May 27, 2021

The Twin Cities restaurant owners known for concepts such as Burger Dive and Smack Shack are bringing three restaurants to downtown Sioux Falls.

Josh Thoma and Kevin Fitzgerald plan to open the restaurants on the first floor of the office tower at The Steel District, the downtown redevelopment from Lloyd Cos. that recently announced it plans to start construction this year.

Josh Thoma

“Josh Thoma and Kevin Fitzgerald are some of the most critically acclaimed restaurant operators from the Twin Cities, and we’re thrilled they have chosen to work with us to bring three restaurants to downtown Sioux Falls and The Steel District,” Chris Thorkelson, CEO of Lloyd Cos., said in a statement.

“This truly demonstrates the level of quality and investment we’re bringing to The Steel District. We know these restaurants are going to become fast favorites for locals and visitors alike.”

The three restaurants coming to Sioux Falls were not named in the announcement.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Lloyd Cos. on this new project,” Thoma said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to expand outside of the Twin Cities, and we can’t think of a better location or partner to work with.”

The restaurants will be riverfront locations and part of the new nine-story building. Lloyd said altogether they’re expected to seat more than 500 people, with each restaurant offering patio space along with multiple interior dining and lounge spaces.

Thoma and Fitzgerald own and operate a diverse range of restaurants. Burger Dive serves a variety of bar snacks and burgers made from a custom grind in a fun, dive bar atmosphere.

Smack Shack is a casual seafood restaurant known for its signature lobster rolls and lobster boil, with locations in Minneapolis, Rosedale Center, MSP Airport and another location coming soon to Bloomington.

The Lexington is an iconic restaurant in St. Paul that originally opened in 1935. After a significant restoration, Thoma and Fitzgerald reopened the restaurant in 2017 with a menu featuring steakhouse classics served in an elegant dining room.

Earlier in his career, Thoma was instrumental in creating Minneapolis restaurants La Belle Vie, Bar La Grassa, Barrio and Solera. He was named Restauranteur of the Year by the Star Tribune in 2009 and by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine in 2009.

“Downtown has such a strong dining scene that it challenged us to find the right operators to offer something new and different,” Thorkelson said. “We think Josh and Kevin are going to hit the mark and create concepts that tie in so well to the office, hotel and residential activity we’ll be bringing to The Steel District. Bringing restaurants from these professionals to Sioux Falls creates the atmosphere we have been working toward since we started this project and will be an incredible draw for our staff and clients.”

Lloyd Cos. also announced it will move its office into the new Steel District office tower from the nearby CNA Building.

“We’ve seen firsthand the value for our team in offering a best-in-class downtown office environment,” Thorkelson said. “This location offers so much value – from Falls Park out your door to places to live on-site to, of course, the outstanding dining options we’ve just announced, plus more shopping, dining and entertainment ahead.”

The office tower also will include a second-floor coffee shop and fitness center.

Tenants, including the restaurants, are expected to begin moving in during early 2023.

The Canopy by Hilton hotel likely will open 20 to 24 months from when it starts construction, which could be yet this fall or early spring 2022.

“We’re excited to share more announcements in the coming weeks as we continue to secure commitments from tenants at The Steel District,” Thorkelson said. “Bringing these three restaurants to Sioux Falls will create the atmosphere we have been working toward since we started this project and will be an incredible draw for our staff and clients.”