Black Rock Cow Making the Rounds All Over Town

Sitting in the middle of the stands waving his sparkly pom poms, the spotted cow from the was just another spectator during a boys varsity basketball game last month at Harland High School against Howell. With the Hartland band cheering him on, the cow danced and cheered as the young kids around him watched and giggled.

“We’re part of the Hartland community,” said Lonny Morganroth, owner of the Black Rock. “And the cow wants to watch the game.”

Walking through the crowds and posing for pictures with groups of local teens that had their cell phones ready, the random cow made heads turn.

“I think it’s very important, obviously for all the local businesses to be involved in the school,” said basketball fan Kevin Lineberry. “One not only because they may have children of their own, but certainly their customers do as well. And the school is a very vital part of the community.”

Hartland first began to notice the Black Rock cow waving to passing traffic a few months ago when the Black Rock opened in October. Originally, Morganroth had decided to rent a costume to attract more notice for the restaurant’s open sign and visited the local costume store not really knowing what he was looking for.

“It finally hit me: cows and steak. It’s perfect,” Morganroth said. “It’s turned into something of a phenomenon.”

And while other Hartland businesses sometimes send out costumed figures to attract business as well — for instance a gorilla at the was recently waving at traffic on the east side of U.S. 23 — Black Rock's cow is out along the highway most days.

In just a few short months, Morganroth realized he was on to something when the Hartland community started to show how much they cared about the cow.

“I had one guy come in with a tip for the cow,” he said. “And on one cold day someone came in with hand warmers.”

Adding to the short history of the cow is the fact that this is already the second cow costume Black Rock has invested in since the first one went missing weeks after their opening.

“One day it was in our employee bathroom and you know what, it ended up not being in there,” said Morganroth, who spent the next four to six weeks cow-less as he waited for the new costume to arrive. “In the long run, I’m actually glad for it because the old one looked used and we’re a new company. Our inside's a beautiful place and I think we should have a nice-looking cow instead of a used cow.”

The original costume was found, however, and returned to the restaurant with Black Rock giving the woman who was lucky enough to find it on a rock outside her home, a reward.

Both costumes are now being put to good use with one designated as the outdoors costume and one being reserved for local events and evening appearances. Since the restaurant has decided to embrace its accidental mascot, it began introducing him to its patrons during certain dining hours on weekend nights. Guided by a helpful hostess, the cow moves around the restaurant, making people smile and posing for pictures.

“It’s not just the kids who enjoy it,” Morganroth said. “I stood over here and watched a couple in that booth get up for a picture. They loved it.”

“We noticed him right away when we walked in and we’re like ‘Oh, there’s a cow,’” said Kelly Resseguie, who was visiting Black Rock with her family for the first time for her mother’s birthday. “It’s definitely a draw for the family.”

Just by walking up to a table, the already fun and lively atmosphere of Black Rock on a weekend night was increased by the cow’s presence as groups laughed and made more than one cow joke.

“You have to love the cow cause he’s a real moo-ver and shaker,” Susan Klein said as she enjoyed a night out with friends.

Riding the tide of the cow’s popularity, Morganroth also decided to sponsor a contest to name the Black Rock cow, with the winner receiving a $100 gift certificate.

Morganroth also has plans to keep sending the cow to local high school events, just so they can show their support to the community.

Frank Striker, who was at the basketball game with his three-year old son, Caden, agreed with the plan saying that seeing the cow helped with the "local feel" of the event. He also stressed that his young son enjoyed the cow and mentioned to his dad how “nice” he was.

“He had to go and say hi, that was his thing,” Striker said. “He had me walking all around and was all excited, so he made me go and say 'hi.'”