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Downers Grove, Illinois souvenir mug featuring hand-drawn landmarks, held near a downtown street clock

Hand-drawn hometown collection

The Downers Grove Mug

A hand-drawn celebration of Downers Grove, available exclusively at Mud and Char.

Directions to Mud and Char

15 oz ceramic mugMicrowave safeDishwasher safe

Community
Downers Grove, Illinois
Exclusive local shop
Mud and Char2742 Maple Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515Available in store onlyGet directions
Store hours
Monday–Friday: 6 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 7 a.m.–2 p.m.Check current hoursChecked September 14, 2026. Holiday, seasonal, and special-event hours may vary.
The Downers Grove Mug: front view

Community

Downers Grove, Illinois

Downers Grove feels both lively and grounded, with a walkable downtown, treasured green spaces, and traditions that span generations. The Tivoli Theatre, Main Street station, Lyman Woods, local shops, and neighborhood events make it a rewarding place to live and visit.

Historic downtown Downers Grove

The collaboration

My mother’s hometown, drawn with Mud and Char.

Downers Grove is where my mom grew up, and other members of my family lived there as well. Because I visited often while growing up, the community has long been part of my own family story.

The Tivoli Theatre

I worked with Sarah, the previous owner of Mud and Char, to create the Downers Grove Mug. It was a fun collaboration as we chose the landmarks and local details that could tell the story of the community in one continuous drawing.

Drawn from downtown

The places Downers Grove knows by heart.

The Tivoli Theatre, downtown clock, local storefronts, and gathering places come together in one hand-drawn community story.

The Downers Grove Mug at Mud and Char

The story behind the mug

How a love for Downers Grove became a wraparound story.

  1. Mud and Char shares the community story

  2. The character of the place comes into focus

  3. Downers Grove takes shape

  4. One community story from every side

  5. Available through Mud and Char

Artist Ashley Ann holding The Downers Grove Mug inside Mud and Char
Ashley with The Downers Grove Mug at Mud and Char

Inside the illustration

Downers Grove details, drawn by hand.

01

Tivoli Theatre

The restored Tivoli Theatre anchors downtown Downers Grove’s moviegoing tradition, complete with organ music at select screenings.

02

Main Street Station

Main Street Station connects downtown Downers Grove to Chicago and Aurora on Metra’s BNSF line.

03

Lyman Woods

Lyman Woods preserves 150 acres of oak woodland, prairie, and marsh, including gravel hills left by glaciers.

04

Fishel Park

Named for former mayor Newell Fishel, this downtown park includes the Veterans Memorial Pavilion.

05

Downers Grove Museum

The Downers Grove Museum preserves local history through its historic Blodgett houses and community collections.

06

Downtown Downers Grove

Main Street’s restaurants, independent boutiques, and historic theatre make downtown Downers Grove a walkable community destination.

Artist Ashley Ann’s hand-drawn process for The Downers Grove Mug
The hand-drawn process behind The Downers Grove Mug
Ashley Ann with Sara, owner of Mud and Char, holding Downers Grove mugs inside the coffee shop
Ashley Ann with Sara, owner of Mud & Char
The Downers Grove Mug photographed inside Mud & Char
The Downers Grove Mug at Mud & Char
Downers Grove, Illinois souvenir mug featuring hand-drawn landmarks, held near a downtown street clock

Journal · Behind the drawing

Downers Grove Through My Mother's Memories

A family connection changes how the Tivoli and Main Street Station appear in this mug story.

Read the story

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