Dec. 8, 2021

Two sisters are opening a small-scale event space in downtown Sioux Falls.

Amy Boes and Angela Merritt are turning part of the historic Stockman’s Exchange Bank building at Eighth Street and Weber Avenue into Convolo.

“It represents ‘to flock together,’ which is what it means in Latin, so ideas coming together in a small, intimate space,” Boes said. “We’ve got a little underlying bird theme. We’ve got bird wallpaper in the bathrooms. It will be a subtle nod to flocking together.”

Convolo can be rented for self-hosted events such as bridal and baby showers, business gatherings and small weddings, Boes said. The space most recently was the “speak-easy” part of Books n Brewz Pizzeria, which closed in April, and the small stage that was used for live music can be used for wedding ceremonies, business presentations or seating for the guests of honor, she said.

The space, which is filled with natural light, can hold up to 95 people and seat 60. Tables and chairs are included in the rental.

Convolo also has a room on the second floor that will serve as a bridal suite or a breakout space for a business gathering.

People who rent the venue will be able to use the caterer of their choice, Boes said. Eventually, that could include a restaurant in the other part of the first floor that houses the former pizzeria’s wood-fired oven.

The idea for the business came after Boes, who was the site manager for a similar space in Minneapolis, moved back to Sioux Falls and was looking for a venue to rent.

“I actually was looking for a space to host my husband’s party, his 30th birthday party, and then our Christmas gathering, and there really wasn’t a whole lot out there,” she said. “So that’s when we were … like ‘OK, let’s get something.’ Downtown Sioux Falls was awesome to have a location for because hopefully things are starting to trend toward this way across the railroad tracks.”

The sisters, who plan to keep their full-time jobs, will host their own event at Convolo on Dec. 18 and are taking bookings for dates after that. They’re wrapping up the renovation and have painted everything brighter, refinished the wood floor, added new quartz countertops and changed the light fixtures. Once everything is completed, they’ll have a professional photographer take images, which people will be able to see on Convolo’s website.

“We are excited about the building,” Boes said. “It’s a very historic building, so we’re trying to keep some of the charm, but we’ve definitely put a lot of renovations in to make it a little more of an inspirational space.”