July 23, 2019

A longtime pool hall on the east side of Sioux Falls has closed, and the new owner of the property is renovating the building for new tenants.

The Pocket’s final day was July 13. Owner Terry Narum had the property at 301 S. Thompson Ave. on the market for a short time, said Ken Frear, who’s part of the ownership group that is turning the building into Thompson Square.

Half the 6,600-square-foot building will be turned into retail space for Maker Built, a locally owned custom furniture shop, Frear said.

The other half would be a perfect location for a brewery and taproom, he said.

“That’s our hope at this time since it’s already set up as a bar and that type of space. … We have been in contact with several different breweries. … With the huge parking lot and location right off Interstate 229 and 10th Street, it’s going to be a great location for something like that.”

Renovation work has started.

“We’re pretty much gutting the inside, and then we’ll see what we have to work with and then go from there.”

The purchase included the contents of the building, and Frear plans to hold an auction in mid-August to sell the pool tables and fixtures.

Thompson Square also bought an adjacent lot that was the site of The Pocket’s sand volleyball courts. The group plans to sell or lease that property.

The sale did not include The Pocket’s liquor license, which Dave & Buster’s purchased, Frear said.