Feb. 5, 2024

Flyboy Donuts is planning a new flagship store at Empire Place — the latest in a series of businesses to open in the retail centers in front of The Empire Mall.

“We had been looking at the space almost immediately after it was built,” owner Ben Duenwald said.

“We have always kept our eyes open throughout the years and feel this is the right place and time to open a fifth location.”

The hope is to make the space “our flagship store,” he continued, adding the goal is to “make this location feel like a nostalgic doughnut parlor of the past.”

The cozy design will incorporate the shop’s aviation theme with “a few surprises aviation enthusiasts will love,” he said.

As Empire Place has increased in popularity, it became clear there was a fit for doughnuts and locally roasted Flyboy Coffee, Duenwald said.

“It’s a very diverse mix of tenants with lots of variety and high-quality products,” he said.

“We feel our brand fits well in the space. The area seems to be the shopping mecca of the region, and we want to attract all of the visitors that shop in Sioux Falls, as well as the service people working in the central area of Sioux Falls.”

The plan is to open in May in a space on the west end of the building that includes Smoothie King.

“This site will offer Flyboy Donuts to a broader out-of-town customer base visiting Sioux Falls who may not always frequent other parts of the city,” said Ryan Tysdal of Van Buskirk Cos., who represents Flyboy Donuts.

“Raquel (Blount) and her entire team have done a fantastic job executing this exciting new development in arguably one of the strongest retail locations in South Dakota. We are excited to have Flyboy Donuts be a part of it.”

The Flyboy lease, plus another deal in process, would leave only two spaces available, said Blount of Lloyd Cos., who represents Empire Place.

“It’s gone really well,” she said. “We’re hearing great feedback from the tenants, and there will still be some landscaping added to the development, including space for outdoor seating.”

The two remaining spaces are between recently opened tenants Drybar and Hawaii Fluid Art.

Drybar, a national salon specializing in blowouts, is franchised by Robin Zebroski and her husband, Melvin. Her sister, Keri Casteel, is the regional manager overseeing what will be four locations: two in Sioux Falls, one in Rapid City and one in Billings, Montana.

“The people that are coming in love it, so we’re just building the business,” Zebroski said, adding there has been some education to do around what a blowout entails.

“You come in, you get a great wash, treatment, a round brush blowout, awesome style, and you just leave with a bounce in your step and more confidence. People just love the experience.”

Services take between a half-hour and an hour depending on if you do a dry style or get a wash. There are wash bowl treatments for different hair needs such as deep conditioning and thickening.

“We’ve seen more walk-ins, which is awesome,” Zebroski said. “We love the location, and it feels like every store coming in is boosting the clientele.”

Hours for Drybar are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

In the same retail center, Hawaii Fluid Art opened at the end of 2023. It’s being franchised locally by John and Vicki DeWitte of Mitchell and being managed by their daughter, Whitney Letcher of Sioux Falls.

“It’s going pretty good. … We have a lot of people who drive by and pop in because they see something new,” Vicki DeWitte said. “There’s no artistic ability needed. … You wouldn’t know a kid (project) from an adult.”

The location also has a retail area of gift and decor items and accessories.

“We have a big variety, and we try to cover a little bit of everything for men, women and kids,” DeWitte said.

In the art studio, customers can sign up for classes and do walk-in sessions to make their own poured acrylic-paint art on canvas. The typical experience takes about an hour.

“We are getting groups booked,” DeWitte said. “We’ve had work groups of co-workers, girls’ night people, birthday parties, so group bookings are really picking up. It’s a mix of people booking and walking in.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

There also are daily specials Monday through Thursday through March 31, offering discounts on canvases, tumblers and resin upgrades, plus an offer for one free child canvas when an adult paints one.