March 25, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

One visit to Garretson convinced Allison Neukirchen and her husband that they’d found their next home.

They moved from Washington state in 2023 “and fell in love with the area,” she said. “We were blessed to move here then and have made many friends here in town and the surrounding area.”

With a degree in health services and a background as an EMT, Neukirchen was introduced to massage therapy after her mother had back surgery.

“I discovered that massage was a critical part of her recovery, and I wanted to be able to help her and others going through the same process,” she said, earning her massage therapy license in 2016 and advanced medical massage certification in 2021.

“I have a true passion for massage therapy and the ability to help break pain patterns so that my patients can live their life free of the burden that pain creates,” she said. “I watched my family carry that burden for years. My goal is to eliminate it for as many as I possibly can.”

Neukirchen is now the owner of Pasque Medical Massage, which began in her home in late 2024 while she worked at another location in Sioux Falls. Earlier this year, after three months of prenatal leave, she opened her first commercial location at 637 N. Main Ave. in Garretson and now works in her practice full time.

“I have always wanted to open my own practice to be able to offer massage without limitations,” she said. “My business offers massage therapy, specifically medical massage. To me, this means that my patients are able to have access to all massage skills that I have learned over years. I do not charge extra for deep tissue, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage or any other style that I have been certified in.”

Her business motto is “Break Patterns of Pain to Live Your Life to the Fullest.”

“The niche that I am trying to fill is medical massage for anyone who needs massage for a specific medical condition,” Neukirchen said. “I want to help anyone who is dealing with pain reduce it and live their fullest life.”

Because Garretson welcomed the couple as newcomers, “I wanted to keep my business local,” she added.

“I built my practice here from the start, and I wanted to continue working in Garretson and hopefully bring more business to other businesses in town. The community has welcomed my business with open arms. I have received support from the Garretson Commercial Club, the Garretson Gazette, the city itself. I do not think that I could find a more supportive town than I have found in Garretson.”

Samantha Westly has had the same positive experience since opening Day Salon earlier this year.

A Pipestone, Minnesota, native, she grew up on an acreage and turned her love of art and crafting into a cosmetology career. A mother of three, she and her husband lived in Sioux Falls until last year. She worked for a national hair salon for six years before putting one in her home.

“We always talked about raising kids in a small town like how we grew up,” Westly said. “Garretson is closer to our parents and families. We’re in a quite neighborhood and can see a lot of adventures here.”

The house at 921 Elvira Drive “has the perfect space for the salon, so I can work but be home with our youngest two as well,” Westly said.

She has kept clients from Sioux Falls and added some from Garretson, offering colors, cuts, facial waxing and hair styling for special events.

“I’ve gotten good feedback,” she said. “I think the town is happy to add a new business.”

Garretson has plenty of potential for more, said Chris Fields, who supports the community’s economic development through Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

In addition to Westly and Neukirchen, Zabdi Auto Sales opened this year at 508 S. Depot Ave., offering pre-owned vehicles and servicing.

“There is a new brood of young entrepreneurs in Garretson ready to and already making their mark on the community,” Fields said. “There’s ample opportunity for business in Garretson, both new business and growing well-established businesses.”

Garretson is one of four communities that uses enhanced, contracted economic development services through Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. Through that model, Fields serves as a part-time staff person to administer economic development initiatives.

“We’ve had about 20 months now to establish a good rhythm and dive deep into economic development there, and in that short time, we’ve been successful,” he said.

“We’ve been able to generate activity on some lots in their industrial park, secure an access permit off Highway 11 to build a road into the adjacent industrial park and start the process to apply for grants to help build that road as well as install other infrastructure in the industrial park.”

The community also has launched a Main Avenue Revitalization Initiative to revitalize Main Avenue and downtown, teamed up with DGR Engineering on a proposed housing development south of town and anticipates another housing development will break ground this year on the northeast side of Garretson.

It all promotes additional business activity, Fields said.

“We have 3 acres left in our industrial park we’re hoping to sell this year, and we’ll be searching for our next industrial park so we can continue to bring industry to Garretson,” he said. “In the meantime, I see good fits here for any retail, professional services such as attorneys and medical, plus restaurants like a steakhouse or even a brewery or winery. There are many people in town who would love to support local businesses instead of leaving town for what they need.”

On the industry side, “Garretson is always open to manufacturing, value-added ag, packaging and industries that will create long-standing jobs,” he added.

The community also is committed to downtown revitalization. A nearly 10,000-square-foot historic building is for sale on Main Avenue “with a ton of potential,” Fields said. “We have a few spots available on Main Avenue, and we’re hopeful a new build is coming soon too. Plus, we’re always looking for the next opportune area for commercial development.”

He sees significant potential along Split Rock Creek.

“We have this gorgeous waterway running right through town, which is one of our strengths, so why not capitalize on what’s already here?” he said. “I’m not sure what exactly that looks like, but I know there are some pretty innovative people in this region and in the Garretson community.”

The natural landscape is a key driver for residents and visitors, he added. Garretson is known as the City of Parks.

“Nature is king in Garretson with Palisades State Park being right down the street, and Devils Gulch and Split Rock Park right in the heart of Garretson,” Fields said.

“We’ve got hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, trails, camping – you name it. The city recently entered into a relationship with a kayak rental company, and they’ve made it incredibly easy to go down to Split Rock Park and rent a kayak for the day during season.”

Another company gives pontoon rides in the summer and shares the lore of Jesse James during the tours.

“There is just so much potential in Garretson when you consider housing developments, our downtown and revitalization initiative, job-creating industries and our parks and recreation,” Fields said. “It truly is a premier place to live, work and raise a family, and now is a perfect time to come check it out, whether you’re thinking about moving or just visiting.”

To learn more about opportunities in Garretson, contact Chris Fields at chrisf@siouxmetro.com.