Aug. 24, 2023

The coming months will bring a string of new business openings and new residents to Lake Lorraine.

“It keeps filling in around here,” said Mike Van Buskirk, president of operations for co-developer Van Buskirk Cos. “Activity continues.”

Several quick-service restaurants are preparing to open, including Dairy Queen, which holds hiring events next week. The DQ Grill & Chill location at Lake Lorraine is a relocation for a nearby store.

The restaurant at Lake Lorraine is scheduled to open Sept. 12.

“The current staff is moving over, but we are looking to hire around 20 additional team members in preparation for the new restaurant and the expected increase in sales,” said Justin Kraus, vice president of real estate for franchisee Fourteen Foods.

DQ will host open interviews at the new location, 2200 S. Marion Road, for team members and shift managers from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31.

Shortly after that, Chick N Max is scheduled to open its first Sioux Falls location at Lake Lorraine.

The Kansas-based restaurant specializes in almond wood smoked chicken and wings, chef-crafted sandwiches and fried tenders.

“We’re getting close,” a spokesperson for Chick N Max said. “Everything is going well with construction, and it looks like the new restaurant should be opening in the third week of September.”

Chick N Max is hiring for hourly employees and shift leaders. Click here to learn more.

Starbucks also is moving ahead with construction of its build-out. The coffee shop plans to open in mid-November.

That also could be around the time that Five Below brings its first retail store to Sioux Falls. While no opening has been set yet for the store being built in a new addition next to Hobby Lobby, the hope is for before the end of the year, Van Buskirk said.

“It’s well on track,” he said.

The number of commercial opportunities in the development is dwindling, he added. There are some vacant lots left and some vacancy in existing retail centers, but “luckily things have been going pretty good,” Van Buskirk said. “The retail is very successful here.”

More residents should only add to that, he said. And those are coming.

The Blu plans to begin moving in residents in the coming weeks to its upscale apartments along the lake. Today, there’s a grand opening party with tours from 4 to 8 p.m.

Baking up a Storm, which will operate a bakery on the first floor of the building, will be there with samples. It’s planning to open Sept. 5.

There’s also new housing under construction at The Shores at Lake Lorraine. Of the 16 town homes built, 13 are sold, two are on the market, and work is wrapping up on the final one. Pricing has been in the $700,000s. The next phase by builder Krumvieda Cos. will be 28 luxury twin homes, starting at just over $1 million.

“We will be starting another building this fall on top of the hill and then next year will be jumping down to the lakefront units to start those. We’re taking deposits on lots, so buyers can get the best spot for their liking,” president Aaron Krumvieda said. “All the units’ interior walls and finishes are fully customizable, so there’s a lot of flexibility.”

A homeowners association will handle lawn care and landscaping, snow, exterior insurance, maintenance and trash.

“As part of this phase, we will be introducing some really cool pocket parks and green spaces,” Krumvieda added.

“The Lake Lorraine development is great. Our homeowners love the lake, amenities and quick access to different areas of town. We even have repeat customers — one of which was our first buyer and we’re currently building them out a bigger one.”