Oct. 4, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Set aside a little time — you’re going to want it once you see what’s new in downtown Dell Rapids.

Donna’s Downtown Giftery

A new business has opened inside a 120-year-old building.

“Basically because it came up available,” said Donna Kuper, who opened Donna’s Downtown Giftery at 416 E. Fourth St. earlier this year.

“And so I wanted to be able to really get all of my vendor-making friends and craft-making friends together so that we could really have a spot to showcase.”

Here, you’ll primarily find local handmade items of all kinds. And this time of year – a lot of seasonal merchandise.

There are more fall and Halloween items, and Christmas decor is coming in too.

“People are already Christmas shopping now, which is awesome,” Kuper said.

She said there’s a lot of camaraderie among the downtown Dell Rapids businesses, partnering on events and referring customers to one another.

“If we know a client is looking for something, especially in a gift way, giftware-type item, then if I don’t have it, I normally know of somebody that does.”

She might be sending them just across the street, where another new boutique is only weeks old.

Untamed Collective

Untamed Collective opened in September at 402 E. Fourth St.

“The first day, it was so busy in here,” co-owner Ashley Horton said. “We’ve just had a lot of support of people sharing our business and tagging their friends. So it’s been a really good, really good support.”

Horton and Micheal Stevens opened Untamed Collective largely because they can make most of the merchandise themselves.

“We’re both very crafty people. I used to own another craft-type store across the street,” Horton said. ” And so we’re just incorporating both of our tastes and styles together to have a super unique shopping style.”

You’ll find everything from candles and home decor to jewelry and apparel.

“We wanted things that you’re not going to find anywhere else,” Horton said. “So just really funny, hilarious things, but we also incorporate a little bit of your traditional gifts that you can find for people, for your friends and family.”

They’ve found they quickly have become part of the downtown business district.

“There is a huge support of our community to shop small and shop local. So there’s a really good foot traffic on main street,” Horton said. “Our quilt shop (Always Your Design) brings in a lot of people from out of town. So there’s just a lot of things, and then we have some interesting food choices here too. That brings a lot of people in as well. ”

Pinz

And speaking of places to eat, you’ll find the food is just part of the fun at Pinz, a recently renovated, locally owned bowling alley with a big menu too.

“Our whole business atmosphere and everything we want to create for this place is all about families,” said Steph Schmidt, who bought the business at 320 E. Fourth St. with her husband, Jordan, in 2019.

Kids can have fun, families can grab a meal, or adults can socialize with the setup the new owners began creating right before the pandemic.

“We have bumpers available on any lane,” Schmidt said. “We do have two ramps available too. If you had like a 2-year-old that wanted to get up there and push the ball down, they can do that too. And (we have) cosmic bowling, two sessions of that, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. on Saturday nights.”

Plus, there’s an arcade with classic favorites from shuffleboard bowling to pinball and prize crane.

“Our first six months of business, it was crazy in here. It was nuts. It was exactly what we wanted,” Schmidt said. “Of course, fighting through COVID took a little hit, but we’re back up, we’ve done some more remodeling, updated things, trying to help the business flow better because, of course, we are a bowling alley, but we do serve food too.”

And the food definitely is worth a trip here. Pinz just expanded its menu and offers signature burgers, breakfast on weekends and a variety of sandwiches and entrees.

“We offer salads, grilled chicken, crispy chicken. We offer wraps, quite a few appetizers. I think our kids’ meal is a wide variety from mac-and-cheese to chicken ships to mini corn dogs. Most kids can find something that they’ll eat,” Schmidt said.

And most days, you’ll find plenty of kids here.

“The town needed something, something so bad, something for family, something for kids to do. And we have kids that come down after school. They ride their bikes down, they bowl a couple of games, get some cheese balls, and then they go home, and it’s so good to see that.”

What else is new

The Cotton Tree Boutique just opened at 426 E. Fourth St.

It’s owned by Kathy Goodale and daughters Nikki Ploeger and Brittany Goodale. The boutique carries women’s apparel and accessories. The goal is to carry merchandise for all ages and sizes. After opening online in May, they decided Dell Rapids was the perfect spot for a storefront.

“The community has been so wonderful, and we are so grateful to be in Dells and for all the support,” they said. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Terry Rose Floral Market opened earlier this year at 406 E. Fourth St. carrying home decor, gifts, wine and beer in addition to floral arrangements. Fall hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Upcoming events

Dell Rapids hosts an annual trick-or-treat event as well as a holiday one. Keep watching for more details!