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Three South Dakota businesses received big recognition at the South Dakota Retailers Association’s Annual Conference in January. Boston’s Shoes to Boots in Yankton was named the 2026 Retailer of the Year; Tally’s Silver Spoon in Rapid City is the Restaurant of the Year; and Dairy Queen of Madison received the Community Service Award. Nathan Sanderson, Retailers Assoc. Executive Director says that the award winners exemplify the best in South Dakota retailers. “We have young entrepreneurs keeping main street strong, a restaurant that is setting the standard in western South Dakota, and a business owner whose generosity is inspiring,” said Sanderson. “South Dakota has amazing retail businesses. Our state and our communities should be very proud!” Retailer of the Year: Boston’s Shoe’s to Boots, Yankton WATCH RETAILER OF THE YEAR VIDEO Two sisters, Mandi Gause and Brennan Ewald, bought the downtown Yankton comfort footwear store in 2016. Since then, they have expanded their business three times, renovated a downtown building complete with a vintage light-up boot sign, and their family has added another business. “We were surprised and so excited for Boston’s to be named the South Dakota Retailer of the Year,” said Gause. Ewald added, “We love retail. We love Yankton. And we are having so much fun doing business in our hometown!” Restaurant of the Year: Tally’s Silver Spoon, Rapid City WATCH RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR VIDEO HERE Known for its fresh ingredients, eclectic menu, and excellent service, Tally’s has been lifting the culinary culture in Rapid City since 2009. “I’m very proud of my team - the experience we provide and the dishes we create. It’s great to see our passion recognized,” said Tally’s Proprietor and Master Chef Bejamin Klinkel. “We continue to experiment, evolve, and perfect new plates for those in Rapid City to enjoy!” Community Service Award: Dairy Queen, Madison WATCH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD VIDEO HERE There’s only one Miracle City USA. It’s Madison, SD, and it’s thanks to the Local Dairy Queen and the $1 million it’s raised for Children’s Miracle Network over the last 20 years. “It’s amazing. It’s emotional,” said Dairy Queen owner DeLon Mork about the award. “We’re blessed to be in such a generous community that is so willing to help the kids and families who need a boost.” Each year, the South Dakota Retailers Association accepts nominations for Retailer of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and the Community Service Award. From those nominations, an Awards Committee selects who receives the honors.
Three South Dakota businesses received big recognition at the South Dakota Retailers Association’s Annual Conference in January. Boston’s Shoes to Boots in Yankton was named the 2026 Retailer of the Year; Tally’s Silver Spoon in Rapid City is the Restaurant of the Year; and Dairy Queen of Madison received the Community Service Award.
Nathan Sanderson, Retailers Assoc. Executive Director says that the award winners exemplify the best in South Dakota retailers.
“We have young entrepreneurs keeping main street strong, a restaurant that is setting the standard in western South Dakota, and a business owner whose generosity is inspiring,” said Sanderson. “South Dakota has amazing retail businesses. Our state and our communities should be very proud!”
Retailer of the Year: Boston’s Shoe’s to Boots, Yankton
WATCH RETAILER OF THE YEAR VIDEO
Two sisters, Mandi Gause and Brennan Ewald, bought the downtown Yankton comfort footwear store in 2016. Since then, they have expanded their business three times, renovated a downtown building complete with a vintage light-up boot sign, and their family has added another business.
“We were surprised and so excited for Boston’s to be named the South Dakota Retailer of the Year,” said Gause.
Ewald added, “We love retail. We love Yankton. And we are having so much fun doing business in our hometown!”
Restaurant of the Year: Tally’s Silver Spoon, Rapid City
WATCH RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR VIDEO HERE
Known for its fresh ingredients, eclectic menu, and excellent service, Tally’s has been lifting the culinary culture in Rapid City since 2009.
“I’m very proud of my team - the experience we provide and the dishes we create. It’s great to see our passion recognized,” said Tally’s Proprietor and Master Chef Bejamin Klinkel. “We continue to experiment, evolve, and perfect new plates for those in Rapid City to enjoy!”
Community Service Award: Dairy Queen, Madison
WATCH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD VIDEO HERE
There’s only one Miracle City USA. It’s Madison, SD, and it’s thanks to the Local Dairy Queen and the
$1 million it’s raised for Children’s Miracle Network over the last 20 years.
“It’s amazing. It’s emotional,” said Dairy Queen owner DeLon Mork about the award. “We’re blessed to be in such a generous community that is so willing to help the kids and families who need a boost.”
Each year, the South Dakota Retailers Association accepts nominations for Retailer of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and the Community Service Award. From those nominations, an Awards Committee selects who receives the honors.