Oct. 15, 2024

Here’s a look at recent changes in the business landscape in the Sioux Falls area.

Babies R Us has returned to Sioux Falls as a store-within-a-store at Kohl’s. The national baby retailer’s products are available at the west-side store at Empire East, 3810 S. Louise Ave. Babies R Us closed in 2018 as part of the larger Toys R Us bankruptcy.

A new food truck in Sioux Falls features loaded baked potatoes. Travis and Traci Decker have started Street Taterz, which also sells bratwurst, chili dogs and chili by the bowl. Locations are posted on Facebook and Street Food Finder.

Augustana University has renamed its business school the Rydell School of Business with support from Bill and Ellen Rydell. The school, which is home to eight undergraduate and three graduate programs, is a way for the couple to carry on the torch lit by Ellen’s mother, the late Edith Mortenson Delman, an alumna who managed the college’s business office from 1941 to 1945 and later served on its Board of Regents.

Longtime retailer Shoe Diva is open in its new home in The Bridges at 57th. The locally owned shoe store, which also sells clothing and accessories, left The Empire Mall for the commercial development at 57th and Western. It’s open daily.

Taco John’s is coming to Tea. The restaurant will be in a strip mall that’s under construction on the northwest corner of the Interstate 29 exit. It’s expected to open next spring.

New franchisees with a background in the restaurant industry are bringing Wingstop  to the south side of Sioux Falls. The goal for Mike Leslie and Jeff Oliver is to open the restaurant at 3605 W. 57th St., just east of Louise Avenue, by the end of the year. The Wingstop at 1902 S. Minnesota Ave. has a different franchisee.

Eight months after a glycol leak in the Jones421 Building forced a closure and renovation, Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen is back. The locally owned restaurant is part of the first-floor marketplace of the mixed-used building at 421 N. Phillips Ave. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

A food truck that got its start this summer at Okoboji in northwest Iowa has relocated to the parking lot at 8th & Railroad Center in downtown Sioux Falls. Geo’s Hamburger Shopp features old-school hamburgers, lobster rolls, all-beef hot dogs that are deep-fried, tavern dogs, a brisket-stuffed smoked sausage and walking tacos. It’s open daily, with updates posted on Facebook.

After more than 20 years in business, Steinberg’s Furniture will close next year with owner Dan Steinberg’s retirement. The store at 1621 W. 12th St. plans to close by May 1 if not sooner. The store features leather and log furniture, and has 4,000 rugs in its inventory.

Sanford Health will add a new pediatric emergency department specially designed and equipped for children, thanks to a lead gift from David H. and Christine Billion. The new space will be adjacent to the existing emergency department at Sanford USD Medical Center. Construction on the David H. and Christine Billion Pediatric Emergency Department is expected to start in January.

J. Crew Factory has opened in The Empire Mall. The national retailer sells “preppy-inspired” apparel and accessories for men, women and children. It’s located in the JCPenney wing in a space that most recently was Go Calendars, Toys & Games. That retailer moved to a smaller space across the hall.

The Museum of Visual Materials has been rebranded as Mosaic Arts & Events to better represent the mission of the nonprofit organization at 500 N. Main Ave. Mosaic offers art classes for all ages, and the historic building serves as an event venue for public and private gatherings.

A community center that’s meant to be a gathering space without serving alcohol has opened at 921 E. Eighth St. Good NAtured is the creation of Shannon Ward. The space is used for community-building, skill-sharing, events and classes. Eventually, it will sell locally made items. Good NAtured sells nonalcoholic beverages and pizzas from Tomacelli’s.

Move To Heal South Dakota, which was founded almost five years ago, has joined forces with The Compass Center, which marks its golden jubilee in 2025. The merger represents not only a consolidation of resources but also a fusion of visions aimed at revolutionizing how South Dakota addresses sexual, relational and family trauma, The Compass Center said in a news release. The merger will introduce Move To Heal’s evidence-based Healing Arts Program, grounded in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga, to The Compass Center’s existing crisis care, long-term healing and prevention services for victims and survivors.

Kwik Star is adding two locations in Sioux Falls this month along Madison Street on opposite ends of the city. The northwest gas station and C-store opened Oct. 3 at 901 N. Ebenezer Ave., along West Madison Street. Kwik Star’s northeast site at 1301 N. Finnegan Ave., along East Madison Street, is scheduled to open Thursday.

Send Comings & Goings news to Jodi@SiouxFalls.Business.