A rendering of the proposed Culver’s location. Courtesy | Hillsdale Culver’s 3-D Images

Culver’s received approval for its proposed location across the street from Meijer following a decision by the city’s planning commission April 15.

The site plan for the proposed Culver’s, which would be located at 3741 W. Carleton Rd., was submitted March 25.

Culver’s is the latest in a series of new businesses that have recently come to Hillsdale, including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Aldi, and Meijer.

Tyler Smith, a project manager at Kimley-Horn of Michigan — a consulting firm on the project — said the building will be south of Aldi and include a wrap-around drive-through with two lanes.

“We’ve been in coordination with Aldi,” Smith said. “This is their property technically, that we’re purchasing it from.”

Culver’s is a Wisconsin-based fast-food chain known for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard, with locations across 26 states.

The project is still awaiting approval on permits from the Michigan Department of Transportation, according to Hillsdale Zoning Administrator Olivia Smith.

“I think it’s just a matter of getting the documents in a row and then signing off on it,” Olivia Smith said. “So they were pretty much giving it a greenlight on their end.”

Junior Holly Pickett said she grew up eating at Culver’s and is looking forward to having a piece of home in Hillsdale.

“Hillsdale needs a Culver’s so my friends and I can save on gas money when going to Culver’s,” Pickett said. “Because we have on multiple occasions driven to Coldwater with Culver’s being the sole purpose.”

The addition of a Culver’s would make Hillsdale feel even more Midwestern, according to freshman Nora Shull.

“I think Culver’s is a quintessential part of the Midwestern experience and as a Michigan native I have grown up eating their burgers and custard,” Shull said.

Pickett said that one item on the menu is always part of her order.

“I always get their fries,” Pickett said. “I think they’re my favorite fast food fries.”