The Weekly Grind - September 8th 2025 Newsletter

Critical Grind Gaming
Sep 8, 2025
4 min read

September is in full swing. Events coming around the corner galore.

This Sunday was our Creator Pop-Up with local author,

E. Scott Clevenger AND Our All-Ages Queer Variety Show.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 7th for the next variety show - Holiday Hijinx!

SPECIAL EVENTS!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

CRITICAL GRIND WILL BE OPENING AT 5PM TOMORROW, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH!

WE'RE TAKING THE DAY TO GET SOME STUFF REARRANGED AND UPDATE OUR DISPLAYS.

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.

Fill out our form here to join us at Lodge Con: https://forms.gle/iV84AkCVR8azahyb9

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, 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 started on Monday, August 18th. This will be 4 weeks per round. 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.

We've officially started accepting Pre-Orders for the next Magic Set: Spider-Man

All prices are based on MSRP and TCGPlayer Median.

Pre-Order your Items or Start signing up for the events!!

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*)

--> Gayme Night

The 1st Monday of every month is Gayme Night. It's open to any and all who would like to come play some board games and meet new people. While this event is intended for the LGBTQ+ community, it is open to all allies as well.

September's Mini Painting Contest

Our September Mini Painting Contest is here! It's $15 for the Monthly Paint Pass and you'll get the mini to go along with it and unlimited drop-ins for our Mini-Painting sessions! The minis are due back by September 21st and we have a limited number of them available.

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!

Critical Grind will be at Joliet Pride Fest on Saturday, September 20th!

Did You Know!?

Almost every one of the games in our library are available to rent. Fro onyl $4 a day you can borrow a game, bring it home, and play it in the vcomfort of your own home.

Patreon Subscribers can borrow games for up to 30-days at a time.

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!**

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: