It’s down to a matter of days before shoppers can begin visiting downtown’s newest retail area at The Steel District.
Pasque Boutique and Alcove, a museum store from the Washington Pavilion, plan to open Aug. 30 inside the first-floor space of the building with apartments, condominiums and a parking ramp.
“I am very excited abut the area,” said Alicia Engelking, who is expanding Pasque Boutique from e-commerce into a storefront.
“I think there’s a lot of excitement about the development, and once everything is up and running and the riverfront is done, I think it will be an excellent space to go spend time and experience downtown Sioux Falls.”
Engelking did a pop-up shop in conjunction with an open house for The District Lofts above her space, and “it went really well, and we got great feedback,” she said.
At just under 1,700 square feet, the boutique is a light, bright space carrying sizes XS through 3X.
“We’re going to do a mix of workwear and weekend wear, kind of looking at a professional woman,” Engelking said.
Alcove, which will be operated by Washington Pavilion Management Inc., also is honing its merchandise mix with a wide range of artwork, traditional museum store products like STEAM-related gifts and games, as well as decor and handcrafted jewelry.
“I think people can be excited about seeing different things that they won’t be able to find in Sioux Falls but that you would maybe see at the MOMA Design store,” retail operations manager Meghan Knight said.
“I think we’ve stayed pretty on track with what our vision has been the whole time with it being relatable to the museum and bringing in things you won’t be able to find anywhere else that are art or science-related items.”
Alcove also will sell local and regional art, with rotating pieces, galleries and events. Guests will be able to purchase beer, wine or cocktails during their visit at special events, and complimentary beverages such as water, coffee or prosecco might be offered during day-to-day visits.
“It’s kind of taking a combination of art galleries themselves and different museum stores and design stores we’ve seen to merge the two,” said Knight, who most recently worked in the bridal industry for seven years. “We’re taking inspiration from other spaces we’ve been to, like design stores and museum stores.”
The store is hiring for full-time and part-time positions. Click here to learn more.
There is about 5,700 total square feet left for additional retail in the building, which can be subdivided.
“We can be flexible,” said Raquel Blount of Lloyd Cos., who has it listed. “We’d love a salon, spa, nail salon, personal services, because there are so many people living and working in the area. There’s going to be several thousand between the apartments, offices and hotel.”
The other signed tenant for the first floor is Jack Rose Social Club, and it will be a second location for the recently rebranded bar and restaurant, with its original location at 69th Street and Western Avenue.
While the space is still being built out, here’s a sense for how it will look:
“It’s going to be a cool project, and we’re excited,” general manager Vinnie Olson said. “We’re still hoping first of the year.”
By next summer, guests will be able to sit on the patio there and watch concerts at Levitt at the Falls, he said.
The menu will be “very similar” to the original Jack Rose Social Club, which “has been great,” he said. “The rebranding went well.”
Twin Cities-Based Restaurants Near Opening
In the adjacent office tower, three restaurants from Twin Cities-based restaurateur Josh Thoma are getting ready to open in the coming weeks.
Big Sioux Burger and the newly renamed Dahlia, which will focus on contemporary Mexican cuisine and tequilas, are planning to open by the end of September.
Ironwood, a contemporary steakhouse, is scheduled to follow later this year.
Christopher Wise, a restaurant industry veteran from Atlanta, relocated to Sioux Falls to oversee all three restaurants.
“They painted a picture about growing in the state and wanting exceptional restaurants,” he said. “I’m used to high standards in Atlanta and winning awards, and that’s what we’re pushing. We want a great atmosphere and beautiful locations for people to come and a very homey environment.”
At Big Sioux Burger, the concept is similar to Burger Dive from chef and owner Nick O’Leary. It’s designed to have a dive-bar feel with meat ground on-site with a unique blend of seasoning and spices, plus a full breakfast menu.
“It’s going to be an amazing spot and a great place to watch a game or relax and look at the river,” Wise said.
Dahlia will be “like nothing you’ve seen around here,” he continued.
Named for Mexico’s national flower, expect it to be colorful and a blend of “grit and glitz.” A lighted wall of tequila bottles will be visible from outside, and there will be multiple private dining spaces.
“We hired an amazing, very authentic chef,” Wise added. “That’s the best part.”
Ironwood is “going to be sheer service and a culinary dream piece,” he continued.
Think chandeliers, white tablecloths and a two-story floor plan that includes expansive views of Falls Park.
Wise estimates he will need more than 175 employees and has started building his leadership team.
“Everything is still on schedule, which is rare for a restaurant,” Thoma said. “It’s exciting. There’s a lot going on. It’s always incredible to see lines on paper and then be able to walk around and through those spaces and have them mimic what you thought they were going to look like.”