SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – South Dakota’s largest city saw quite a bit of excitement in the business world during 2024 from new shops and groundbreakings to stores closing their doors – and some making a comeback.
Things seemed to be starting off on the right foot in January of this year for Sioux Falls businesses after a good holiday shopping season.
“The season was fantastic. It was unbelievable, especially the last week,” Child’s Play Toys owner Nancy Savage said in January.
“I know it’s our best December ever,” The Spice & Tea Exchange owner Tami Brown said in January.
And then, of course, came the annual Burger Battle for Downtown Sioux Falls.
“Every weekend has been big wait times. We even added extra seating to accommodate for those wait times,” Nicholas Wanner, general manager of Blarney Stone, said in January.
However, those busy weekends didn’t last. In July, we heard from business owners who were struggling.
“You know, we count on January, February and even most of March to be our slow season, but it’s expanded past March even,” Emma Schulz, owner of Heritage Boutique, said in July. “June is probably the lowest, that’s the lowest month I’ve actually seen almost this entire year so far. And for it being a summer month, it’s unheard of.”
“Discretionary spending is down and we’re not seeing folks shop with us nearly enough as we need to be successful,” Greg Koch, owner of 605 Running Company, said in July.
Whether from a lack of business, staffing issues or it just being time to say goodbye, Sioux Falls did see some businesses close up shop this year including Antiques on 18th, Chuck E. Cheese, Lupulin Brewing, Let it Fly Sports Bar and Obscure Brewing Company.
However, one local business announced a closure but shortly after made a comeback, just with new ownership — Casa del Rey.
“But you can expect the same great Mexican food that’s been here forever,” new owner Tate Eining said in August.
2024 wasn’t just about closures and comebacks, though, multiple *new businesses opened this year including the long-awaited Dillard’s in the Empire Mall. The department store was welcomed to the city by hundreds of people who waited in line for hours.
“Just hearing their excitement and how thankful they were that Dillards was here and that we were going to finally be opening, I had a feeling we were going to have a great turnout,” Dillard’s Store Manager Vanessa VanEckhoutte said in March.
One of the city’s newest developments — the Steel District — had quite the year as tenants moved in, stores opened, restaurants started serving and hotel guests arrived.
“We’ve been working on this project for so long, so to see it come together, to see it completed, and see the team at Hilton delivering on it is just awesome to see what we have here,” Lloyd Companies Chief Operating Officer Jake Quasney said in December.
As new things open and Sioux Falls continues to grow, the City is also looking to the future and all that lies ahead for 2025.
“It’s going to be a big year, we’re going to get a lot done,” TenHaken said in December.
Something that goes hand-in-hand with business is housing. Earlier in December, Sioux Falls city leaders discussed some new afford housing projects coming next year — one where the old Mercato building used to be and one along Dakota Avenue in the historic district.
