HOLTS SUMMIT - Why did people cross the highway? To get a picture with a big metal rooster.
For the past two years, people in Holts Summit have stopped for photos with a large, multi-colored rooster on Summit Drive. The unnamed sculpture is the official mascot of the Rooster Creek Company fabric store, owner Mike Cuno said.
"There's a creek that runs by our house, and we had him sitting by it," Cuno said of the avian creature's former roost. "That's how we came up with the name for the store a few years ago."
The big bird is a landmark many use to help get around town.
"When we give directions to the store, we usually just tell people to look for the rooster out front," Cuno said. "You can't miss it."
Although the fabric store opened in 2014, Cuno purchased the metal poultry three years prior to opening.
"I bought him from the Apple Wagon on Interstate 70 when they sold metal art," Cuno said.
Cuno used him at another store in Jefferson City called The Wood Shed until he was deployed to Kuwait with the National Guard.
There's been very little "fowl" play with the statue.
"We've had several people try to buy him, and every time we have to tell him that he's not for sale," Cuno said. "But mostly people just stop by and take photos."
Cuno said the store will be moving to Summit Plaza in the near future. At that point, the rooster will cross the road with them.
"We aren't sure where we'll put him on display, but he's staying with us," Cuno said.