BUZZ

The Former Shopko Building was purchased by Americo Real Estate Co. earlier this year.

From Shopko to Storage

The 66,749 square foot building has remained vacant since early 2019 when previous occupant Shopko filed for bankruptcy and closed all locations across the country. The 500 North U.S. Highway 281 location has been purchased by Amerco Real Estate Co. It is a commercial real estate company based out of Phoenix, Arizona that specializes in real estate and developmental services with U-Haul. The real estate company has requested a building and zoning change with a special exception for the open storage of rental trucks, trailers, and other vehicles associated with moving and storage. An opening date has yet to be confirmed for the new business. // — Karlie Spiry “Mrs. Education” To Be Inducted Glenna Fouberg, retired educator and former member and president of the State Board of Education will be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame for her efforts and commitment to education. For years, Glenna focused on helping and encouraging students on the margins of the education system in South Dakota. One of the most notable aspects of Glenna’s career is her work with the Alternative Learning Center in Aberdeen. She expanded the center to include middle school, the New Beginnings Center, and the Detention Center. The induction ceremony will take place on September 11-12, 2020 in Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD. // — Karlie Spiry or by calling 605-234-4216. Sales Tax Is Up With the pandemic affecting so much of our community, the question remains: how has the Aberdeen economy faired? City Finance Officer Karl Alberts reported back in April that we are still early in the game for 2020. The pattern of sales in Aberdeen has taken an interesting turn in 2020. Starting in December, sales were up 6.7% and then fell 4.6% in

Missing Pet? Check Facebook

Social media is a great way to connect to family and friends, but it’s also extremely helpful in locating lost pets in the Aberdeen Area. Missing Pets of Aberdeen, SD is a Facebook group that allows for people to post pictures of pets who may have wandered away from home. The page also offers tips and advice on general pet welfare. With over 6,000 members, this group is extremely helpful in locating the owners of lost pets. The group is public, so anyone on Facebook can join and help people reunite

 Tickets for the ceremony are on sale at the Hall of Fame’s website at sdexcellence.org with their missing pets. // — Karlie Spiry

Glenna Fouberg earned Teacher of Year in 1994 and served 19 years on the South Dakota State Board of Education, of which

she served four years as president. January. February saw a slight increase in sales of just 0.4% and then saw a huge leap in March with a 21.1% increase. April’s sales numbers were announced in early June and were positive at 19.3%. Numbers for May and June won't be available until after publication of this issue. Social distancing restrictions put a halt to social life and non-essential businesses in Aberdeen, but the renewed spirit of shopping local has helped the Aberdeen economy stay afloat. // — Karlie Spiry

Dominka Blum and her husband John pose with Limitless Success with

Blum Writes Inspirational Book

Aberdeen resident Dominika Blum co-authored

Limitless Success with Dominika Blum with 47 different authors who have traveled the world, seeking the keys to a happier life. “For most of my life, I have always wanted to write a book. I thought I had a story to tell that would inspire people,” says Dominika. The book centers around achieving goals through each author’s own personal struggles. For Dominika, a Polish immigrant who moved to the U.S. when she was a child, she believes that “By aligning our actions with our intentions, we can make our dreams come true” (from Limitless Success with Dominika Blum). // — Karlie Spiry  To order your copy of the book, go to Amazon and search for Limitless Success with Dominika Blum.

Joe Gaa stands in front of historic City Hall as Aberdeen’s new City Manager.

Gaa Hired as City Manager

The search ended for a new city manager of Aberdeen in early May when Joe Gaa of Dickinson, ND was selected for the position. Joe, who’s been a city manager in several other towns around the nation, including Dickinson, started the job in Aberdeen on June 22. He says he hopes “to continue the momentum because city staff is doing a great job.” Joe also plans to support the creative spirit of the business community in Hub City, and to find ways to help it grow the local economy. “I always strive to improve the quality of life in Dominika Blum. Photo by Monica Burgeson

the city I work and live in,” he says. Welcome to Hub City, Joe! // — Karlie Spiry

The New Biz’ in Town

Comm Tech is a business that specializes in a lot of different technological services for commercial, agricultural, and residential areas. Originally based out of Pierre with other service locations in Mitchell and Rapid City, the Aberdeen location opened in June. Comm Tech provides services in network communication, running cables and fibers in buildings, telecommunications, security, audio, and video to name just a few. The new business also offers a showroom for customers to experiences DIYs in installing TVs, using printers, and installing security and surveillance cameras. Comm Tech is located at 1715 Sixth Avenue Southeast. // — Karlie Spiry

Roy Lake Resort Purchased by State

Many families in Northeastern South Dakota hold dear memories of Roy Lake Resort near to their hearts. The popular family destination was purchased by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks on March 2 from long time owner Jan Pitzel. The Roy Lake State Park district office began managing the resort back in March. All previous reservations for this year are still being honored by the resort. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks District Director Scott Simpson said, “We will strive to offer many of the same services, modified watercraft rentals, convenience store and bait sales. However, on-water gas sales will be discontinued.” Reservations are available through www.campsd.com, or by phone at 1.800.710.CAMP as units become available. // — Karlie Spiry

K9 Officers Neko (left) and Dex, along with their handlers Officers Tom Barstad and Jarrod Zaruba are always ready to stop crime.

