ButterBurger’s new home slated to open first week of May
The Cathman family only wanted to reveal to the public a sneak peek of their Culver’s franchise’s remodeled entryway, order line and food window. The rest is up to imagination until it opens, hopefully, the first week in May. (Photos by Correne Martin)
The north-facing side of Culver’s in Prairie du Chien is still receiving brick and siding this week. Curb and gutter is nearly complete, and blacktop is expected to be laid next week.
By Correne Martin
When grilled about when Culver’s Restaurant will reopen in Prairie du Chien, owners Jason, Jen and Justin Cathman said they’re still shooting for the first week of May.
The last few weeks of unanticipated April snowstorms set back construction slightly. But the crew is now pressing its schedule toward perfection.
Driveway access from La Pointe Street has been moved further down the roadway, away from Marquette Road. The intent with that change was for safety reasons and to help with the flow of the restaurant’s drive-through, according to Jason.
Also outside, the parking lot is almost curbed and guttered, and blacktop will be put down next week. On the interior, carpet, ceiling and furniture installation and finishing design work will be happening soon.
The Cathmans are ready to return to the art of serving a great ButterBurger in their freshly-rebranded franchise space.
“Everyone’s real excited about this,” Jason stated. “We look forward to seeing our customers again and getting back to work.”
Culver’s of Prairie du Chien employees have had the past three weeks off from work, paid. As the interior starts to take shape, they will soon be back cleaning and moving in supplies and furnishings.
A number of employees were inside Tuesday, April 24, getting a sneak peek of the new dining room’s flavor. They were treated to a tour, seeing the new Culver’s blue, tan and brick wall coverings, stamped concrete walkway, two main seating areas, the offset private room, bar level seating, waiting section, bathrooms, condiment and beverage spot, drive-through and dessert area and kitchen. It’s certainly a work in progress.
The amenities within the new restaurant will be impressive, as the Cathmans described. The rock wall facing customers as they enter, the colors of the dining room, a three-tiered ceiling, LED lighting, and the square and round tables of various heights will be both welcoming and comfortable. Stained glass and partial walls will separate the two main seating areas. Wi-Fi is being boosted for stronger signals, and most of the booths inside will also feature USB ports, where patrons can plug in their digital devices.
“[The USB ports] are something so small but I think it’s really fantastic to offer,” Jason said.
Upgrades to duct work and heating and cooling of the place, as well as energy-efficient exhaust hoods and fryers, will improve the ventilation and overall feel for diners, Jason pointed out.
As Culver’s prepares its real Wisconsin cheese and other fresh, never frozen ingredients for its customers to enjoy in a few weeks, the exact date of reopening will be left to anticipation, because it’s simply unknown, the family said.
“[The opening date] is going to be spread on short notice,” he said, noting, the time will be at 10 a.m. and likely include a ribbon cutting prior to that. Corporate office staff will hopefully be on site for the celebration as well.
