19 August 2024
It’s only a matter of days before shoppers can visit downtown’s newest mall, the Steel District.
Pasque Boutique and Alcove, a museum shop at the Washington Pavilion, plan to open August 30 on the ground floor of the building, which will include apartments, condominiums and a parking ramp.
“I’m very excited about the area,” said Alicia Engelking, who is expanding Pasque Boutique from e-commerce to a retail store.
“I think there’s a lot of excitement about this project, and once everything’s up and running and the riverfront is complete, I think it’s going to be a great place to spend time and experience downtown Sioux Falls.”
Engelking opened a pop-up shop above her space in conjunction with an open house for The District Lofts, and “it went really well and we got great feedback,” she said.
At almost 157 square meters, the boutique is a bright, friendly space and sizes XS to 3X are available.
“We will create a mix of work and leisure wear, with the working woman in mind,” said Engelking.
Alcove, operated by Washington Pavilion Management Inc., is also refining its merchandise offerings to include a wide range of artwork, traditional museum store products such as STEAM-related gifts and games, as well as decorative items and handcrafted jewelry.
“I think people can be excited to see different things that they can’t find in Sioux Falls, but that they might see in the MOMA Design Store,” said retail operations manager Meghan Knight.
“I think we’ve stayed pretty true to our vision all along. It’s meant to create a connection to the museum and show things that you can’t find anywhere else and that have to do with art or science.”
Alcove will also sell local and regional art, with rotating pieces, galleries and events. Guests can purchase beer, wine or cocktails during their visit at special events, and daily visits may offer complimentary beverages such as water, coffee or prosecco.
“It’s kind of a combination of art galleries themselves and different museum and design shops that we’ve seen to blend the two,” said Knight, who most recently worked in the bridal industry for seven years. “We take inspiration from other places we’ve been to, like design shops and museum shops.”
The store is hiring full-time and part-time employees. Click here to learn more.
In total, the building still has approximately 5,700 square meters available for additional retail, which can be subdivided.
“We can be flexible,” said Raquel Blount of Lloyd Cos., which has listed the property. “We would like to have a hair salon, spa, nail salon and personal services because so many people live and work in the area. The apartments, offices and hotel will include several thousand people.”
The other tenant under contract for the ground floor is Jack Rose Social Club, the second location of the recently renamed bar and restaurant, whose original location was at the corner of 69th Street and Western Avenue.
While the space is still being built out, here’s a glimpse of what it will look like:
“It’s going to be a cool project and we’re excited,” said General Manager Vinnie Olson. “We’re still hoping to get it started early this year.”
Starting next summer, guests will be able to sit on the patio and watch concerts at Levitt at the Falls, he said.
The menu will be “very similar” to the original Jack Rose Social Club, which “was great,” he said. “The rebranding went well.”
Restaurants in the Twin Cities are about to open
In the adjacent office tower, three restaurants owned by Twin Cities-based restaurateur Josh Thoma are preparing to open in the coming weeks.
Big Sioux Burger and the newly renamed Dahlia, which will focus on modern Mexican cuisine and tequilas, plan to open by the end of September.
Ironwood, a modern steakhouse, is scheduled to follow later this year.
Christopher Wise, a restaurant veteran from Atlanta, moved to Sioux Falls to oversee all three restaurants.
“They’ve painted a picture of how the state is growing and how there should be exceptional restaurants,” he said. “I’m used to high standards in Atlanta and accolades, and that’s what we want to push. We want a great atmosphere and nice places for people to come and a very homey environment.”
At Big Sioux Burger, the concept is similar to chef-owner Nick O’Leary’s Burger Dive, with a dive bar atmosphere, ground meats and a unique blend of spices and seasonings, and a full breakfast menu.
“It’s going to be a fantastic venue and a great place to watch a game or relax and look at the river,” Wise said.
Dahlia will be “like nothing you’ve ever seen here,” he continued.
Named after Mexico’s national flower, expect a colorful ambiance with a mix of “matte and shine.” An illuminated wall of tequila bottles will be visible from the outside and there will be several private dining rooms.
“We hired a fantastic, very authentic chef,” Wise added. “That’s the best part.”
Ironwood “will be a pure service and culinary dream,” he continued.
Think chandeliers, white tablecloths and a two-story floor plan that offers expansive views of Falls Park.
Wise estimates he will need more than 175 employees and has already begun building his leadership team.
“Everything is still going according to plan, 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 these spaces and make them look the way you envisioned.”
