June 3, 2019

A convenience store with a farm-to-table focus is the latest business to sign on for space at The Cascade, the new downtown mixed-use project on North Phillips Avenue that opens for residents in about a month.

Wendy Hanson is opening The Root Cellar, which she describes as a “hybrid convenience store with an old neighborhood market feel.”

Her plan is to stock merchandise that will accommodate the everyday household needs of people who live in and around The Cascade. There will be about 200 apartments once both phases of the project are done, plus there are additional apartment and condo buildings nearby along Main and Phillips avenues.

She plans to carry farm-to-table items such as produce, meats, dairy and specialty items; beer and wine; other grocery items; snacks; and grab-and-go items, along with personal care and pet products.

“We will rely on our customers’ input to help fulfill their day-to-day needs and wants,” Hanson said.

The Root Cellar will be open daily starting later this summer.

The remaining commercial space also is drawing increased interest, said Raquel Blount of Lloyd Cos., who represents the property.

She’s working to finalize deals with a cafe, fitness concept and home-decor store. There are four spaces remaining that range from 900 to 3,500 square feet.

Severance Brewing Co., the first tenant to announce, is making progress building out its space and hopes to begin brewing in the next 10 days, targeting an opening in July.

Meanwhile, the first residents are scheduled to move into The Cascade in early July, and leasing has been ahead of projections, according to developer and property manager Lloyd Cos.

The first building includes 120 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and “anything facing the Falls is running really low on availability,” resident manager Laura Walters said.

“But we have some great courtyard-view lofts left that will overlook the pool, outdoor kitchen and fireplaces. We also are getting really low on one-bedrooms, with maybe eight left,” Walters said. “Now that construction is starting to wrap up, we can really show those that are interested in renting the vision of what Cascade will be and all the fun amenities.”

The Cascade is designed to be a social building. The lobby and office area is called the Cascade Cafe and will include lounge seating and free Starbucks coffee during business hours for residents.

There also are multiple community gathering spaces designed for people who are working remotely, holding a meeting or socializing.

A second-floor community room includes an expansive bar and massive patio.

A rooftop deck dubbed the Metli Lounge in memory of former city planning director and downtown advocate Steve Metli will overlook Falls Park and Levitt at the Falls and offer residents space to unwind with a fireplace and drink rail.

“Anyone that has rented is already getting to know their neighbors,” Walters said. “We have had a couple of social events, and others are seeing our Facebook page and interacting through that. It is really awesome to see everyone getting so excited about move-in day.”

The building itself is on track for an early July opening, said Drew O’Brien, Lloyd regional manager.

“At about a floor a week, we should see everything come together very quickly over the next month,” he said. “We cannot wait to add furniture and all of the secret surprises we have in store for our first-floor amenities that will provide endless hours of fun for our community members come July.”

While it’s a daily battle with weather, the hope is to begin courtyard construction soon and begin shaping amenities such as an outdoor pool, outdoor kitchen, bocce ball court, green space, fire pits and lounge deck.

“You will think you are on a destination vacation rather than in the heart of a booming downtown Sioux Falls,” O’Brien said. “The final design is breathtaking, and we cannot wait to share it with everyone.”

The Cascade also will be a stop on the downtown loft tour from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22.