New maker-focused store opens downtown this weekend

Feb. 28, 2025

A new store selling locally made merchandise and offering shoppers the chance to try their own hands at crafting opens this weekend.

The Maker’s Circle opens Saturday along The Cascade at Falls Park boardwalk at 701 N. Phillips Ave.

It’s owned by Meagan Turbak and Bobbi Clayton. Turbak is an art teacher at Edison Middle School who originally set out to create a summer camp for art students. Clayton, a former salon owner, used to work at Unglued, a makers’ store that expanded from Fargo to Sioux Falls but closed here several years ago.

The two met when Clayton began substitute teaching in Edison’s art room and subsequently took a job at the school.

The store “exceeded our vision,” Clayton said. “We have had so much fun taking Meagan’s plan for art camp and expanding on it to include so many other members of our art community.”

There are 22 artists represented in the store, with merchandise including jewelry, stickers, body care products, candles, wax melts, journals, engraved tumblers, wreaths, door hangers, other home decor and handbags.

That includes the owners’ businesses, Fogarty Arts and Wild Peach Creative, which make jewelry.

“We have room for more makers, depending on what they make,” Clayton said.

“We would love more Sioux Falls-/South Dakota-branded items for those who like to travel and want to bring back souvenirs from our awesome area and for those who love living here to buy and support local artists. We’d like a few more kid-friendly or kid-centered makers too.”

Their space on the boardwalk is across from the future Jacobson Plaza, which will bring a playground, splash pad, dog park and ice ribbon to Falls Park this year.

“We really love the vibe here,” Clayton said. “It was an easy decision and felt like home right away.”

The store will offer make-and-takes when customers stop in, starting with friendship bracelets for March. The first four workshops, which are designed for those 14 and older, are weaving, hammered flower totes, kokedama moss-covered balls and “a super-cute air plant holder,” she said.

On March 14, when there’s no class for Sioux Falls public schools, there will be a Macaroni Madness workshop for younger kids.

“We also have fun take-home activity packs families can pick up,” Clayton said. “They each take you on a little adventure and end with an art project.”

The summer camp is about half-full and still accepting students.

For information on the events, click here.

Store hours will adjust in the summer but for now are 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The post New maker-focused store opens downtown this weekend appeared first on SiouxFalls.Business.