Jan. 12, 2024

Northwest Sioux Falls has gained a liquor store, and an adjacent pub from the same owner is expected to open next month.

The new Uncle Doug’s Liquor opened just before the new year in a new building — Birger’s by U — at 5406 W. University Trail on the northeast side of the growing University Hills Village apartment complex. It’s the second liquor store along Marion Road for Dave Birger, who also owns Fogies Liquor Gallery on the south side of Sioux Falls at 57th Street.

In addition to shelves filled with bottles of liquor and wine, Uncle Doug’s features a walk-in beer cooler, said Ethan Harvey, a grandson of Birger’s.

“It has anything people are looking for and ciders to sours to alternatives,” said Harvey, the bar manager for nearby Credo’s Pub and the future BB’s Pub, which will be next to the liquor store. “I can’t promise you that everything is there, but either we have it or are definitely willing to get it for you.”

There’s also a good selection of THC-infused drinks, which are growing in popularity, he noted.

Uncle Doug’s also has four humidors filled with cigars “for people who want to come in and pair a nicer bourbon and whiskey with cigars.”

The cooler stocks Credo’s Pub take-and-bake pizza and Dimock Cheese for snacking. Other food items include jerky, chips and candy.

Inventory is still arriving, but the store should be fully stocked soon, Harvey said. The store is open daily.

The name “Uncle Doug’s” honors Birger’s brother Doug.

“He has helped out at Fogies for the last several years doing inventory, stocking, things like that,” Harvey said of his great-uncle.

The pub next to the liquor store will be the new home for BB’s Pub, a longtime bar and grill at 49th Street and Westport Avenue that closed a year ago but has been living on in Credo’s Pub in the meantime.

Credo’s is on the first floor of one of the apartment buildings in the nearby complex. When BB’s opens, the two businesses likely will split up or share some of food offerings, Harvey said.

Breakfast will move to BB’s, pizzas likely will stay at Credo’s, and “I know for sure broasted chicken will be at both.”

The team is working on the menu now while the build-out continues.

“It looks like we’re going to do a mix of pub food and a mix of restaurant food, some nice meals that you see at a sit-down restaurant,” Harvey said.

BB’s will have a full liquor license and offer 46 taps, 10 fewer than the original location but still among the largest offerings in the city.

It will be open daily and will be family-friendly until 10 p.m. – just like Credo’s Pub.

While Credo’s might have been thought of as a temporary home for BB’s until it reopened, it has gained its own following, Harvey said.

“Credo’s will be around for at least the next few years,” he said. “With New Year’s Eve, we had about 70 people in here for the ball drop.”