Spring Fling: A Celebration of Community in Downtown Sioux Falls

By: Greg Koch
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Downtown Sioux Falls has always been more than just a place — it’s a feeling. A rhythm. A community. I know this deeply, both as the owner of 605 Running Company and as someone fortunate enough to serve as Board Chair for Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF).

Through that lens, I get to see — and be part of — the remarkable work being done to support our small business ecosystem. One of the initiatives I’m most proud of is the Retail Roundtable, a group of independent retailers who regularly come together to talk shop, share ideas, and build real community.

This group is filled with brilliant, generous, and creative business owners and managers. Every time we meet, I leave feeling more hopeful. In a time that has felt heavy and uncertain for many of us in retail, this group has been a reminder that we’re not in it alone.

Enter: Spring Fling
Our next big adventure together is Spring Fling — a grassroots effort that brings together some of the most dynamic local retailers to spread positivity and joy throughout Downtown. It’s not just about sales or traffic; it’s about celebrating the people and places that make this district vibrant and unique.

Spring Fling will take place April 12 through April 19. During this week-long celebration, when you visit participating businesses, you’ll have the chance to enter a drawing for a $25 gift card to one of the participating shops. Every participating business is giving away a gift card — and the more places you visit and support, the more entries (and chances to win) you earn. It's a simple and fun way to explore Downtown and maybe score a little something for yourself in the process.

Here’s who’s joining in on the fun: Alcove, Bella Rosa Flower Market, Combine, Child’s Play Toys, Gist Wine Shop, Great Outdoor Store, Lauriebelles, Mary’s Mountain Cookies, Matchbox Candle Company, Midnight Spark, MINT + BASIL, MK Threads Boutique, Nyberg’s Ace, Pasque Boutique, Plum’s, Primp Boutique, Say Anything Jewelry, Serendipity Studio Gallery and Gifts, Simply Perfect, Sticks and Steel, Terra Shepherd Boutique & Apothecary, The Green Penny, The Spice and Tea Exchange, Thomas James and Bechtold Jewelry, Vital Flow Infusions, Zandbroz Variety, and of course, 605 Running Company.

Each of these businesses represents a labor of love, often kept afloat by the sheer willpower and determination of its owner.

The Reality of Retail Today
The timing of this event couldn’t be more significant. We are in an extraordinary moment for small business. One of our Downtown neighbors recently turned to the community with a crowdfunding campaign to keep their doors open. Others have quietly shared their fears and fatigue, confiding that they aren’t sure they’ll make it through the year.
I’ve felt that pressure too. While 605 Running Company is having a solid year overall, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tight. Bills are piling up, and foot traffic — our lifeblood — has been inconsistent. When I broke it down for our team, I realized that if we could just sell shoes to 2.5% of Sioux Falls’ population, we’d be thriving. That sounds simple, but the reality is far more complex.

This is why Spring Fling matters. It’s not just an event. It’s a lifeline. It’s a reminder that we are better together, that collaboration can spark new life into our shared spaces, and that there is still joy to be found in this journey.

Feet on the Ground
In the coming weeks, I’ll be spotlighting participating businesses through this blog and on social media. I’ll also be walking the Downtown district — not just because it’s good for the soul, but to show just how walkable and accessible our neighborhood really is. There are a lot of misconceptions about parking and navigation in the district, and I’m on a mission to help clear that up one step at a time.

As part of these walks, I’ll be sharing shoe recommendations from our store that are perfect for exploring Downtown comfortably and confidently. Whether you’re on a lunch break, shopping day, or a Spring Fling adventure, I’ve got tips to keep you moving in the right direction — with the right footwear.

Supporting More Than Just Sales
605 Running Company is proud to host a food drive for Feeding South Dakota during Spring Fling. Donation barrels are available at both of our locations. This effort is in partnership with local runners Lance Smith and Barry Sackett as part of their inspiring Kwik Star 50K initiative. You can learn more about that here: https://www.runsiouxfalls.org/calendar/kwik-star-50k-for-feeding-sd

Why Local Matters
Guilt doesn’t sell shoes — and it doesn’t build lasting community either. What does matter is honesty, transparency, and connection. I love Sioux Falls. I love being in business here. And I want to keep doing this work for a long time.

By choosing to shop local, you’re not just keeping businesses open — you're helping maintain the character, charm, and resilience of our city. In a time of national and global uncertainty, our local economy is a bright spot. Supporting small businesses is one of the most powerful ways we can protect our slice of heaven here in flyover country.

Stay tuned as I share more Downtown stories — and shoes — one step at a time.

Greg Koch is the owner of 605 Running Company and serves as Board Chair of Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. He believes in the power of community, comfortable shoes, and saying the quiet part out loud when it comes to running a business.