By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
It’s official. Bowling Green Culver’s is open and ready for business.
The ribbon cutting this morning (May 1) at the new location at 125 W. Gypsy Lane Road was the culmination of more than a year of city approvals, construction timelines, hiring and training more than 60 employees and final preparations.
The Culver’s culture of family-friendly service was in full view at the opening event, hosted by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. Owners Ben Galaviz and Dan Schwinefus lovingly included their mothers in the ribbon cutting.
The restaurant was packed with people, from the restaurant crew members to the city officials to the local residents ready to enjoy the chain’s famous Butter Burgers, cheese curds and custard.
“The city is excited to have you here,” said Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher, who acknowledged it must be a big deal because the Bowling Green Fire Division showed up in a fire truck and the Bowling Green State University mascots, Freddie and Frieda, were on hand for the festivities.
“In meetings with Ben and Dan, I have seen the culture they bring to the business. It’s about family and customer service. I appreciate that,” said Mary Hinkelman, executive director of the Bowling Green Chamber.
The Bowling Green restaurant is the third location for Galaviz and Schwinefus. They opened their first in Holland, Ohio, in 2021 and Perrysburg in 2022. “This is what we came from Wisconsin to do,” said Schwinefus. “I’ve seen Culver’s grow from a single ma and pa location to this.”
He explained that at one time, Culver’s was the competition for his family’s Hardee’s restaurant, which they eventually sold because they couldn’t compete with the quality and service of Culver’s. “But this was our opportunity to come full circle. Northwest Ohio is still part of the Midwest and the Midwest hospitality. Bowling Green felt like home.”
Bowling Green resident Jay Deutschman said he was unfamiliar with Culver’s until he had to meet a business colleague at the Culver’s in Findlay. He stayed for lunch and became an instant fan, enough that he was on hand for the ribbon cutting and looking forward to eating at the Bowling Green location.
The early morning ribbon cutting was convenient for Bowling Green optometrist and former Chamber president Dave Schilling. He was able to attend the opening before he went to work and was planning to swing by the drive-thru for a single Butter Burger after late office hours tonight.
“Bowling Green has been good to us,” said Galaviz. There had been a few concerns about signage for the restaurant, but those were resolved. “If that is our biggest challenge, we’ll be good. Now it’s up to us to create the culture.”
Robert Domagala, senior general manager for the Bowling Green store, issued a different challenge. “I’m here to give back to the community. I want to fill our calendar with Share Nights Monday through Thursday, which gives back a percentage of sales to local organizations. Culver’s has challenged me to give back to the community, so accept my challenge.”
Local organizations interested in being included in the Share Nights initiative can email bgohioculvers@gmail.com. Restaurant hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
