The Weekly Grind - April 20th, 2026 Newsletter
- Critical Grind Gaming
- Apr 20
- 4 min read
UPDATES
Our hours are permanently changing to:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9am - 9pm
Wednesday: 9am - 3pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am - 11pm
Sunday: 9am - 6pm
LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
So much fun this past week! Board Game Night on Tuesday we played Solar Gardens and Sea Salt and Paper. RPG Nights we're full. Joliet Pride Network's monthly Gayme Night came out on Thursday. Our Magic Prerelease and Blood on the Clocktower were very busy (so busy we didn't get photos). Dana did a pop-up at the Troy Cronin Carnival. Ash and Dana split up and set-up at the Fandom Fests for Plainfield Library and Three Rivers Library. And our dear friend Michaela Gallaher, from Gallaher Sourdough came by on Sunday for a pop-up!
TOMORROW!! SIGN UP NOW!!
We still have seats available for 3 different Role Playing Games learn to play, tomorrow, April 21st at 6pm. Follow this link and sign up now. It's $10 to participate and includes a set of dice.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SAVE THE DATES!
Monday, April 27th we're excited to be hosting Fabulous Bingo benefitting Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue. $10/board with half the proceeds going to Hopeful Tails.
Wednesday, April 29th we will be doing an After Hours event. Learn to Play Viticulture while enjoying a glass of wine. $20/ticket. Bring Your Own Beverage for 21+ only. Must have valid ID. Only 8 Seats available so reserve yours now.
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:
SPECIAL EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK:
LGBTQ+ QUEER COLORING - MONDAY - 6PM
BORED GAME NIGHT - TUESDAY - 6PM
MINI-PAINTING - TUESDAY & THURSDAY - 3PM
RPG NIGHT - TUESDAY & THURSDAY - 6PM
KID'S RPG NIGHT - FRIDAY - 6PM
MAGIC: STRIXHAVEN RELEASE DRAFT - FRIDAY - 6PM
CAFE CLOSING AT 3PM SATURDAY FOR PRIVATE EVENT
FAMILY GAMES DAY - FREE PLAY SUNDAY
This Week's Events Flyers/Details
This Month's Calendar & Specials
APRIL SPECIALS --
"Grahams": Brown Sugar & Cinnamon - Latte, Chai, Matcha, or Italian Soda
Red Eye Refresher: Starfruit Passionfruit Mango & Berry Hibiscus Refresher
Harvest Green Smoothie: Apple, Kiwi, Pineapples, Bananas, & Lemongrass
Cocoa-Nana: Cream Cheese, Banana, Chocolate Sauce, & Crushed Wafers
T.H.I.C.: Tomatoes, Hummus, Italian Seasoning, & Cucumber
Special Events
Our last Local Author Book Fair was a great success and we want to do it again! If you're a local author interested in joining us, fill out this form before April 24th.
RPG Event Updates!
--> KIDS RPG NIGHT
How it normally works: I email the parents directly, hopefully on the Monday before Kid's RPG Night with the link for sign-ups and session descriptions. So if you are a Kid's RPG Night parent, please fill out this form. (if you haven't already)
Please remember Kid's RPG Night takes place the 2nd and 4th Fridays, GMs permitting.
--> Paizo Society Games
Pathfinder Society is played at the cafe every 1st and 3rd Friday.
Starfinder Society is played here every 2nd and 4th Sunday.
Find both those games on Warhorn or in our Discord
--> Learn to Play Role-Playing Games
Tuesday, April 21st we're excited to teach you how to play Role Playing Games! Dip your toes into the world of RPGs. Sign up to learn Dungeons & Dragons, Starfinder, or Daggerheart.
Dungeons & Dragons (5e) - 5 Players: Your party is tasked with defending a sacred temple that is under attack! Will they be able to channel the full power of the Masters and put an end to the attempted takeover!?
Starfinder (2e) - 5 Players: Take the leap into Starfinder Second Edition as prisoners of a nefarious pirate captain. When the ship comes under attack by the Corpse Fleet, it's time to seize your chance to escape! Battle space pirates for control of the Nova Rush, befriend a chipper virtual intelligence, and escape the Corpse Fleet alive in Battle for Nova Rush!
This short adventure for 1st-level characters puts players in the role of four iconic Starfinder heroes: Chk Chk the mystic, Dae the solarian, Iseph the operative, and Navasi the envoy! Each character comes with complete pre-generated stats and roleplaying tips for the adventure—and they'll need to use every tool at their disposal to liberate Nova Rush and their new friend, Captain Concierge, from dastardly space pirates!
Daggerheart - 5 Players: Marlowe Fairwind, the right-hand sorcerer of King Emeris, has gathered her most trusted allies to carry an important package to Hush, a small village within the ancient forest of Sablewood. The crate is large, heavy and sealed with magic, addressed to the Whitefire Arcanist. You've been given a map and a carriage, and the promise of reward upon your arrival.
--> Discord Looking For Party
Join our Discord and find your next gaming group.
We play RPGs every Tuesday and Thursday, but people will plan meet-ups outside those times as well. Join our Discord and see what games are being played.
Tip: When you join, go to Rules to get verified. Then, VERY IMPORTANTLY: go to Roles-and-Info to select your interests. This is what will unlock the channels.
TCG Event Updates!
Magic League on Mondays and Lorcana League on Sundays. (Join the Discord for the League Goals)!
To sign up for a TCG Event, just click the photo.
SIGN UP FOR LORCANA: WILDS UNKNOWN PRERELEASE MAY 8TH WILL BE POSTED SOON.
Monthly Mini Painting Contest
Whether you're participating in our contests or just looking for a space to hang out and paint, stop by any Tuesday or Thursday for our Mini-Painting drop-in between 3pm & 8pm. $5 for all you can paint, access to our brushes, and paints, and a free figure to practice on. Or pick up additional figures for only $5 each.
April Mini Painting Contest Minis are HERE!
Pick them up now and bring them back by April 26th.
Signing Off
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this week's Weekly Grind. If there's anything specific you want to hear about at the cafe, let me know!
"Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it." -- Tori Amos
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