Eau Claire’s Applebee’s is getting a rockin’ new look. General Manager Kyle Linzmeier wants to create a painted rock garden, with help from the community. And as an added incentive, anyone who brings in a painted rock will get a free brownie bite. 

Linzmeier was inspired to start this rock garden by his 11-year-old son, who loves to paint and hide rocks. The rock garden will sit near the entrance of the parking lot, under a lone pine tree. He has recently called out to area rock-painting groups – such as “Eau Claire Rocks!” and “Menomonie Rocks!” – to encourage rock-painting enthusiasts to get their creative hats on and get painting. This landscape area will also include a Little Free Library, courtesy of Kiwanis and their Cops N’ Kids program, which aims to promote child literacy.

The project aims to give kids in the area a “kid’s corner” at this Applebee’s, with the goal of encouraging fun and creativity. “Bottom line – and you can ask my people –  it’s just more fun,” Linzmeier said. “When we can have fun with our guests, everything changes.”

The project aims to reach completion by the end of July and then everyone can enjoy this fun community rock garden and free library. In the future, Linzmeier is hoping to have one of the cooks at Applebee’s create a mural for their back wall.