AngelaMerritt

The duo asked themselves what they woud like to see in an event space to create an area where everyone’s theme can speak loudly.

“Not everyone’s style is the same,” said Boes. “We wanted people to be inspired when they're in this space.”

With unique staple pieces throughout the venue, it’s still subtle yet versatile enough that guests can still make the event their own, adds Merritt.

“We’re very passionate about events and hosting, and it’s been fun to see how people make use of the venue. They’ve gotten very creative,” said Boes.

Boes expressed that through their event spaces, she and Merritt have been able to reach the community outside of their rentals.

“One of the best parts about working in the event world has been getting to know and working with all of the talented vendors in Sioux Falls,” said Boes. “We’ve been working with small businesses to see what other types of events we can bring to the community.”

As the sisters begin to transition into the event world fulltime, they share what plans they have in store for 2023. Convolo and Casetta are expanding with a larger-scale wedding venue, Monick Yards

“We’re partnering with the owners of Highball Bar, The Treasury at Hotel On Phillips, and Carpenter Bar to open a downtown venue,” said Boes.

The new 12,000-square-foot space will offer an urban experience for any occasion with an industrial ambiance and thoughtful finishes.

Monick Yards will have a capacity of up to 400 people and will be located near Convolo, on 8th Street.

Written by Alana Snyder

+ Photos by John Snyder

After seeing specialty soda shops popping up in places like Arizona and Utah (where she was visiting family), Katy Rees wanted to kick sodas up a notch in Sioux Falls.

“A gal decided that she was going to start making flavored sodas at a little drive thru in St. George, Utah and the concept took off out there,” said Katy. “So we were like, ‘Oh we’ve heard about it, let’s try it.’”

The concept came to fruition, and her business SoDak Soda Gourmet Soda Bar opened its doors early this past July in a retail center on West Trevi Place off of 85th Street. Katy says the family looked for almost a year for the right location.

More on the

Menu

SYRUPS

» Coffee

» Grenadine

» Lavender

PURÉE/CREAM

» Coconut Cream

» Vanilla Cream

» Wild Berry

SNACKS

» Cookies

Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal

Chocolate Chip, Frosted Sugar, and Snickerdoodle.

Favorites

» Dark Knight

Lemonade, peach purée, and blackberry.

» Shortcake

Sierra Mist, strawberry, and cupcake.

» Sweet & Sour

Ginger ale, green apple, and caramel.

» Wizard’s Brew

Root beer, butterscotch, and double vanilla.

“It was a combination of things, like finding something available with a drive thru (because that was really important to us), finding something that was affordable for a new business, and wanting to find a location where there would be families and a variety of population coming through,” she explained.

Patrons can go through the drive thru or go inside to choose from a variety of soda add-ins, like syrups, purée and cream, and fruit. Sodas include go-tos like Coke and Pepsi products, ginger ale, lemonade, and root beer, and come in 44 ounce, 32 ounce, 24 ounce, or 16 ounce cups.

All about the base

Not sure what to pick for an add-on?

Try choosing from the Favorites menu with over 20 options. A few include the Sweetheart with Crush soda , strawberry purée, and pineapple, and the Sunrise with Mountain Dew, orange, and vanilla.

“We created the Favorites menu along with using some favorites from other places, so we usually recommend that they start with that and then expand,” said Katy.

One of the most ordered drinks is the Abby Lou , which was named and created by Katy’s daughter.

“My daughter Abigail created the Abby Lou on the menu and she put it with Diet Coke, but she combined French vanilla and salted caramel syrups,” she recalled. “That has been one of our really popular ones.”

Abby also works at SoDak Soda part time, while Katy's son is one of the shop’s regulars.

“My son is a paying customer on a regular basis,” said Katy. “He will come through the drive thru and I won’t even know it’s him because sometimes I don’t recognize his voice on the speaker.”

" On a drive home from Yellowstone, we started talking with the kids & thought it would be so fun to start our own business.

Of course at that time we were really just talking, but then we came up with a name & we had the idea. next thing you know two years later we have a soda shop.