McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry Riverside Shoppes have opened for business for local, small businesses to utilize.

McHenry’s Riverwalk Shoppes are open for business

Olivia Smith, Staff Writer • September 13, 2023

In an effort to increase retail in downtown McHenry, the McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes opened for business as of July 21, 2023.  Located next to the Riverwalk on Boone Creek, the Shoppes serve as a link...

When Wonder Foods closed in October, people in lost a local grocery story that the community could walk to on foot. Discount stores like Dollar Tree won't be enough to fill the void.

Opinion: We need another Wonder Foods

Alexis Parrish, Contributing Writer • December 8, 2022

It is a sunny day in Wonder Lake. Some person walking into their favorite grocery store Wonder Foods sees that everything is on sale. They ask why it is on sale, and the manager says they are closing. ...

Community members, including students from MCHS, paint a mural in downtown McHenry on Saturday—the first public mural in the town's history.

Community paints mural in downtown McHenry

Lilyona Kribley, Contributing Writer • October 27, 2022

The McHenry community came together to paint a mural with painter Maurico Ramirez on the side of the McHenry Clock Company on Green Street on Saturday. This is McHenry’s first ever mural, named “#McHenryStrong.”...

The Hidden Pearl coffee shop, located on Green Street in downtown McHenry, partnered with West Campus in 2019 to serve students and staff coffee at the beginning of the school day. Though it was closed months later to make room for the booster club, the partnership is set to return on Tuesday.

Hidden Pearl returns to Upper Campus

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor • January 31, 2022

Starting tomorrow, Upper Campus students and staff will be able to purchase coffee from Hidden Pearl once again from the concession stand next to the cafeteria. The coffee shop  will open before 7:00...

Right now, Illinois restaurants and bars are supposed to be closed to indoor dining. Though this helps stop the spread of COVID-19, it unfairly punishes the small business who should not have to bear the brunt of the pandemic.

Opinion: Don’t punish local businesses

Ciara Duncan, Features Editor • January 12, 2021

Humans have witnessed countless horrible, traumatic events — events that have left them seeking out any form of solidarity they can find, begging on their knees for better days, and wondering how they'd...

Despite the complaints and protests from residents, McHenry still has plans to demolish a "historic" downtown bank and replace it with a gas station sometime in 2021.

Gas station fuels uproar in ‘historic’ downtown district

Kaitlyn Wenzel, Staff Reporter • December 17, 2020

The city of McHenry plans to remove the vacated bank downtown on the corner of Green Street, Route 120, and Route 31 and build a gas station in its place. This plan has angered many residents of McHenry...

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit many local small businesses hard, one of those hard hit businesses being The Bike Haven in McHenry Illinois.

Businesses on the brim

Josie Cable, Opinions Editor • November 16, 2020

As the government continues to close businesses for the safety of citizens, many stores and restaurants are finding themselves in a difficult situation; stay open and risk getting citizens and workers...

Though COVID-19 forced many local businesses to shut down, some restaurants like Riverside Bakery have remained open for curbside pickup. Coronavirus has impacted what was a booming economy in unprecedented ways.

Local bakeries weather the pandemic

Apryl Hanneman, Contributing Writer • April 20, 2020

Since March 20 when Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a stay-at-home order, many local bakeries have struggled to stay afloat, including Kiera Confections, Riverside Bakeshop, and Sweet Peas Emporium.    Even...

In the process of re-establishing itself in the community, the Hidden Pearl coffee shop partnered with West Campus to serve students and staff. Since it disappeared in December, many have wondered when it will return.

Hidden Pearl opens downtown, plans return to West Campus

Michelene Havard, Staff Writer • March 11, 2020

Hidden Pearl’s absence at West Campus has lasted longer than students and staff anticipated. However, they have reopened their shop on Green Street, which has taken over a lot of their time. “Right...

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