4 minute read
More Men’s Apparel in Downtown Aberdeen
On October 3 last year, Julie Fischbach opened The Finery on Main.
“The opportunity came to me, and after a lot of soul-searching, praying, and lots of hard work, I decided to go for it,” Julie said. “We’re a communitycentric business and want to be a welcoming environment to all.”
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The Finery specializes in men’s apparel and home decor, but they also have accessories like permanent jewelry available. New products cycle through the store regularly, so there is something for every type of customer.
“I thought men didn’t shop as much as women,” Julie laughed. “But I’ve been proven wrong. It’s great to see everyone stop by.”
Julie, who also owns Mainstream Boutique, is happy to be working downtown.
“Everyone is working together to make this place a success,” Julie said. “The store has already exceeded expectations. All of us are happy with how things have come together.”
// —Annie Scott
New Business
Dunn Brothers Coffee Comes to Aberdeen
Looking for your next caffeine fix? Dunn Brothers
Coffee is now open in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen location, which opened right before Thanksgiving last year, is the fourth Dunn Brothers Coffee to come to South Dakota.
“We roast all our beans in-house in six pound batches,” said General Manager Madison McNickle. “It
makes a big difference in the quality of the coffee.”
For more information, call 605-262-0409 or visit their Facebook page The Finery on Main.
Along with its coffee options, Dunn Brothers Coffee also offers a variety of fresh meals, and customers can purchase their own coffee beans to brew at home. There is also a five-day freshness guarantee on all of their products.
Dunn Brothers Coffee is located at 2020 8th Ave NE Suite 1 and is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day. // —Annie Scott For more information, call 605-725-2767.
Relocated
Hub City Axe Throwing Moves Downtown
Hub City Axe Throwing has a new location. In October 2022, they moved from their Uptown Aberdeen Mall location and are now located downtown.
Amanda and Ryan Perrion opened Hub City Axe Throwing in November 2020.
“During COVID, we were looking for something to do,” Amanda said. “We built an axe throwing target in our backyard. We wanted to participate in some leagues, but there weren’t any around. So we opened this business and made our own.”
Hub City Axe Throwing hosts their own league four times a year. The new location allowed them to open two additional targets, as well as other activities like pool and darts. Their hours have been expanded as well.
// —Annie Scott
For more information, visit www.hubcityaxethrowing.com.
New Blood Donation Center Keeps Blood Local
LifeServe Blood Center has been serving Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota for 75 years, and their newest branch is opening here in Aberdeen. Originally based out of the Sioux City area, LifeServe Blood Center also has locations in Mitchell and Yankton.
This volunteer-run blood donor site keeps donated blood local. Every donation is processed in-house and then distributed to Avera St. Luke’s Hospital.
“By working with Avera St. Luke’s, we can ensure that donations go to help those in Aberdeen who may need blood,” said PR & Marketing Coordinator Kyle Charles.
LifeServe Blood Center is scheduled to open late February of this year. // —Annie Scott For more information, visit lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 1-800-287-4903.
Arts
Aberdeen Area Arts Council Names New Executive Director
On October 18 last year, Steve Thithavong became the new Executive Director of the Aberdeen Area Arts Council (AAAC). He had previously served on the AAAC’s Board in 2021.
“When I saw the Art Council’s posting for this position, I had my reservations on applying,” Steve shared. “However, I’ve done art my whole life. It’s what I love, it’s what I do, and it has always been a part of me. I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity.”
In addition to serving on the board, Steve’s prior work experience with social services, a corporate paralegal, and banking institutions have given him valuable insight on how to help grow and enrich current programs of the AAAC.
“The former Executive Director, Stacy Braun, and the Art Council’s Board have been of great assistance to me as I am learning and adapting to this new role,” Steve expressed. “I see a lot of potential in the local art scene of the Aberdeen region, and have many ideas and experiences that I am excited to share with the community.” // —Annie
Scott
Then – A wintery view looking south down Main Street – Nicholas A. Brothers came to Aberdeen in the early 1900s. The city contracted with him to take panoramic shots or “birdseye” pictures of the city from high elevations. This was taken atop of the Citizens Building on Second Avenue and Main Street. The large building on the left edge is the massive Sherman Hotel at Third Avenue and Main. Towards the center, you can see our 1904 Federal Courthouse at the corner of Fourth and Main Street. It was at this corner that the trolley cars turned on or off Main Street to jog over to Lincoln Street and carry on to Northern Normal (NSU) to the south or continue three blocks north on Main. In 1976, descendants of photographer N.A. Brothers donated just over 50 photos of Aberdeen dating from 1909 to 1927 to the Dacotah Prairie Museum, many of this vintage. This Brothers image, however, came from the Library of Congress and is dated 1912. If you look very closely, you can see the Administration Building at Northern immediately left of the church tower. // —Troy McQuillen
Now – Same view, same cold winter – N.A. Brothers stood on or “in” the rooftop garden atop the Citizens Building when taking the previous photo. The garden is long gone but the view is the same. Actually, not much is the same in terms of buildings. The iconic Methodist church is the anchor for this south-looking photo as so much has changed from 1912 to 2022. We have added the Capital Theatre, the Sherman has been replaced with an apartment building, Revive Day Spa (originally J.C. Penney) dominates the corner of Third and Main, and we now have a water tower. Everyone always comments how older pictures make Main Street look so much wider. Only the configuration of sidewalks, parking spots, and travel lanes have changed; not to mention the addition of a lot of trees. The Citizens Building is undergoing a major restoration and remodel. Rumor has it that a rooftop venue could reappear. It will not be very popular in the winter, however. Thanks to Spencer Sommers of CO-OP Architecture for providing access to the roof to recreate N.A. Brothers’ birdseye photo. // —Troy McQuillen