The Hey Elmhurst! podcast is your local source for everything happening in Elmhurst, IL!
Hosted by Amara and Jeff (the duo behind Hey Elmhurst!), each episode covers the recent news you need to know, the new businesses and developments coming soon, and the can't-miss events happening that week.
From new restaurant openings to local history to the events filling up your weekend, we keep up on all things Elmhurst so you don't have to!
Did you know our most beloved wedding venue might also be our most haunted building? 👻
This week, Jeff and I dig into the spooky history of Wilder Mansion, from its origins as an ice magnate’s estate to its decades as the Elmhurst Public Library.
We get into the strange happenings staff reported over the years, and the three different spirits people think might be behind them! 👻
We also cover the city’s newly chosen city manager, and round up a few fun events, including a story book walk and the Jayne grand opening.
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
🍰 Two Long Loaves Bakery - https://www.instagram.com/twolongloavesbakery/
24 Sept 2026
Elmhurst Has Been in Hollywood Movies?!
Did you know our town has quietly become a Hollywood backdrop? 🎬
This week, Jeff and I dig into all the movies and TV shows filmed right here in Elmhurst, from a coming-of-age film with '80s icons to a couple of Chicago's biggest network dramas!
We get into the local spots you've definitely seen on screen!
We also have updates on what's coming to the empty Uptown Shop space, plus a new co-warehousing spot for small business owners, and we round up a fun stretch of events, including Elmhurst University Homecoming!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
17 Sept 2026
The Midnight Explosion That Named Spring Road...
Have you ever wondered why Spring Road is called Spring Road? 🌊
This week, Jeff and I dig into the surprising story behind the name, and it all traces back to a midnight water explosion on an old farm in the 1800s!
We get into how one natural spring ended up supplying all of Elmhurst's water for nearly 30 YEARS.
We also cover a brand-new sculpture added to Elmhurst's public art collection, and round up a packed week of events, including Prairie Volunteer Day, the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest, and Elmhurst University Homecoming!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
11 Sept 2026
A Famous Instrument Made in Elmhurst?!
Did you know one of the most iconic instruments in music history is headquartered right here in Elmhurst?! 🎹
This week, Jeff and I dig into the story of the Hammond organ, the legendary instrument you've heard in countless songs by Bob Dylan, Santana, Led Zeppelin, and more!
We get into how a clockmaker who couldn't read music invented it, and how it ended up with roots in our town!
We also feature a community spotlight on Covers for a Cause, cover a few new businesses opening (Wok Plus, Jayne, and Q Barbecue), and round up a packed weekend of events, including Rock the Block!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Zodiac Coffee (https://heyelmhurst.com/i/zodiac-cafe/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
28 Aug 2026
The Flood That Changed Elmhurst Forever...
Did you know the worst flood in Elmhurst's history led to one of the biggest engineering projects in the country? 🌊
This week, Jeff and I dig into the flood of 1987, when a record-breaking amount of rain fell on Elmhurst in just one day.
We get into how it turned our streets into rivers, and the massive project it inspired that's saved thousands of local homes ever since!
We also feature a community spotlight on A Walk Toward Healing, and round up a few things happening around town, including a Chicago football exhibit, Street Eats & Beats, and a mobile DMV coming to the library!
CORRECTION: I misspoke on the numbers! The Elmhurst Quarry actually holds a whopping 2.7 BILLION gallons of water, not 2.5 million. It's the largest of DuPage County's flood control facilities!
🚶 A Walk Toward Healing (https://awalktowardhealing.com/) (Sept 13)
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Maple & Yolk in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
19 Aug 2026
The Famous Homes Hiding on Elmhurst's Streets...
Did you know three of history's most famous architects designed buildings right here in Elmhurst? 🏛️
This week, Jeff and I dig into the incredible architectural history hiding in our town.
We get into a Frank Lloyd Wright prairie home, the apprentice who went on to design an entire nation's capital, and a modernist masterpiece you can actually tour today!
We've also got an update on the massive Wagner Center rebuild at Berens Park, plus another new walking and biking path being proposed for town!
📖 And we were wrong about the book title. It's "How Buildings Learn" by Stewart Brand (https://amzn.to/4g6DdA3)
🧘♀️ Here's the acupressure mat (https://amzn.to/4wwmxXr\) we use
🎬 Watch our Netflix Documentary MINIMALISM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8DGjUv-Vjc) now free on YouTube!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
13 Aug 2026
What's the Oldest Bar in Elmhurst?!
