Culver's the Ideal Office

 Every small town has that one place that seems to draw everyone, that one place that becomes a hub reflecting the community.

One of those places in Huntley is Culver's.

The Wisconsin-based restaurant, on Illinois 47, is a hot spot on any given day of the week. As a mobile journalist, I've been on the lookout for places to log onto my computer and work. I was picking up lunch one day when I saw the sign announcing free Wi-Fi at Culver's.

It was a pleasant surprise to learn Culver's has a Wi-Fi connection. I have an airport but it's always good to find Wi-Fi. Culver's is not a place you'd think of when trying to get some work done.

Culver's would be the ideal office. There's decent music playing in the background, a soda fountain with glass after glass of Coke (the secret addiction of journalists everywhere) and interesting people to watch when you're struck by writer's block.

I'm not the only one who really like Culver's.

A survey conducted by the Village of Huntley's economic development department last year found it is the most popular restaurant in town.

What makes Culver's so great? I like the range of people you see. One day I was sitting at my desk, uh, booth, and saw a group of Huntley High School cheerleaders getting something to eat and getting ready for a game. At a nearby table there was an older couple getting an early dinner and at another table there was a family having ice cream.

The workforce is similar. There are Baby Boomers working along side teens. And then there's Richard, who seems to know everyone and who everyone seems to seek, whether it's employees or customers.

Culver's is also very community-oriented. There's always some sort of fundraiser going on and it has a community bulletin board in its lobby. The restaurant just celebrated its 10^th anniversary this fall.

 Oh, and the custard is excellent!

If you stop by Culver's, look for the woman working frantically on a Mac and say hi.