Happy Friday! Megan here.
🤞Wish me luck: I'm in Austin this weekend for the Independent News Sustainability Summit this weekend! And tonight I'll be attending an award ceremony at which Sioux Falls Simplified's Welcome Guide is a finalist for "Product of the Year."
- It's a massive honor to be recognized on a national scale like this, but like, how amazing would it be if we won! (Don't worry – I'll keep you posted!!) In the meantime, get the guide here:
Weather check: Fall-y as ever
This weekend, we are keeping it short and sweet! You'll get smart about Sioux Falls' short-term rental market with Kayla Huizing. We've also got a roundup of Halloweekend events.
And now, news:
GET SMART
Get smart about short-term rentals with Kayla Huizing
by Olivia Bertino
Kayla Huizing runs SoDak Stays with her husband Albert Huizing. We chatted with her about the local Airbnb and short-term rental scene.
Answers are edited for length and clarity.
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? How did you end up in Sioux Falls? What's your family like?
I was born on a farm just outside of Inwood, Iowa. I attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa were I met my now husband Albert.
After graduation we got married and moved to Sioux Falls as I had gotten a position as the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.
- In 2021, we had our first child – our son, Henry and we are expecting our second, a girl, in early January.
We’re all about simplicity here. Can you describe how short term rentals work in 10 words or less?
STR’s provide furnished living spaces for guests when they need it.
How did you end up in the short-term rental world?
We always knew we wanted to start a business, but would have never guessed that it would be in the short-term-rental world.
We bought our first home in 2019 and quickly realized that we didn’t use over half of the space in the house.
- In March of 2020 we decided to rent out our basement on Airbnb.
It was wildly successful and we loved the thrill of getting bookings and preparing for guests.
- Now we are managing over 16 properties in the Sioux Falls area.
How do we "get smart" about short-term rentals?
It’s important for guests to know that Airbnbs are very different from hotels.
- Each have their own unique characteristics and quirks – which is what makes it so fun.
- To get the most out of the experience, guests should feel free to ask their hosts about their favorite local spots to visit and restaurants to eat at. We hosts love showing off our city to guests.
See the full interview here
And get even smarter.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This new event hall aims to bring community, legacy to Lennox
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.
Simplified: A new 9,500-square-foot event space is coming to Lennox, and owner Allie McLouth hopes it becomes a legacy she can leave behind for her children.
Why it matters
- The new venue will be called Prosper Country Warehouse and Event Hall – located just east of Lennox on 278th Street.
- Having an event space gives Lennox a chance to expand its tourism offerings in the city with community events, weddings, parties, and more.
- The new space also fulfills McLouth's goal of having a career that aligns with her faith and family values. She's worked the last eight years running an in-home daycare, and previously worked as an oral surgery assistant. Her husband and co-owner Dustin McLouth is a teacher in Lennox.
"I started to pray about it," Allie McLouth said of finding her next career move. "And one day I woke up, and I was like, 'Dustin, we're going to open an event hall.'"
Tell me more about the space
And how can I book an event?
EVENTS
Stuff to do:
- *Get revitalized. The 4th Annual Yogafest is coming back to the Sioux Falls Convention Center on Nov. 5. Attendees will experience three classes throughout the morning event, and this year, participants are encouraged to donate school supplies for three local schools. Free will donations will also be accepted for Kendra Brouwer. Don't miss your chance to get tickets for the event next week! Tickets available here.
- Get your creeps with the critters. The Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History will have its Zoo Boo Halloween extravaganza. Between Friday and Sunday, there will be trick or treating, pumpkins and more. Details here.
- Books and beer. REACH Literacy will have a pop-up book store at Severance Brewing Company on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Donate some books or buy your own, and be sure to grab a pitcher of beer. Details here.
- March like a monster. Join a herd of zombies for a Zombie Walk on Saturday. There will be a costume contest with prizes for the best dressed monsters. Registration and more info here.
- See some BOOterflies. The Butterfly House and Aquarium will have a Saturday Spooktacular free with admission. Play games and activities and do some spooky crafts. Details here.
- Trick or treat on a downtown street. From 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday, some businesses will have candy and treats to give away to those in costume. See the participating businesses here.
*denotes a sponsored event post. If you'd like to see your event featured here, email megan@sfsimplified.com.
THIS AND THAT
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