Sept.13, 2021

A Twin-Cities based restaurant specializing in “superfood” bowls is expanding to Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls native Lexus Paulson discovered Nautical Bowls after she moved to the Twin Cities last year following college, where she studied to become a dental hygienist.

“I googled ‘acai bowls, Minneapolis,’ and I work in Eden Prairie, and there was one five minutes away,” she said. “I called my mom and said we should franchise this. We should try to bring one to Sioux Falls.”

Shortly after, Nautical Bowls began offering franchises. Paulson and her mother, Aryls, signed on for Sioux Falls.

“I thought it was super cool. I know Sioux Falls is so into health and fitness, and I just thought it would be a great fit,” she said.

“Obviously, people have heard of the concept of acai bowls, but there are more superfood bowls, so there are a lot of bases that go into it.”

Acai, which is a slightly tart, earthy-tasting berry, is one of them. Other bases for the bowls include Blue Majik, which is an extract of a seawater algae; pitaya, which is a fruit of several cactus species that has been described as a cross between a kiwi and a pear; cacao; mango; coconut; and chia pudding. Toppings include seeds, coconut, granola, fruit and nut butters.

Ingredients are gluten-free, dairy-free, organic and with no refined sugars.

“They’re fruit-based, plant-based, so you can build your own,” Paulson said. “I think people in Sioux Falls are really going to like it.”

She leased one of the final spaces at Empire Place, the new retail development in front of The Empire Mall that has filled up its first phase.

“I was super excited I was able to snag that spot,” Paulson said. “We had to move fast, which is fine, because I want it open.”

Her plan is to start construction soon and be ready to go in November.

With Nautical Bowls and other new leases from Glamour Nails and European Nail Wax Center, the first retail centers at Empire Place are full, said Raquel Blount, vice president of commercial real estate for Lloyd Cos., who represents Empire Place.

Stand-alone locations for Chipotle Mexican Grill and Chase Bank have opened along 41st Street, and Chick-fil-A joins them Sept. 23.

Crumbl Cookies and The Good Feet Store have opened in the retail centers and will be joined by Buff City Soap, Face Foundrie, Pizza Shop and Verizon Wireless.

“It’s an unbelievably awesome lineup. I couldn’t be happier,” Blount said. “And all the tenants have opened up with record-breaking sales and are thrilled with their location.”

There’s more construction on the way. The development plans to add two more retail centers, totaling 14,000 square feet, which will be identical in size to the first two.

Ultimately, Empire Place also will add an outdoor soft-seating area, green space and additional landscaping.

“We have to get through the construction phase … but ultimately there’s going to be gathering space,” Blount said.