holiday shopping! This Week's Event Highlights This is a quick look at this week's events. And of course any day is Game Day at Critical Grind. Just stop in anytime and find your next favorite game. Follow our newsletter and socials to never miss an event! Every link you need to follow us is right here: LINKTREE SPECIAL EVENTS OF NOTE THIS

UPDATES Starting in November we'll be closing early on Wednesdays. HIGHLIGHTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS : This week is Thanksgiving. We like to think about what we're grateful for, and it's our customers! This week we celebrate our customer appreciation week with sales every day. RPG Event Updates! --> KIDS RPG NIGHT KIDS RPG NIGHT IS CANCELLED THE 21ST AND 28TH. How it normally works: I email the parents directly, hopefully on the Monday before Kid's RPG Night with the link for sign-u