June 4, 2021

Buff City Soap is bringing its all-natural, create-your-own soap store to Sioux Falls.

Franchisee Curt Bowen was born and raised in Sioux Falls and is opening 40 Buff City Soap locations in the next four years. His first two, which are in Nebraska, opened late last year.

“It really surprised me what a difference a product makes when it’s natural, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives; it’s all plant-based,” said Bowen, who also franchises Sun Tan City and Crunch Fitness locations.

While trying to decide whether to take on the Dallas-based concept, he had dozens of friends, family and colleagues try the products, which include bar soap, foaming hand soap, shower gel, laundry soap and bath bombs.

“Literally, the biggest challenge has been they couldn’t get the product soon enough,” he said, adding multiple people with extreme skin issues could use the products without irritation.

“It’s a great concept and an exciting brand, and the company itself is doing some really cool things right now. … I didn’t fully get it until I’d been in the store about 60 seconds. This cannot be duplicated.”

There are more than 30 unique and customizable scents for the products, and “we don’t ship anything in,” Bowen continued. “We just get the natural ingredients sent in. We have a makery, and in there we hand make everything, and it’s an awesome experience to be part of and see.”

Customers also can participate in making some products, helping stir and adding colors and fragrances. Coloring bath bombs is a big hit with kids, Bowen said.

“The interactive concept just adds so much more to it. We host soap parties where we will have birthday parties or ladies’ nights out … and it’s been so well-received.”

The store will take more than 3,000 square feet at Empire Place in one of the retail centers being built in front of The Empire Mall.

“I love the area, the fact that the first Chick-fil-A in the state is going to be in our parking lot, tremendous traffic; the street count is insane,” Bowen said. “What can you not like about it?”

The business is a strong addition to the development, said Raquel Blount of Lloyd Cos., who oversees leasing for Empire Place.

“They’re such a draw. Their concept is interactive, and that’s what everyone is looking for right now,” Blount said. “It ties in nicely with the boutique retail feel.”

Buff City Soap will be in the same retail center as Crumbl Cookies and The Good Feet Store.

“I have offers on every remaining space that’s under construction,” Blount said, adding there is still room on the site for two more retail buildings.

Buff City Soap hopes to open in early fall.