CRYSTAL VIEW CAFE BIDS FARWELL TO LONGTIME MANAGERS AND
WELCOMES NEW LEADERSHIP FOR 2025 SEASON
A beloved icon on the shores of Crystal Lake, the Crystal View Café is entering a new era in 2025 - one that honors its nearly century-long legacy while embracing fresh ideas, local leadership, and a renewed focus on community needs. The café is open to the public starting on Monday, June 16. Hours: Weekdays: 10:00am – 5:00pm / Weekends: 12:00am – 5:00pm.
After nearly a decade of warm hospitality, Fritz and Susan Kraft, who have managed Crystal View since 2016, retired at the close of the 2024 season. The Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA) community extends heartfelt thanks to the Krafts for their years of dedication, service, and friendship. From ice cream smiles to lakeside lunches, they’ve filled bellies and hearts alike.
Stepping into their shoes this season is Katie Wind, a fifth-generation Crystal Lake cottager and longtime Crystal View customer. Katie brings a dynamic blend of local roots and professional experience to her new role as Café Manager. As a small business owner, Airbnb host, and former restaurant worker and teen camp facilitator, Katie is uniquely positioned to lead the café into its next chapter.
“The Crystal View has always been more than a café - it’s where memories are made,” says Katie. “I’m honored to build on what the Krafts created while offering something new and meaningful for today’s families. I look forward to welcoming locals and vacationers, as well as our CSA members.”
What’s New for 2025 at the Crystal View Café?
- A reimagined menu featuring fresh, affordable, and allergy-friendly items
- Weekly and daily specials, plus quick grab & go options
- Family-focused updates like a communal lakeview table, Wi-Fi access for working parents, and sustainable service material
- A commitment to eco-conscious practices
- Occasional special events
Katie Wind also draws inspiration from her daughter, Sam, who began volunteering with the CSA and is now a proud Crystal View team member. “Sam’s involvement inspired me to take this step,” says Katie. “Together, we’re excited to contribute to something that means so much to so many.”
HISTORY OF THE CRYSTAL VIEW
The Crystal View Cafe has become a staple of CSA life in the twenty-first century. It’s a place for families to meet for lunch, for kids to grab ice cream after an intense tennis match, and for the nostalgic to stare out at the view from its vantage point just above Crystal Lake. However, did you know that behind the cafe’s comforting, familiar exterior lies almost a century of history. Click here to read the story!
