2025: Year in Review
January
The SandBar and Grill is under new ownership. It will be converting to a new name — Railbirds Sports Bar and OTB — and adding off-track betting, utilizing the vacant suite to the south (formerly Mainstream Boutique).
Winter Crazy Days brought shoppers out during the coldest month to shop great deals from participating businesses.
February
Dollar Tree at Lake Lorraine opened on the east side in the Building C retail center.
Big Lost Meadery & Brewery and Ranch & Roost opened for business on the north shore of Lake Lorraine.
March
Two Lake Lorraine businesses particiapted in the March Madness Shop Hop. Baking Up A Storm and Love Marlow were two of the 14 Sioux Falls businesses in which shoppers were encouraged to visit for a chance to win the grand prize.
The SandBar and Grill transitioned to Railbirds Sports Bar and OTB.
Augustana University students and Big Lost Meadery & Brewery collaborated on a special brew.
April
Dirt work started around the Lake Walk. Along the east side, a space will eventually feature some seating options with a beautiful view of the lake. The southeast corner of the lake will have a shaded structure with additional seating. It will be a great space to watch activities on the water and around the Lake Walk! Work also began in the spring to build a retaining wall to define the lake green space next to the path on the east side of the lake.
Krumvieda Companies had Featured Home #2 on the Spring Parade of Homes — a twin home at 2722 S. Oriya Pl., part of The Shores on Lake Lorraine.
May
The start of summer kicked off the outdoor recreational season at the lake. Lake Lorraine is privately owned but Friessen Development, Inc. partners with several businesses to enable quiet enjoyment at the lake. Bringing personal recreational equipment on the lake or fishing isn’t allowed. Flow and Paddle returned for their fifth year at Lake Lorraine, this year locating at the southeast corner of the lake adjacent to new parking lot. Game, Fish & Parks continued to offer free fishing classes at the lake, from pop-up fishing to spearfishing.
Outdoor picnic season returned to Lake Lorraine, with QBIC Luxury Picnics promoting the lifestyle center as a location for its curated picnics.
Scheels University utilized Lake Lorraine to try out new equipment from vendors.
Serenity Esthetics opened on Marion Road, offering advanced skin analysis using high-tech imaging and thorough consultations to assess key factors like pigmentation, texture, hydration and overall skin health. They believe everyone’s skin is unique and requires personalized attention, which is why each facial is tailored to suit the client’s individual needs.
Construction started on Marion Road for ChiroSport’s build-out. Through chiropractic, massage, rehabilitation, acupuncture and nutrition, ChiroSport provides ways for patients to succeed and optimize their health, allowing them to stay active and vibrant. This is ChiroSport’s second Sioux Falls location.
June
The fountain was placed in a different spot when it was installed this year as it needed to be moved to a deeper part of the lake.
The inaugural Hobby Horse Relay Race by Big Lost Meadery & Brewery took place on June 21, also one of the hottest days of the year. Participants made their way around the lake on hobby horses and competed in obstacles. Proceeds benefitted McCrossan Boys Ranch.
Pop-up Catch and Release Fishing events started with Game, Fish & Parks. One per month was held the same night as the Farmers Market.
Friessen Development continues to improve the green space in the development. The shades were installed on the new patio area on the south end of the lake. This is a great spot to sit and watch activity on the water! There’s also two new swings along the east side of the Lake Walk.
Trillion Health is a gynecology clinic built for women, by women and specializing in hormone therapy and evidence-based care to help you feel like yourself again. Their services include Bioidentical hormone therapy, Peptide therapy, Gynecology care, Sexual medicine, and Medical aesthetics.
Legends on Lake Lorraine was recognized as a 2025 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. This distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program honors providers across the nation that have demonstrated their dedication to enhancing the quality of care for elders and individuals with disabilities.
A Perfect 10 Nail & Beauty Bar celebrated their 6th anniversary at Lake Lorraine. This is the newest of their three Sioux Falls locations.
