Dakotafire Get your spark here.
You get to live here. Growing up in northeastern South Dakota I thought I was one of the unluckiest kids in the world. Read More »
Postcard: A new view of a prairie river
Blog Archives
Where is a great Main Street, and what makes it awesome?
Where is a great main Street, and what makes it awesome? Read More »
Highway or Main Street? Towns need both
In many small Dakota towns, when a business is ready to open or expand, it faces a dilemma: Go to Main Street, or the highway? Read More »
Empty spaces on Main are an opportunity
If Main Street is the face of a community and the first impression it gives visitors, an active and lively downtown is key to telling an upbeat story. Read More »
Shops cooperate to create antique circuit
“Am I foolish for trying to open an antique shop in Arlington, S.D.?” That was the question that led Randy Bullis on the path to starting Bits of Yesterday seven years ago. Read More »
Store draws fabric lovers from a distance
When Lori Holt first opened Quilter’s Corner in Faulkton in 1998, she knew one key that her business would need to thrive. Read More »
Bringing clientele to backroads retailers, via the information superhighway
It’s been said that the best advertising is word-of-mouth. One social media outlet is aiming to give “word-of-mouth” about businesses in the rural Dakotas a louder voice. Read More »
Customer service is vital in rural areas
In small businesses—as in small towns—healthy relationships are key. Read More »
From the Editor: Graduating into the community
Having a commencement speaker has become less fashionable for high school graduations—perhaps because one too many speakers continued past the point of polite patience for the elderly grandparents, Read More »
Focus On Main Street: How can we help Main Streets thrive?
For the March gathering of economic developers for the Prairie Idea Exchange project, we dove into the topic of Main Street. Read More »