Sioux Falls business named friendliest in the U.S.
March 16, 2026
A downtown Sioux Falls retailer has been named the friendliest small business in the nation.
MatchBox Candle Co. earned the No. 1 spot in a ranking by Advance Funds Network, a direct business loan lender.
The firm analyzed 3,104 consumer responses and cross-referenced them with Google review scores to uncover “which businesses feel genuinely welcoming,” it said.
“MatchBox Candle Co. has that warm, inviting glow you can only get from a place where everything is crafted with care. The staff is enthusiastic, scent-savvy and genuinely helpful — guiding shoppers through fragrances, gifting ideas and custom pours with easy smiles. Even when the store fills with weekend browsers, the vibe stays calm and personal. It’s Sioux Falls coziness delivered with friendly, fragrance-loving charm.”
Sioux Falls native Jeremy Nosbush and his partner, Tyler Pate, opened the business at 124 S. Phillips Ave. in 2022. It began in Colorado and specializes in 100 percent soy wax candles.
“We love being in downtown Sioux Falls,” Nosbush said. “We’re incredibly honored to be recognized as one of the friendliest small businesses in the country.”
MatchBox Candle Co. started as a passion project making candles for friends and family, “so seeing it grow into something people across the country recognize for its warmth means a lot to us,” he added.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to create more than just great candles — we want every person who walks into our stores to feel welcomed, relaxed and part of the community. This recognition really belongs to our amazing team and the customers who support us every day.”
