People just can't keep away from the cows.
It's an accidental attraction that eccentric entrepreneur Steve Schussler created when he put 15 life-size, colorful fiberglass cows outside a dairy barn in Eden Prairie. They've spurred dozens of gawkers to stop and pet or pose with the cows.
They also inspired an even bigger idea for Schussler, nixing plans to use the 1940s-era barn he bought for storage.
Instead, he's about to unveil the Twin Cities' latest event center -- a sort of "barn meets bling" -- for weddings, bar mitzvahs, fundraisers and other such events.
This is, after all, no average country barn.
The more than $1 million renovation to the building that will open to the public in February or March includes 35 crystal chandeliers, a silo-turned-wine cellar, vintage jukeboxes and theatrical lighting that includes illumination of the outside of the barn in a bright purple glow.
"It's one of the coolest things I've done in my life, especially to share with Eden Prairie," he said. "The goal is to make people smile and to share with everyone, instead of private space for my laboratories. There's probably nothing like it in any barn in the United States."
He and his Golden Valley company, Schussler Creative Inc., are best known for dreaming up the 45 Rainforest Cafes and other wild-themed restaurants nationwide. Now the 57-year-old St. Louis Park resident and New York City native is taking his characteristic fanciful flair to the former farm fields, "bringing back to life" the barn in a new way.