REGENT - RV'ers Cookie and Leo Welsch, of Wisconsin, wouldn't be in Regent if it weren't for the Enchanted Highway.

Out traveling the U.S., they pulled in and plugged into town Wednesday. They were charmed by the whimsical metal sculptures on the 30-mile highway between Regent and Interstate 94. It had been on their list for years to go see.

Saturday, they were charmed by a new business in town, the Metal Magic Gift Emporium and Mocha Magic coffee shop.

Owners Brad and Lena Greff and Kristen Vesledahl made burgers on the grill out front to entice folks to stop in and see the shop. The irresistible smell of sizzling meat and the hubbub of people around was a magnet for other RV'ers on their way through town.

Metal and Mocha Magic is in a converted farm implement garage, with floor space, high ceilings, plate glass windows and a dramatic color scheme in black and terra cotta.

The shop offers metal decor items for home and garden, and the coffee shop has a menu of coffee and other drinks, featuring beans roasted at Dakota's Best of Hebron.

Next to the shop is a whirlygig sculpture by artist Gary Greff, who's responsible for the seven sculptures out on the Enchanted Highway.

One door next to the whirlygig is the Enchanted Highway gift shop, which sells souvenirs and ice cream.

The idea behind the Metal Magic is to give visitors another place to stop, browse and fuel up on hot or cold caffeine. The owners say they hope it sparks yet more businesses to open in Regent.

"The traffic is great," said Vesledahl. About 10,000 people tool on down the Enchanted Highway every year. Saturday, cars and RVs were stopped at every sculpture pullout along the road.

She said visitors who've seen the shop are surprised by its urban flavor.

"They never imagined they'd find something like this in the middle of North Dakota," she said.

The shop will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily all summer long.

Cookie Welsch said they enjoy stopping in little towns on their travels, avoiding tourist traps and trying for the real flavor and any museums, parks or wildlife refuges along the way.

"I think (this shop) will work out really well for the whole town," she said.

(Reach reporter Lauren Donovan at 888-303-5511 or lauren@;westriv.com.)