Culver's restaurant coming to Ontario; Cheddar's closing Sunday

Cheddars Scratch Kitchen restaurant is closing Sunday. A GetGo gas station is planned for that location.
Cheddars Scratch Kitchen restaurant is closing Sunday. A GetGo gas station is planned for that location.

ONTARIO ― The busy retail strip on Lexington-Springmill is set to get a new restaurant ― Culver's ― just as customers say farewell to Cheddar's and Old Carolina Barbecue Company.

Culver's, known for its "ButterBurger" hamburgers and frozen custard, is coming before Ontario Planning Commission at 4 p.m. Wednesday with a variance request.

Thursday, Ontario Zoning Inspector Michael Moyer said the Culver's restaurant plans to locate across from Meijer's near the Bell Store gas station at 1364 N. Lexington-Springmill Road.

More:New GetGo gas station gets OK from Ontario Planning Commission

ODW Management LLC of Taylor, Mich., on paperwork sent to the city zoning office, said in its variance request they would like "reduction of the rear yard building setback to the east from 20 feet to 16 feet to allow the construction of a Culver's restaurant while maintaining the required front yard parking setback and the required dimensioning for parking stalls and drive aisles."

Site plan submitted for new Culver's restaurant in Ontario
Site plan submitted for new Culver's restaurant in Ontario

The document states the section of the zoning ordinance to be varied is 1141.01. It says that the unique hardship or practical difficulties which justify this variance are as follows:

"The exiting lot is shallower than typical as it is currently used for a single-family residence. The neighbor to the east was approached to see about purchasing additional property and performing a lot line adjustment, but the neighbor is not interested in selling a portion of their property," applicant Ross Fernandez said on the request form.

The Culver's site plan document shows the drive-thru restaurant will be built on 1.22 acres, and business hours will be 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, with 60 total employees with maximum of 18 employees at one time. Proposed parking includes 68 spaces.

Culver's is headquartered in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The closest Culver's restaurants to Mansfield include Medina and Powell.

In 1984, Craig and Lea Culver, along with Craig’s parents George and Ruth, opened the first Culver's in the family’s hometown of Sauk City, Wisconsin, and began serving ButterBurgers and Frozen Custard, according to the website.

The company has more than 900 restaurants in 26 states, according to its website.

Cheddar's closing Sunday March 5

As the city prepares to see a new restaurant open, Cheddar's Scratch Restaurant at 979 N. Lexington-Springmill Road, is closing Sunday, making way for a new GetGo gas station. The GetGo project will start in the spring of 2023.

The GetGo convenience store/gas station will have a drive-thru for fresh food. There will be 12 fueling stations for passenger vehicles and 39 parking spaces, the News Journal earlier reported.

Old Carolina Barbecue Company at 2035 W. Fourth St., also closed recently.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Culver's is set to open at 1364 N. Lexington-Springmill Road