Popular Popcorn Stand In Downtown Crystal Lake Gets New Owner

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The popular Pop's Corn Crib, which has been operating out of a stand in downtown Crystal Lake since the 1960s, has a new owner.

The Crystal Lake City Council approved a resolution this past week to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a ground lease agreement between the city and the new owner, Noel Garcia. Garcia owns Limonadaz, which is a Chicagoland-based business serving handcrafted lemonades and limeades at festivals and music events, according to city documents.

The corn crib will continue to serve up popcorn, soft drinks, snack and popcorn balls.

"We would like to continue to offer that nostalgic family friendly snack joint," Garcia said during a city council meeting on Tuesday.

Garcia has lived in Crystal Lake his whole life, he told the city council.

"My plan is to continue the legacy of Pop's Corn Crib," he said. "Growing up here, I was about 13 when I was first able to ride my bike to get popcorn and hot dogs so I felt like I owned the world there."

The former owner of Pop's Corn Crib died in early 2025, according to city documents. The widow of the owner has been working with the city since to find a new operator.

In recent months, Garcia submitted his intent to purchase the business to the city, according to city documents. He has agreed to terms of the city's new lease agreement.

"The business plan is to continue the legacy. The menu updates, we plan to remove some stuff and add some newer, cool things," he said.

The term of the lease will be for ten years with the option of four successive five-year extension terms unless either party given notice of non-renewal six months prior to the expiration of the current term.

Under the new lease agreement, there are provisions for the city to enforce terms and conditions, including:

• Aesthetic standards for the building
• Maintenance standards
• Terms stipulating conditions for assignment of the lease agreement
• Conditions for the City and lessee to execute an optional extension
• Lessee required to perform litter clean up and clean off tables in the new Depot Park