Riverside Chocolate Factory Looking to Locate in Downtown Crystal Lake

Riverside Chocolate Factory, based in McHenry, is looking to set up shop in downtown Crystal Lake.

The Crystal Lake City Council on Tuesday will consider an application from Riverside for a $10,000 matching grant fund.

If approved, the New Retailer Job Creation and Investment Matching Grant would be used by Riverside Chocolates for furniture, fixtures and equipment needed to open the store at 2 N. Williams Street, adjacent to the Flagg Antique Mall near the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue.

According to Riverside's grant application, the store would employ one full-time and three part-time employees.

Owners would improve the 1,221-square-foot retail space, and the store would feature the same hand-dipped chocolates and freshly made candies sold at its signature shop in McHenry, 2102 W. Route 120.

In November 2011, the Crystal Lake City Council approved the matching grant program as way to lure new businesses to the community, and entice existing businesses to make improvements.

The grant gives funding to new and existing retailers who occupy vacant space and hire new full-time or part-time employees and/or install eligible furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

City officials budgeted $80,000 to the grant program for this year.

To date, $70,000 of that has been allocted. Recipients this year include:

Potbelly Sandwiches, 6000 Route 14
      $10K Calco Controls, 439 S. Dartmoor   
      $10K Kumi Sushi opening 1145 S. Route 31 by Walmart       $10K Harbor Freight Tools, 6324 Route 14       $10K Crystal Lake Furniture & Mattress, 18 E. CL Plaza       $10K Marvin's Toy Store, 64 A Williams St.       $10K 40 W. Route 176        $5K Sea Level Diving, 269 Liberty        $5K