Sept. 10, 2024

The Empire Mall’s food court is starting to fill in with new restaurants.

Semir Secic is opening a Stir Fry Express in the location that most recently was Jacky’s. He also has locations for the restaurant in St. Cloud and Duluth, Minnesota.

It’s a self-serve Chinese concept, where customers choose from among popular entrees and weigh their selections to pay.

“The big difference for us is we make everything from scratch in our store, including the sauces, so nothing comes frozen,” Secic said. “Everything is made in our kitchen.”

Entrees include orange chicken, teriyaki chicken, beef and broccoli, chicken and broccoli, kung pao chicken and sesame chicken, he said. Customers can add steamed or fried rice, lo mein, egg rolls and spring rolls.

“It gives you the freedom to pick how much you want to eat,” Secic said.

“The build-out is pretty much done because it used to be a Chinese restaurant, so we’re getting new equipment in the kitchen, and then everything else should be ready to go.”

Before Jacky’s, the space was Leeann Chin. The Chinese restaurant closed as the mall did at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 but never reopened.

Secic has started hiring for Stir Fry Express and hopes to open by early October.

Once that restaurant is up and running, he will focus on bringing a second concept to The Empire Mall.

This one, El Burrito, will take over the former Taco John’s space.

“I had one in Duluth and sold it last year, so the opportunity came to do it again in Sioux Falls, and I thought it would be a good idea to give it a go,” Secic said.

Similar to national build-your-own burrito concepts, this one allows customers to choose their proteins and toppings for burritos, bowls, tacos and quesadillas.

Staff will be dedicated to each individual restaurant, Secic said.

“Our main thing is quality — quality food and service, and we’re not going to compromise anything. We’re just going to execute on a high level and train people to do certain jobs at certain locations,” he said.

The hope is to open in March 2025.

“We’re excited,” Secic said. “I think it’s a great opportunity, and the mall seems to be doing really well. We’re excited to have Dillard’s there, so that will definitely draw traffic.”