September 3, 2025 – West Bend, WI – The West Bend plan commission pushed a proposal for a Culver’s Restaurant on S. Main Street forward on a 6-3 vote even though a traffic impact study still needs to be completed.
The proposed restaurant is eyeing the property at 1437 and 1505 S. Main Street. The site is currently home to Omicron Restaurant and Visionworks. The 1.47-acres combines the two parcels; the new Culver’s will be 5,066 square feet.
The crux of the issue discussed Tuesday night was the amount of traffic anticipated on S. Main Street. The scope of the traffic analysis would also need to review driveways in the area including Kohl’s, the car wash to the south of the property, the intersection of Main Street and Butternut Street, and the driveway to the north by Pedal Moraine.
Plan commission member Jed Dolnick said he was primarily concerned about traffic backing
up and not being able to exit and enter the site efficiently.
There was also discussion about the two-way left turn lanes on Main Street and how that might stack up on a busy Friday night.
At the end of discussion, the motion was to approve the site plan along with a necessary traffic impact analysis. The vote was 6-3 with Dolnick voting no. “There’s that saying, trust but verify. Speaking for myself, I would like to verify the traffic study before approving the site plan just to make sure.”
The traffic impact analysis was anticipated to be completed in the coming months.
On a side note, one of the more interesting statistics relayed during the meeting was that in the last two years, sales at the Culver’s on W. Washington Street have increased by almost $2 million from what they were before.
Plans call for razing the two existing buildings at 1437 and 1505 S. Main Street.
So, is Omicron closing or moving?
Bill is 83. Sounds like he’s retiring.
Finally, that man has worked to the bone, he needs it
We don’t need another fast food place in West Bend. Especially on Main St.
Will Jumbos survive? Sort of like approving a Chipotle right across the street from Qdoba? Okay, but why? Couldn’t Culver’s just build somewhere else?
A well deserved rest to enjoy life. Bill and John and their families have worked very hard to keep the doors of the Omicron open through “covid” and the normal difficulties in maintaining help and a good product for the customers. They have succeeded and will be greatly missed by many. Not sure where I will go to get my advice on life challenges and daily suggestions without going into Bill’s office in the corner closest to car wash. Hope everything works out for all involved.