A sports bar co-owned by former NBA player and South Dakota native Mike Miller is coming to Sioux Falls.

Upscale sports bar Let it Fly will be taking over the Turks & Caicos Cabana Grille space at The Bridges at 57^th Street and Western Avenue.

“We’re excited about it,” said David Rodriquez, the company’s president, in a statement. “Our group is from the area and the concept is something we’ve wanted to do for a while. It’s in an up-and-coming part of town that will continue to grow, the patio and visibility is second to none and it fits the market we’re looking to serve.”

Let it Fly approached Sioux Falls-based Vanguard Hospitality about taking over the space, Vanguard chief operating officer Tim Meagher said in a statement.

Turks & Caicos opened in the spring of 2018.

“After considering the opportunity, we decided to allow Let it Fly to bring the space into its next generation,” Meagher said. “We wish them all the best as they come into Sioux Falls and want to thank our guests for their tremendous support of Turks & Caicos over the last three years.”

Miller also has a Let it Fly restaurant in Memphis, but the Sioux Falls Let it Fly will be “completely different,” Rodriquez said.

While there will still be sports bar fare such as bone-in wings, appetizers and ribs, the menu also will include more higher-end dishes.

“We’ll still bring some of that Memphis flavor to South Dakota, but it’s going to be elevated a bit while still at a great price point. We aren’t going to be too fancy but you will see designer dishes,” Rodriquez said.

The beverage menu also will evolve to fit the market but will include “a ton of local beers” and a full bar, he said.

While Miller lives in Memphis and has a busy travel schedule, he has family within walking distance of The Bridges and will be a regular guest, Rodriquez said.

“I can guarantee you Mike will be there celebrating the new location and I would be very confident to say if you come into Let it Fly you’re going to see Mike from time to time.”

Vanguard is open to bringing back Turks & Caicos Cabana Grille in a different location, Meagher added.

“We’ll be leaving the property but taking the name and brand with us and are open to a new location in the future,” he said. “Guests absolutely have shown us they love the resort-like, getaway experience we created with Turks & Caicos, and we would like to recreate that elsewhere. We also know our guests’ favorite menu items well, so watch for those to surface in various ways in the months ahead.”

The last day of operation will be March 20. Gift cards will be accepted at other Vanguard Hospitality restaurants: Grille 26, Minervas in downtown Sioux Falls and Morrie’s Steakhouse.

The transition will bring a different, but equally exciting dining option for visitors at The Bridges, said Mike Van Buskirk of developer and property manager Van Buskirk Companies.

“We’re happy to see a new concept coming in, bringing some fresh energy and a new look to the space,” he said.

“To see a new restaurant opening during these times is an indication of the strength of The Bridges and its ongoing continuity. I think it will draw a lot of traffic from the neighborhood and the region. It’s a real positive.”

Let it Fly will remodel the interior and exterior of the building, taking it from a resort-inspired vibe to a high-end sports bar look.

“It will look completely different from a guest perspective, still beautiful but also very comfortable and fit the sports bar theme,” Rodriquez said.

He’s mindful, though, that patio season is fast-approaching. The plan is to have Let it Fly open by the end of May.

“From a structural standpoint, there  won’t be moving of walls. It’s mostly aesthetic changes, so we’re going to turn this pretty quick.”