Four-Legged Crime Fighters

K-9 Officers Dex and Neko have been working hard this year in fighting crime in Aberdeen! As heroes for all dogs in the Hub City to look up to, their exemplary career in community service is something to celebrate. Whether they are out patrolling around town or assisting in investigative work, these crime fighting canines are always at the top of their game. Did you know the Aberdeen K-9 Officers are a special resource and are often called to assist other agencies in the area? Officers Dex and Neko have assisted the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Edmonds County Sheriff’s Department, and they have even performed school searches in the Aberdeen Area to help keep kids safe. // — Karlie Spiry

Snug as two Saint Bernards in a rug, or rather, MINI Cooper. Spirit (right) and Daisy are ready to cruise!

Let’s Go for a Ride

Presentation College is home to one of the only living animal mascots in South Dakota, and she’s a pretty cute Saint Bernard named Spirit. Famed for her loving nature and adorable big, brown eyes, Spirit is well known across PC’s campus and around Aberdeen. In fact, if you see two Saint Bernards piled into a MINI Cooper driving around town, that’s just Spirit and her “sister” Daisy going for a ride. Daisy is not Spirit’s actual litter mate, but she is a Saint Bernard who also enjoys a good car ride. Stacy Bauer, who works at Presentation College, is the caretaker of these two giant fluff balls. She says, “It’s kind of comical seeing these two big dogs in a tiny car, but they just love it!” // — Karlie Spiry

Greg Sander is proud to own and operate one of the oldest businesses

Sander’s Celebrates 75 Years

Sander’s Sew-N-Vac and The Fabric Bin are celebrating 75 years of business in Aberdeen. As one of the oldest businesses in Hub City, Sander’s has been selling vacuums in Aberdeen since 1945 when original owner Al Sander would go door to door selling vacuum cleaners. He set up shop when housewives would ask about sewing machines. Ever since, the Sander family has been selling top of the line vacuums and sewing machines alike. Greg and Deb Sander took over the business in 1976 and have continued the family business of serving Aberdeen’s cleaning needs. They’ve even started offering quilting classes and a scissor sharpening service. // — Karlie Spiry in Aberdeen.

 To shop for top of the line vacuums, visit their website www.sanderssewnvac.com, or give Greg a call at the store at 605.225.4203.

Treat Your Car to a Spa Day

Mike Carrels, owner of C-Express, Black Diamond Casino, and Platinum Auto Spa, decided the time had come to upgrade his business on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Roosevelt. Construction wrapped up April 13, and the store remains open with regular sanitizing and health precautions in place. The most popular new additions to the business have been the laundry mat and partnership with the Junction to serve their prepared food. Platinum Auto Spa is another major addition to the already existing business. It offers an express car wash in less than two and a half minutes. Carrels says he is looking forward to Godfather's Pizza and a prepared breakfast foods section opening soon. // — Jenifer Fjelstad

Hub City Goes Hog Wild

Back in May, area pork producers gave away over 13,000 pounds of pork in the 2020 Hog Wild Giveaway. The event took place at the old Shopko parking lot on US Highway 281. Following social distance guidelines, hundreds of cars were directed to line up in the parking lot to receive their 20-pound box of various pork products. The pork came from South Dakota producers in the Aberdeen Area and was processed at SDSU with the help of South Dakota Pork Producers. The goal of the Hog Wild Giveaway was to promote local pork producers and to showcase their products to the community. // — Karlie Spiry

Photo by Troy McQuillen

3M Brings Growth to Aberdeen

The 3M plant has been awarded two U.S. Department of Defense contracts to increase its production of N95 respirators. The first contract was awarded in April for a sum of $76 million, and the second contract came in May for $126 million. 3M drastically increased the production of face masks in January to help combat the worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. These two contracts also allow for 3M to add an additional 120,000 square feet expansion to the plant, and 100 jobs. 3M is estimating the plant will gradually increase the production of N95 respirators from 35 million to 95 million per month with this new addition and jobs. // — Karlie Spiry

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A Plaza to Rise from Malchow’s

Main Street hasn’t looked quite the same since the Malchow’s fire last October. The 506 South Main Street lot has remained completely barren since the ruined building was torn down in November. Earlier in May, the Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau announced plans to build Malchow Plaza over the empty lot. This $2.5 million plaza will include the construction of one new building and repairing the Anchors of Faith building that took on severe damage during the fire. The Convention and Visitors Bureau will be moving to the plaza upon completion, along with Aberdeen Development Corp., Dakota Broadcasting, the South Dakota Small Business Development Center, and The Market, a new business coming to Aberdeen. // — Karlie Spiry  For more updates on the plaza, be sure to follow the Convention and Visitors Bureau page on Facebook.

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