Do you know what the oldest bar in Elmhurst is? 🍺
This week, Jeff and I dig into the history of the Spring Inn, the oldest bar in town, and the surprising story behind its nearly century-old bar top. We also get into how it may have sparked one of the biggest St. Patrick's Day parades in Chicagoland!
We've also got updates on a possible speed limit change in Southeast Elmhurst, plus the new Cricket Creek Connection pedestrian bridge coming to town. And we round up a couple of fun events this week, including goat yoga!
CORRECTION: After further research post-recording, the spring that Spring Road is named after wasn't actually in Elmhurst! It was Mammoth Spring, located in what's now Oak Brook, where the DoubleTree stands today at 1909 Spring Rd, Oak Brook. It did supply Elmhurst's water from 1889 to 1916, though!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
29 Jul 2026
The Oldest Thing in Elmhurst Isn't What You Think...
Did you know there's a spot in Elmhurst that's THOUSANDS of years old? 🌾
This week, Jeff and I dig into the oldest living thing in town, a little patch of prairie you've probably driven past a hundred times without knowing its story.
We get into why it survived when almost none of it did, and the local teacher it's named after!
We also have a big update on the Berens Park construction, the citywide garage sale that's officially happening this fall, and one summer event you don't want to miss.
Plus, my recommendation for the day might surprise you!
(Also, apologies for the beeping at parts of the episode 😭)
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
23 Jul 2026
Elmhurst Had a Horse Racing Track?!
Did you know there used to be a horse racing track in Elmhurst? 🐎
This week, Jeff and I dig into the wild history of a horse racing track that once sat right off St. Charles Road.
We get into the prominent Chicago family behind it, plus the stunning historic home that's still standing today!
We also have updates on two new businesses opening downtown (Naansense and Jayne!), and we say a bittersweet goodbye to the 93-year-old York Furrier building.
We're also looking at the updated Umbrella Sky art installations, and a resident tips us off about an exciting new flyover bridge coming to town!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
16 Jul 2026
Which Elmhurst Park Are You?!
This week, I'm making Jeff take a personality quiz to figure out which Elmhurst park he really is.
And you can take the quiz along with us to find out which park you are! 🌳
Plus, we have a big update on the Wilder Park Bandshell project, we cover how you can sign a replica of the Declaration of Independence right here in town, and we round up the best events happening in Elmhurst this week, including Candycopia's Guinness World Record attempt.
I also share a local watch company you have to see to believe!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
8 Jul 2026
How Old is Elmhurst's Oldest Restaurant?!
What's the oldest restaurant in Elmhurst? 🍔
This week, Jeff and I are counting down the 3 oldest restaurants still serving in Elmhurst...the oldest one opened back in 1948!
Plus, we're introducing the NEW Hey Elmhurst! game, where you try to guess a local business from a few clues!
We also cover two brand-new restaurants that just opened in town, and we round up the best events happening in Elmhurst this week.
🎮 Play the Hey Elmhurst! game: https://heyelmhurst.com/
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
1 Jul 2026
Where do we meet people in town?!
We used to have a 4th of July parade?! 🎉
In this episode, Jeff and I dive into Elmhurst's surprising 4th of July history including a decades-long parade that quietly disappeared, fireworks that got shut down because of angry car dealers, and a patriotic-themed burger joint I never knew existed!
Plus, we answer a listener question about how to make friends as an adult in Elmhurst (we've all been there) and take a trip down memory lane through downtown's old storefronts.
We also round up the best 4th of July events in and around DuPage County, and I share one of my new favorite local spots you don't want to miss!
🇺🇸 Check out my full 4th of July guide (https://heyelmhurst.com/4th-of-july/)
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com/)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com/) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
24 Jun 2026
The Question Everyone Keeps Asking Me...
In this episode, we cover Candycopia's Guinness World Record attempt, the wave of new businesses that just opened (Spark, Maple & Yolk, and Zodiac Cafe), and the spots coming soon that I'm most excited about (Naansense, Sunrise Smash, and Village Eye Care)!
Plus, we finally have an update on the question I get asked more than anything else: what's going in the old Silverado spot?
We also round up the best 4th of July events in and around DuPage County, and I share one of my new favorite local spots you don't want to miss!
🔴 Leave us a message (https://call.show/heyelmhurst) to be featured on the show!
✉️ Join our free email newsletter at heyelmhurst.com (https://heyelmhurst.com)!
🎥 Recorded at Spark Scent Collective (https://sparkelmhurst.com) in beautiful downtown Elmhurst, IL.
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