Aug. 14, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

From a classic downtown main street to a new outdoor adventure along the Big Sioux River, you’ll find many new places to check out with a quick trip to Dell Rapids.

The Meeting Nook

Some new residents in Dell Rapids already are making their mark on downtown with this storefront that has become a community gathering place.

Paul and Desiree Osborne moved to South Dakota in 2021 from Michigan and first needed a location for their tea business. It led to leasing space at 412 E. Fourth St. in Dell Rapids for what became The Meeting Nook.

Here, they sell custom-blended herbal remedies and teas, along with a menu of prepared herbal and bubble teas, flavored lemonades and fusions.

Signature drinks include plant-based Lotus energy drinks and lattes made with their teas.

“They’re just delicious — hot or iced,” Desiree Osborne said.

Frances Larson Photography 

And don’t miss the signature bubble waffles – with an expanded menu to come.

Frances Larson Photography 

The Meeting Nook recently started monthly afternoon tea events. The next one is scheduled for Saturday.

“Everyone comes in, they can dress up, and they get unlimited teas and a three-tiered tray of delicious treats and sandwiches,” Osborne said.

The space also has become a popular place to meet up with friends, relax or host a wide range of meetings and events. There’s a television and lots of free games to play.

“Just a good overall fun experience here at The Meeting Nook where you can play games, have the drinks, the treats and sit down and have a good time,” Osborne said.

Hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

And they’re not done yet. They’re also working on another business in downtown Dell Rapids — The Fun Nook — offering glow-in-the-dark miniature golf, arcade games and other activities, with plans to open this fall.

The Local 

Two owners who already have had small-business success in downtown Dell Rapids have opened a second storefront.

The Local opened in August from owners and makers Alice McGinnis and Chris Reiff.

“We wanted to create an open space and more of a shopping experience rather than coming in and searching through booths and looking for things,” McGinnis said. “This kind of just gives everybody an open view as to what we have.”

And they have a lot. The Local at 503 E. Fourth St. features locally made work from 30 makers from Dell Rapids and about a 100-mile radius around the town.

“We have  bath and body products, we have purses and bags, we have textiles, pillows, throws rugs,” McGinnis said.

The store also adds food and flowers for special events.

“I would say it’s definitely worth the trip,” McGinnis said. “I live in Sioux Falls myself. It’s an easy trip to Dell Rapids. It’s a quieter experience of shopping. When people come in here and visit with us, we usually encourage them to go and check out the other stores on main street in Dells, too, because there’s a lot of other shopping places up in Dells.”

The Local builds on their first store next door, called The Shoppe, which is open monthly featuring refurbished and curated home decor. Click here for monthly hours.

“We love Dell Rapids, and Dell Rapids loves us,” McGinnis said. “It has been a great response.”

Natural face rock climbing

And finally, get an entirely different view of Dell Rapids with a new addition in partnership with the Great Plains Climbing Coalition.

The nonprofit offered to install permanent anchors along the dells of the Big Sioux River and paint them to match the quartzite.

“They said, ‘You won’t even tell they’re there.’ And then, people can come bring their own ropes and equipment and enjoy the day in Dell Rapids right along the river,” community development director Sheldon Jensen said. 

This now is one of the only places in the area offering natural face rock climbing, drawing climbers from as far as Omaha and the Twin Cities.

“There’s difficult that’s on the higher end of difficulty for some of the routes, but then some are more accessible,” Jensen said. “There’s also bouldering opportunities if you don’t have rope, so there’s ways for people to get involved.”

Climbing is available in what’s called the Community Cove not far from the area’s scenic overlook off Dells Drive along the Big Sioux River, whenever the park is available for use.

You’ll also find plenty of areas for kayaking and enjoying the natural setting, along with more than 4 miles of bike trail through town.

“Dells or Dell Rapids is named after the dells of the Big Sioux, which means the Big Sioux River cuts right through town,” Jensen said. “And the quartzite rock faces create beautiful opportunities for parks.”