The Weekly Grind - September 22nd 2025 Newsletter

Critical Grind Gaming
Sep 22, 2025
4 min read

This year is just chugging along so fast!

NEW ITEMS & UPDATES:

We've got the Spider-Man Magic Set AND our RPG items are stocked with the new D&D Starter Set, Starfinder 2e GM Core & Player Core, and Daggerheart!

We're currently looking for volunteers to work with us at Lodge Con! Hang out at our vendor table, the game library, our cafe concessions, or even run some board games and role-playing games.

Voting has started again for the Best of Will County: Readers' Choice Awards.

Please Vote for Critical Grind for Best in Family Recreation. We won last year and would love to keep the streak going. That said, we were also nominated in the Birthday Party Venue category as well. You can vote once a day per email address.

SPECIAL EVENTS!

Reserve Tickets Here:

Pumpkin Succulent Workshop

Murder Mystery Event

RPG Event Updates!

--> KIDS RPG NIGHT

I will be emailing the parents directly every week a few days 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 is only the 2nd and 4th Fridays.

--> Discord Looking For Party Highlights

These are some RPGs being mentioned in our Discord that people are looking to get together and play.

Dungeons & Dragons, Starfinder, Daggerheart, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, and probably some others. Join the discord and don't miss the tables.

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!

Our Magic the Gathering League is going. This is round 2 but you can join any time! Played in timed pods with points awarded for place at the end of the game, and various play goals which will rotate every 4 weeks. Promos and Packs will be given as prizes each week.

Join us for Magic & Mayhem. Receive 3 boosters and we'll provide the basic lands. We'll have a new Chaos Effect each time!

The Spider-Man Friendly Neighborhood Draft Tournament is coming up on Friday, September 26th. This one is a little different, using a Pick-Two Draft Format. Click Here to save your seat!

Lorcana League is back for Set 9. Lots of ways to earn points, packs, and prizes. Join our discord to see the different play goals for each round.

All of our upcoming Magic Events all the way through October!

Board Game Event Updates!

Wednesday Open Play <--

We are currently offering Free Play on Wednesdays. Stop by anytime on a Wednesday and play any of the games in our library. (*this doesn't include any special events or tournaments*)

--> Splendor & 7 Wonders Tournaments

Critical Grind is going to be hosting a Splendor qualifier Tournament on Saturday, October 11th & a 7 Wonders qualifier tournament on Saturday, October 19th. Top 8 for each game from our store will get to participate in the finals at Lodge Con against the Top 8 players from By The Board.

September's Mini Painting Contest

It's time for voting on our September Mini Painting Contest! Visit our Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok to cast your vote on your favorite!

Whether you're participating in our contests or just looking for a space to hang out and paint, stop by any Tuesday or Wednesday 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.

Critical Podcast

Click the image or HERE to find us on Podbean! Or search for us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Let's just say the podcast is on a bit of a hiatus. I haven't given up on this but I need to pace myself.

Thank you all for understanding.

Catch up now on Spotify, Podbean, and Apple Podcasts.

Are you interested in being a guest on the podcast? Fill out this form.

On a related note, I was recently a guest on "From Scratch" and I'm excited for the release of that episode. Looks like it's going to come out in a couple months.

Pop-Up Events!

Did You Know!?

Any of our toasts can be made on a bagel or gluten free bread.

This Month's Calendar & Specials

SEPTEMBER SPECIALS --

Banana Lunar Chai: Banana & Toasted Marshmallow Chai Latte. (Take flavor inspiration and use Banana and Toasted Marshmallow in a latte or Italian soda)

Jolly Rancher Refresher: Watermelon Kiwi Refresher with Cherry Syrup.

Orange Smoothius: Pineapple Smoothie with Orange Juice, topped with Vanilla Cold Foam.

Banana Pudding Toast: Cream Cheese, Bananas, Nilla Cookies, and Butterscotch Syrup.

Campfire Toast: Ricotta, Walnuts, Espresso Grounds, Cinnamon, and Maple Syrup.

Get through that mid-week drab with some gaming! Every Wednesday is a FREE Open Gaming at Critical Grind. Cafe Purchase Required. This doesn't include any special events or tournaments. Only Open Play.

**WE NOW OFFER HOT FOODS MONDAY - FRIDAY AFTER 5PM AND ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS AFTER 11AM!**

Still in development but here is the October Calendar as of 9/22/25

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 WEEK: