The Clear Leader is Crystal Lake.

Crystal Lake is recognized as one of the nine best Illinois small towns to visit for a weekend getaway by World Atlas. According to the article, “when it comes to family-friendly lakeside getaways, it does not get better than Crystal Lake in McHenry County.”

Developer Heartland Real Estate Partners is underway on Water’s Edge, a mixed-use redevelopment project in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake. The 30-acre project will transform a former shopping center that used to anchored by Walmart before the retailer relocated in town. Plans call for 40,000 square feet of commercial space, 260 multifamily units, public open spaces and a direct connection to Three Oaks Recreation Area

Water’s Edge will be a transformative addition to the community. Managing Principal of Heartland Real Estate Partners, Tim Grogan is especially proud of this development. “We've developed a lot of properties around the country, but this one is special. Water’s Edge is going to be the development that I'll hang my hat on at the end of my career. Working with the City has been easy, they’ve welcomed us with open arms and they were able to help get us break ground as soon as we possibly could,” Grogan said.

According to Bisnow, mix-used developments have become a must-have for suburban areas looking to provide retail and dining options close to where residents live.

Crystal Lake, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, has been pursuing growth by bringing in those commercial assets and others to benefit its residents, with several set to open in the near future.

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) raised the City’s long-term rating to AAA – the highest that can be earned. It has been assigned to very few governments in Illinois.

A northwest suburb of Chicago, Crystal Lake is a city of 40,000 with an average income of over $105,000. It has two Metra train stations and is just 35 miles from O’Hare International Airport.

Crystal Lake is also home to more than 2,500 businesses, has over $1.4 billion in annual retail sales and is ranked in the Top 20 for Chicagoland Metropolitan Area Retail Sales establishing itself as one of the Chicago region’s fastest-growing and largest communities.

“If you’re looking to settle in a suburb with premium housing, safe neighborhoods and a variety of shopping and dining options…Crystal Lake among the most affordable places”

“Crystal Lake is home to a blend of national, regional and local restaurants. Recent regional and national restaurant expansions in Crystal Lake include Raising Cane’s, Summer Moon Coffee, McAlister’s Deli, Crumbl Cookies, Guzman y Gomez, Rookies All American Pub & Grill, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.”

Crystal Lake is your destination to shop, dine, relax and play this summer! WGN Radio showcased Crystal Lake as part of the “Your Hometown” series. Discover the many great retailers, restaurants and places to visit across Crystal Lake.

The new KD Market, which will be at 29 Crystal Lake Plaza in Crystal Lake, Illinois, will open next summer and will be the grocer's largest store at approximately 41,000 square feet, NCB said in a statement. KD Market is a Polish grocery store that has been serving the Chicago area since 1998. The grocer’s newest location will continue its traditional offerings but is also looking to expand its product selection to include a more diverse range of international foods and in-store dining.

Home to over 40,000 residents with an average annual household income of over $105,000, Crystal Lake continues to grow and thrive. As one of McHenry County’s fastest-growing and largest communities, Crystal Lake is the location of more than 2,500 businesses and over 27,000 daytime workers.