Jan. 4, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Replace snow play with sand play when you pay a visit to The Sandlot in Harrisburg.

Jaclyn Small opened the indoor sand, sensory play space and park for kids in 2020.

But rather than take on a location herself, Small co-located at 305 Willow St. with Lava’s Coffee & Cafe, which Laura Klenk opened in the back half of the building in 2018.

Since then, both businesses have grown together and expanded in their own distinct ways.

Small, a mom of three, targets The Sandlot primarily at kids age 2 to 8.

“As we approached winter months during the pandemic, we knew we were limited with indoor activity options,” she said. “My daughters asked about a place to play with sand indoors, so I took that idea, ran with it and opened The Sandlot a couple months later.”

The indoor park features four zones, including a 15-ton sandbox, a splash room and more, which ignite emotional, physical and sensory play.

That’s not all.

This past fall, Small expanded her business with a preschool program for kids age 2 to 5, which follows the Harrisburg School District calendar. It’s run from a space in the building that briefly served as a children’s and maternity boutique last year.

“Our preschool model is very much play-based with a Montessori feel,” Small explained. “There aren’t very many opportunities in the area, so we went for it.”

It’s all about building relationships in the community, she added.

That includes an existing relationship with Functional Kids Pediatric Therapy and its owner, therapist Nicole Fluth. Fluth used to work with therapy patients in the same Harrisburg building and used The Sandlot’s play spaces in conjunction with some of her services.

“While I own a sensory play space, I have to tell people I am not a therapist, I’m just a mom,” Small said. “But she has become our expert go-to therapist.”

Functional Kids Pediatric Therapy has since expanded its services to a Sioux Falls-based location but still collaborates often at The Sandlot. In fact, Small consults Fluth before adding toys or swings to her space.

“Having a spot where kids and families can socialize is a great opportunity as kids ease into new developmental transitions,” Small said. “It’s really a wonderful community.”

And when parents or visitors need a pick-me-up, they can grab a homemade baked good, smoothie or coffee treat without needing to leave the building.

Lava’s retail space offers a wide variety of merchandise from the brand Lazy One, which includes pajamas, socks, slippers, kids books, notepads and blankets.

“We also carry some seasonal and holiday items: candy dishes, kitchen towels, funny signs and some decor,” Klenk said. “I don’t believe anyone in the Sioux Falls area carries Lazy One.”

And beyond that, the co-located space adds to the visitor’s experience, both owners said.

“We work really well together,” Klenk said. “We have become good friends here, and we do events together throughout the year.”

Their upcoming family-friendly joint events include Valentine’s Day and Easter. The business owners even help cross-promote each other’s various happenings on social media pages.

“We play off each other all the time, and it’s a relationship that I don’t foresee going anywhere,” Small said. “It’s a treat for parents, kids and everyone.”

Co-locating can be an effective way for small-business owners to serve growing communities, said Jesse Fonkert, president and CEO of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

“It’s exciting to see both the residential and commercial growth that Harrisburg is experiencing,” Fonkert said.

“We think the business model of retailers co-locating as they do in this building is a promising one. It brings new options to the community while allowing these small-business owners to support one another and reduce their overhead.”

Both Harrisburg business owners said they’re happy to offer something unique to keep people in town.

“My family has lived here for 15 years, and back then, we had to go to Sioux Falls to do anything for our kids,” Small said. “All of that has changed now.”

“It’s been a great experience with a lot of loyal customers and new friends,” Klenk agreed.

To learn more

The Sandlot offers a variety of options from day admission, punch passes, seasonal passes and annual memberships. Find information on its website, or social media, including Instagram and Facebook.

Small said enrollment for the fall 2023 preschool program will begin in the new year.

Visit Lava’s Facebook page for information on the coffee and gift shop.