May 13, 2021

A popular cookie shop from Colorado is coming to downtown Sioux Falls.

Mary’s Mountain Cookies has leased the final open space at The Cascade along North Phillips Avenue across from Falls Park West.

Franchisees Dave and Becky McElroy discovered the business while traveling in Rapid City.

It’s known for freshly baked cookies in classic and more exotic flavors, along with edible cookie dough, quarter-pound cookies and brownies, and ice cream-filled cookies. The store also offers giant cookies, cookie trays and gift baskets.

“It’s one of our favorite treats to go stop there and buy cookies and have a treat on our way home,” Becky McElroy said. “Cookies just make people happy. To me, it’s always a comfort food. I’ve always loved to bake, and my mom baked.”

The family already has proven its entrepreneurial spirit – they own Rainbow Comics, Cards & Collectibles, and she’s a partner in PatientX Agency, which specializes in health care marketing.

“We don’t like to sit and twiddle our thumbs,” she joked. “So we’re just excited to have the cookie shop.”

Mary’s Mountain Cookies is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, and familiar to many who have traveled in the area or went to Colorado State University, McElroy said. That includes their oldest daughter, who will be a freshman this fall and plans to get a part-time job at the Colorado store.

“She’ll be hopefully getting a job in Fort Collins to learn the ropes and then can just dive into mom and dad’s shop,” McElroy said.

There also likely will be some cross-promotion between the couple’s businesses — think comic books and cookies.

The hope is to open by early fall. McElroy said.

“We think Mary’s Mountain Cookies is an unbelievable final tenant to finish up the retail portion of The Cascade,” said Raquel Blount, vice president of commercial real estate at Lloyd Cos. “It’s an excellent complement to our existing mix, and it’s something people of all ages are going to love having downtown all year round – especially around Levitt shows and visits to Jacobson Plaza.”

The McElroys said they like the foot traffic in the area and the lofts upstairs, along with the surrounding businesses at The Cascade.

“I think it will be so nice for the business,” she said. “Who doesn’t want to look at Falls Park all day while you’re baking cookies?”