So, were you brave enough to mix it up with the masses on Friday and do a little Black Friday shopping in pursuit of this year's must-have booming bargains?

I went out against my better judgment with my wife on Friday morning around 6:30. We hit the Mall and several department stores over the next few hours.  And I am happy to say that I am still alive to talk about it. We didn't see any fights between holiday shoppers, nor did anyone try and steal anything out of our shopping cart, or rip anything out of our hands.

Actually, it wasn't as crazy busy as I thought it was going to be. With the weather as nice as it was on Friday, I expected to be walking into a steel cage death match in most stores. Most places were busy, but I wouldn't call them slammed with shoppers. I guess the allure of this year's Black Friday deals wasn't all that great.

KXRB logo
Get our free mobile app

One thing I did notice while inside The Empire Mall, however, was the ginormous "Dillard's Opening in 2023" sign that is plastered in front of what used to be the old Younkers location on the mall's west side.

You'll need to forgive me, I am not much of a shopper, and I haven't been in The Empire Mall for some time, but I do remember hearing something back in 2018 about Dillard's planning on opening a Sioux Falls location in late 2019.

Well, 2019 came and went. Then the Vid came along and threw the entire world out of whack starting in the spring of 2020 and I just figured the plans to bring Dillard's to Sioux Falls had been put on a shelf permanently.

Not the case. I guess back in August of this year, Simon Property Group the parent company for The Empire Mall released a statement saying that Dillard's is coming again, this time for real.

The Arkansas-based company now plans to open up its first Upper Midwest store sometime in the Fall of 2023. Dillard's already has locations in Iowa and Nebraska, but nothing yet in the Dakotas.

You can bet once the new Sioux Falls Dillard's store opens next fall it will be a hot spot filled full of a plethora of holiday shoppers next Black Friday.

If I'm brave enough to venture out next Black Friday, I better plan on bringing along some bear spray and a set of brass knuckles. I'm kidding...as far as you know.

Source: Simon Property Group

12 Businesses That Would Do Great in Sioux Falls' Abandoned Gordmans Building

For thirty years the people of Sioux Falls saw the sign for Gordmans off-price department store across the parking lot from the Empire Mall.

In September of 2020, the store closed for its final time. Since then the building has sat empty, something that doesn't happen too often in Sioux Falls.

We were wondering what people in Sioux Falls would like to see take over the space. Some folks wanted their Gordmans back. It was a great place to find deals on clothing. But, all the Gordmans are gone, so that's a no-go.

And since we've gotten our Chick Fil A and Chipotle, the city is primed for another thing to line up for.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in South Dakota

Cities on the east and west side of the Missouri River have made the latest list of South Dakota's Most Dangerous Cities for 2021.

Roadsnacks recently released its most 'Dangerous Cities' list and here in The Mount Rushmore state there are a few surprises, especially at the top. To determine the most dangerous cities in the state, Roadsnacks looked at the FBI's report on the latest violent crime, along with property crime statistics.

And surprisingly, the town with the most murders per capita in the state has less than 3,000 residents. Take a look at the list below.

For a look at the detailed list, visit roadsnacks.com Story Source: Roadsncaks

 

 

More From KXRB