Crystal Lake is the clear leader in McHenry County. The City of Crystal Lake was ranked one of the top 20 communities for retail sales in the Chicagoland area. Achieving over $1.5B in retail sales and more than $160 million in dining and entertainment revenue, Crystal Lake’s continued strong performance in retail and dining can be attributed to the recent new developments and redevelopments within the community.
Located along the Three Oaks Recreation Area, Water’s Edge — a transformative 23-acre mixed-use development combining 260 residential units with modern lifestyle and destination opportunities and anchored by popular tenants like First Watch, CAVA, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, BBQ King and America’s Best — mixes urban convenience with the natural beauty of its scenic lakeside setting. From its new 3-mile trail loop to its inflatable Aqua Park and space for outdoor activities such as paddle boarding, fishing, scuba diving, wakeboarding and live music/entertainment, developments that deliver quality of life amenities to the community are always welcome in Crystal Lake. The development is still underway with additional commercial ground-up opportunities.
Since the success of Woodlore Townes, a 47-unit townhome community, and the launch of Woodlore Townes II, which added another 55 units to meet rising demand, residential investment in Crystal Lake continues to increase.
As Crystal Lake continues to approve new developments to shape the City’s core, such as Waterside, a new 107-unit townhome project, it’s clear that Crystal Lake is a community that intentionally invests in places where residents live, work and play.
In addition to the new housing opportunities, Crystal Lake continues to see growth in the business community beyond Water’s Edge. The City welcomed a number of national and regional businesses over the last year, including Vasa Fitness, 7 Brew Coffee, Daiso, Michaels, Cilantro Taco Grill and 2 Hours of Freedom Jump Park. Additionally, a number of new local restaurants opened, including Lake Roots, Florio’s Italian, Poke West and Black Market Bakery. The City of Crystal Lake’s Community and Economic Development team is committed to supporting new businesses and the community’s intentional business growth.
Crystal Lake prioritizes developments that complement the city’s expanding development corridors while also delivering a more meaningful sense of place. The City keeps the charm and economic vitality of Crystal Lake’s historic downtown top of mind when enhancing opportunities for community connection. A new development, Depot Park, is a central gathering spot with outdoor seating, performance spaces, and walkable paths that will provide opportunities for human expression and connection that drive support in the community.
