“I was following [my dad] all the time in restaurants, he was always in restaurants. I’m proud that we’re still here. I’m proud that people patronize us, after all this time.
I’ve seen a different wave of people come through, it used to be a lot of older people at first and now it’s younger families. I’m proud that I’ve been here for the last almost 25 years to see the change Aurora has gone through. It’s been a ride; it’s been a nice ride.”
Visit Nikarry's Restaurant at 1055 N. Lake Street in Aurora!
Tecalitlan Restaurant
“I make a good living; it’s a decent living. There’s a lot of opportunity [here].”
Head to Tecalitlan at 35 S Broadway in downtown Aurora.
Legacy Nutrition & Fitness
“If I moved away, I think I would come back. I’d want to grow my family here. This is where my roots are.”
Visit with Aurorans at Legacy Nutrition & Fitness at 77 S River Street in downtown Aurora.
Bookmobile
“The old library [on Benton Street] is the one I’d go to. When I was going to Bardwell, the Bookmobile would show up. To a kid that didn’t have much, reading a book was my escape...it meant a lot.”
Learn more about the Bookmobile and Aurora Public Library services at: https://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/Bookmobile-13413
Parkside Lanes
"I retired 10 years ago, so I've been bowling [at Parkside Lanes] about 10 years.
"I've been bowling with these guys for maybe three or four years now...I love it. As a senior citizen, I can do some exercise here; good people my age to mingle with, get new stories, new perspectives on people's lives.
It's nice to be able to...sit down with people your age that you've got a lot in common with, talk about your aches and pains."
Check out all that Parkside Lanes has to offer.
Mitch, Eola Community Center
“I’ve lived in Aurora since 1988. My wife goes to the Paramount shows, so we’ll go downtown and hit the restaurants there.
I’ve been a member [at the Eola Center] since 2009. This particular place right here, it’s “Eola Community Center” but it really is a community—I know so many people...my kids went to Waubonsee Valley High School, my wife is a member here, my son comes here; it’s a good family experience. [My wife] uses the library and used to work in the daycare, too.
[My wife] is from Wisconsin, I’m from Minnesota. We were just gonna’ be down here for 5 years...but we’ve got roots here now in Aurora; it’s a great place to raise a family.”
You can visit Mitch at the front desk of the Eola Community Center, part of the Fox Valley Park District.