1776 restaurant in Crystal Lake plans to turn next-door lot into parking space

Customers will see more parking spaces near 1776 restaurant in Crystal Lake next year.

Owners of the restaurant bought a lot at 295 Washington St., which currently is a single-family home.

The restaurant is in the process of applying for a special use permit to transform the site into a full parking lot, but in the meantime, the restaurant hopes employees can park there.

The house is expected to be demolished later this year. Crystal Lake City Council members approved the gravel site temporary use permit at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Allowing employees to park at the property would allow for customers to utilize the on-site parking lot for the restaurant,” according to village documents.

1776 has been open since 1990 and is regularly recognized as a Chicago-area innovator in farm-to-table and locally sourced ingredients, as well as wild-game dishes and for its award-winning wine selection and service.

Located on the Route 14 corridor, the restaurant changed ownership to Rhienna McClain Trevino a year ago.

1776 went through about $300,000 worth of renovations in early June, including remodeling the restaurant and including a new roof, gutters, windows, trim, front door, dining tables, kitchen and bar.