Sept. 1, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

From a one-of-a-kind shopping adventure to a gamer’s paradise and a new ax-throwing bar, there are lots of new reasons for a quick trip to Tea.

Stacey’s Vintage-Art-Boutique

On your way into town, you’ll discover a shopping experience that’s always changing at Stacey’s Vintage-Art-Boutique.

“We still have people who come through the door and were like, ‘I was just driving by, so I thought I would check you out,’ and then they spend an hour or an hour and a half here,” store manager Carrie Jenson said.

Located at 27102 Albers Ave., Stacey’s has grown to include 90 vendors, plus an entire room of crystals.

“We are completely full, and we have been completely full for some time,” Jenson said.

Most of the vendors are from the Sioux Falls area, including some familiar names. New additions include Brushy Creek Gifts, which went from a storefront in Sioux Falls to a store-within-a-store at Stacey’s.

“We’re having lots of fall already come in, lots of fall decor,” Jenson said. ” Other than that, we have jewelry, we have clothing, we have art for your walls, we have candles, we have leather purses. That’s just to name a few.”

And because vendors receive sales updates and restock daily, there’s always something new to shop.

So you could come in today and see something, and tomorrow it’s gone and we have all new merchandise,” Jenson said.

Mark your calendar for Oct. 16, which is Customer Appreciation Day and will feature deals and giveaways.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Average Joe’s Gaming & Hobby Store

Head just south and east of Tea and you’ll soon realize there’s nothing average about Average Joe’s Gaming & Hobby Store.

“I love the hobby, and I love people, and you put those two together, and that’s kind of what it is,” co-owner Joe Hamerly said. “It’s more of a community place space first and a store second.”

So why Tea?

“I love the Tea community is really what it comes down to,” he said. “And there’s nothing really out here like this.”

It’s located at 27294 Verhey Place. Step inside the fairly unassuming warehouse, and you quickly discover there’s something for everyone – whether you’re into board games, arcade games or video games.

“After the shell shock, then you’re going to go over into the play space. And there’s about 2,000 board games and card games over there and tons of tables, free to play,” Hamerly said.

There’s also an arcade, Wii and virtual reality station.

For Hamerly, who works in the garbage industry full time and has six kids, this is the place where his family, fun streak and passion for gaming come together. He welcomes those of all ages.

“My wife calls me the board game bartender, even though I don’t serve alcohol,” he said. “So it’s fun. I love seeing people and meeting new people.”

Oh, and you can shop here too.

“The retail is not like what you would find in a game store because that’s what they do,” he said. “What I do with our stuff is I find something interesting, and I’ll put it on the shelves.”

That includes items from area vendors.

“The way I look at it as if this place pays for itself or comes close to it, then that’s really it’s doing its job,” Hamerly said.

He also offers community events such as free movies, Mario Kart tournaments and fundraisers.

Hours are 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Valkyrie and the Beast

And speaking of a community that plays together, check out this newest addition to Tea: Valkyrie and the Beast, which opened in August after owner Jaymie Zoss discovered ax-throwing on vacation. She left her decadelong career in the prison system to start the business at 315 N. Heritage Parkway.

“I thought it would be fun to have a place that’s a little more small, kind of out of the way,” she said. “You don’t have to get in with the craziness of Sioux Falls to have fun on a Friday night.”

Along with three lanes for ax-throwing, there are interactive games, including giant Jenga and an antler ring toss.

Plus, there are three virtual reality rooms offering a range of games and adventures.

“You can literally go to the Grand Canyon and climb the rocks out there. It’s really cool. The scenery is amazing in virtual reality,” Zoss said.

You’ll also find a selection of popular beers, malt beverages and Strawbale Winery wine, along with snack foods such as chips, nuts and popcorn.

So what about the name? Valkyrie and the Beast? It’s a bit of a nod to Zoss and her boyfriend, Dustin White.

“I’m Norwegian, and I like my roots and the history and the Nordic mythology,” she said. “I have a big tattoo of a valkyrie on my arm. So that’s where the ‘Valkyrie’ came from and then we’re just Bigfoot fans.”

Valkyrie and the Beast is open to those 12 and older.

Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday. It’s closed Sunday but is available for private parties and events.