Downtown Sioux Falls businesses still struggling, but finding ways to get by

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - This week, The Catitude Cafe posted on Facebook concerns with small businesses, including their own, facing hard times. Many downtown Sioux Falls businesses have echoed that sentiment this year already after a SiouxFalls.Business column shed light on their difficulties. Reflecting on this summer, which is supposed to be a big season for business, many have been disappointed.

Catitude Cafe owner Heather Wendlandt admits that it's costly to care for all their furry friends that they host. This is on top of the cost of running the cafe itself, but she's not the only one feeling financial hardship this year.

"I think it's not just businesses downtown," Wendlandt said. "I think kind of everybody's feeling the hardship whether it be based on the economy or personal financial stuff. I think everybody downtown is just kind of feeling that it's really slowed down."

Not every business has struggled. Some businesses we spoke with said that they actually had a positive summer. However, all businesses downtown have seen less foot traffic this summer. Some business owners we spoke with on Friday believe nuisance behavior is giving the downtown area a bad reputation that customers want to avoid . Another factor is that families have been spending less money due to an inflated economy.

MK Threads Boutique owner Kelly Grovijahn is aware that shoppers are in a pinch. She admits it's been tougher for her lately, too, but she has found different strategies for the business to survive.

"With sales being down, we just really have kind of pivoted by being very conscious of how we're spending our money," Grovijahn explained. "Where before we would've probably shopped a little bit further out for our inventory, where now we are buying on a weekly basis so we can kind of control it more. If we have a down week, we won't have all the extra inventory in the back."

Wendlandt also says that after major flooding, tourism in the area took a hit ad that meant businesses took it on the chin. Events and sales play a role in boosting foot traffic, but it doesn't solve long-term struggles.

"We really look forward to any event that's happening in downtown Sioux Falls," said Grovijahn. "It just helps bring people in that maybe don't come down here that regularly, so we really count on the foot traffic increasing for the Levitt concerts, we have the Art & Wine Walk coming up. That will definitely increase our foot traffic. Even though they might not be purchasing the night of the event, it's getting them here, it's getting them in front of our storefront or even better yet, sometimes through our store and then they come back future times and make their purchases."

Whatever the perfect storm causing struggles for businesses is, business owners have each other to lean on through a difficult time.

"I think it's just a matter of all of us coming together, all of us supporting each other," Wendlandt said. "We really try and partner with as many businesses as we can and we're always looking for partnerships when people are interested."

At the end of the day, small businesses just hope that consumers think of them.

"If they're spending their dollar with companies that are over in China where they can get things dirt cheap, they have to realize that that dollar is never coming back," stated Grovijahn. "If you come down to the boutiques in the downtown area, that dollar is going to recirculate throughout the community. I'm still keeping my money in the local community because they're my people, they're the ones that I want to be successful."

"Whether you're grabbing a cup of coffee to and from work or if you're grabbing lunch or if you've got thirty minutes, come hang out with some kitties and boost your mood," said Wendlandt.