Pablo's restaurant in Crystal Lake in danger of closing

A popular Crystal Lake restaurant is in danger of closing, its owner said.

Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, 230 W. Virginia St., Suite 300, could close next week unless thousands of dollars are raised to support the Mexican eatery.

Owner Jennifer Falbo is hoping to raise $200,000 with a GoFundMe campaign.

“It would be a terrible loss to the community to not have a place like Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant,” her husband, Freddie Falbo, wrote on the campaign page. “Any donations to this fund will be used to cover overdue and unpaid bills, purchase much-needed equipment, buy food and get Pablo’s back on its feet again. It will be nice to see the woman who gives her all get something back from her community.”

Jennifer Falbo has been a part of the restaurant for nearly 20 years, first as a server and bartender, then general manager and finally owner. She purchased the business from Paul Morin in 2014 when he decided to rejoin his family in Texas.

“It’s an old restaurant and my equipment is failing, and bills are piling up,” Jennifer Falbo said. “I’ve spent all the money I can as an owner. I can’t do it anymore.”

Throughout the years, she’s donated her time and resources to many local nonprofits, including Helping Paws, Relay for Life and Toys for Tots. She doesn’t want to give that up.

“I’m swallowing my pride and asking for help,” she said.

Northwest Herald readers voted Pablo’s the best Mexican restaurant in McHenry County last year.