This August, a 605 crew of two embarked on a road trip to one of South Dakota’s northernmost cities: Aberdeen.
Publisher Alana Snyder and I planned to explore the quickly evolving canvas of Aberdeen’s downtown scene.
“The vibe in Aberdeen downtown feels like we are reshaping our identity not only as a district, but as a community overall,” said Aberdeen Downtown Association executive director Alexa Sheldon.
Sheldon and Meg White, the association’s events and outreach specialist, welcomed us to town abuzz with preparation for that night’s Summer Concert Series.
Our first stop was a boutique off of Main Street called The Finery on Main.
Owner Julie Fischbach greeted us with excitement about the shop’s upcoming first birthday on October 3.
“I would say The Finery on Main is very unique,” said Fischbach, explaining her process in selecting the items she chooses to display in her store.
Though the boutique revolves around menswear, Fischbach has added hygiene and beauty products, jewelry, inspirational décor, and witty giftables as she evaluates the pulse of the community’s wants and needs.
“I’ve had five people from different cities reach out and ask me about bringing this store elsewhere,” she revealed.
Fischbach also owns Mainstream Boutique in Aberdeen, and explained that she travels to 10 major markets a year to make selections for her businesses.
“I like to touch, feel, and handpick everything,” she said.
“We really pride ourselves on carrying good, quality name brands that don’t break the bank.” – Julie Fischbach, The Finery on Main
After browsing and chatting with Fischbach, we checked into the historic Alonzo Ward Hotel & Plaza. We didn’t have to go far, as they were located in the same building.
Founder Alonzo Ward arrived in Aberdeen as a restaurant worker in 1883 and opened the Railroad Restaurant, which grew in size and popularity over the years. In 1897 he opened the Alonzo Ward Hotel, which continued to be a notable stop for many famous visitors over the years.
The hotel has sustained several fires and rebuildings and was converted into an office space with condos in the early 2000s. As of 2023, the building has returned to its original design, now boasting 18 boutique hotel rooms and a first floor plaza with retail spaces.
Alana and I explored the building and settled into our rooms, noting the blend of historic and modern tastes, as well as the intensely soft carpet.
Raffi Ismaili
We swung by Three22 Kitchen + Cocktails for a drink before heading back to the restaurant adjoining the hotel lobby: Roma Ristorante Italiano.
Opened in 2013 by Raffi Ismaili, Roma is described by Sheldon as a “local staple for over 10 years.” In 2023, the restaurant found a new home in the Alonzo Ward building.
In the well lit and elegantly dressed dining space, we ordered three dishes: Manicotti, Tortellini Alla Panna, and Chicken Casanova. While we waited, Ismaili himself made us a cocktail at the fully-stocked bar.
We feasted on fresh bread and dipping oil, a side salad, and the pasta dishes. Alana and I agreed that the tortellini was nothing short of spectacular.
Though we had shopped, drank, and ate, the night was far from over. Up next was downtown Aberdeen’s Summer Concert Series.
Sheldon explained that the event has taken on different shapes over the years, but that it has always focused on bringing a fun and interactive experience to the community.
“We have some of the coolest stories & the most humble people hidden within our community.” – Alexa Sheldon, Aberdeen Downtown Association
“I’ve really grown to love and admire the type of gathering we create with the Summer Concert Series,” said Sheldon, noting the relaxed atmosphere and the view of the Malchow Plaza and the Capitol Theater on Main Street.
“We have incredible sunsets, fresh summer nights, craft beer, local food trucks, and a welcoming atmosphere for anyone who wants to join,” she said.
Minneapolis-based band The Silver Alchemist took the stage, inviting people to dance with creative covers and unexpected mashups from artists like Adele, Dr. Dre, Beyonce, Steve Winwood, Pitbull, and Taylor Swift.
The music played on as Alana and I stopped by The Market on the Plaza
to order a beer flight and chat with owner Brodie Mueller. The coffeeshop and taphouse was full of people conversing as we browsed the shop’s stickers, snacks, and other merchandise.
The concert ended at 10 p.m., but not without an outcry for an encore from the audience. The band got permission from the downtown association before playing one more tune for the excitable throng.
The next morning we swung by Red Rooster Coffee House for coffee, breakfast, thrifted finds, and some great conversations.
Owner Dan Cleberg explained that the coffee and community shop was born from a fascination with the first coffeehouse he experienced with his sister as a teenager.
Since then, the pair has been inspired to unearth the heart of each city they visit via its coffeehouses, antique stores, and thrift stores.
In 1996, the brother-sister duo opened their own coffeehouse with red equipment they’d bought from the Chili Pepper Espresso Company, a different coffeehouse that was closing down.
Out antiquing, they ran across a few tins emblazoned with the name Red Rooster Coffee, a since-extinct company from Marshall, MN. The tins, the red equipment, and the name collided, and Red Rooster settled into its new, distinct identity.
FACT:
Dan & Angie Cleberg formed Fallout Creative Community, a non-profit organization that provides events, community oriented projects, & access to art for all people.
In 2018, the coffeehouse moved down the street to its current location, complete with a lounge and library in the back, as well as an adjoining thrift store.
Dan and his wife, Angie, are intently focused on benefiting the community they are a part of, hosting everything from Aberdeen Area Pride to the South Dakota Film Festival afterparty.
“We try to be thoughtful in all of our business practices to build community,” said Dan.
Conversation between locals and visitors bubbled over as we traversed the eclectic shop, delighting in the lore of the art-covered walls, various trinkets, and unique personalities that surrounded us.
With a coffee to-go, we swung back around to The Finery on Main to snag some quirky gifts for the team before hitting the road for the three hour drive back to Sioux Falls.