The 6th annual Lake Lorraine Farmers Market kicked off in June on the east side of the lake. The weekday market featured local producers offering honey, sauces, desserts, vegetables, plants, art and more. The market runs Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. from June-October.
ChiroSport Lake Lorraine opened at the end of June. Dr. Hailey Stengel attended the weekly Lake Lorraine Farmers Market on Thursdays as well. The clinic hours will be Monday-Friday 9am - 6 pm with flexibility upon request.
July
The annual Summer Crazy Days featured specials from Lake Lorraine retailers and a Community Appreciation Grillout at Security National Bank.
Friessen Development is constructing a retaining wall to define the lake green space next to the path on the east side of the lake. This will protect the Lake Walk during high water years. The approximately 12 feet between the Lake Walk and the retaining wall will be landscaped, adding to the quiet enjoyment and differing views we wish to create around the lake as you stroll along the Lake Walk.
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and the Lake Lorraine Farmers Market was one of its stops. While there weren’t hot dogs onsite, there were cool giveaways and that giant Wienermobile to take photos with!
Flow and Paddle and The Outdoor Campus partnered for a free paddleboard fishing event.
August
Anytime Fitness is raised awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association by encouraging people to walk around the Lake Walk. The event featured a variety of vendors and information.
The Sioux Falls Noon Sertoma Club hosted its annual Shine and Show in the Carsforsale.com parking lot. This free event brought out car enthusiasts and served as a fundraiser for playground equipment for the all-abilities playground at Sertoma Park.
Connection Church brought about 100 people to the lake for a worship service. The church is located on Marion Road, just west of Lake Lorraine.
September
Legends on Lake Lorraine held a Car Show. The event featured classic cars, live music and food trucks can be found in the Legends on Lake Lorraine parking lots (overflow in the Lake Lorraine southeast parking lot); open to the public
Loop the Lake races had beautiful weather for the annual paddleboard and kayak races and biathlon. The races tested participants’ speed skills as they paddled around Lake Lorraine with an option to add a one-mile run on the Lake Walk.
Starbucks closed at Lake Lorraine. It was one of hundreds of stores around the country that were shuttered due to corporate contractions.
Pahl’s Designer Showroom closed their Lake Lorraine location. This site was the only Pahl’s location in the Midwest that was not located next to its parent company, J.H. Larson Company.
October
Trillion Health & Hormone held a Grand Opening celebration.
The 7th Annual Halloween at Lake Lorraine brought thousands of people to the lake for trick-or-treating along the Lake Walk. Lake Lorraine businesses and community organizations had candy/trinket stations and there were numerous photo stations. This fun, free community event continues to be very popular. Halloween at Lake Lorraine held Oct. 11.
The Haunted House Decorating Contest was another way to spread the Halloween spirit across the community. Individuals entered their decorated homes for a chance to win bragging rights and Lake Lorraine gift basket(s). The community were able to visit the decorated houses and help choose the winner.
The Lake Lorraine Farmers Market season ended.
Railbirds Sports Bar closed at the end of October.
Big Lost Meadery & Brewery partnered with hosts Casey and Sam from the Screams From the Basement podcast for an evening of horror trivia featuring classics like Dracula and Frankenstein up to modern titles like Sinners and Get Out.
Prairie Creek Pet Hospital is expanding its footprint. Dirt is moving at its location on Marion Road! The clinic is adding to the building as well as more parking.
November
Urban Thread opened its doors this month. The consignment shop features new and used homegoods and clothing, with an ever-evolving inventory.
Love Marlow celebrated their 7th anniversary in November.
Van Buskirk Companies rebranded and refreshed their website refresh.
The fountain was taken out this month, along with the large chairs and picnic tables. They’ll be back in the spring and the Lake Walk remains open year-round.
Friessen Development installed the first of five interpretive signs around the Lake Walk. You’ll see the rest of the signs put up in the next month. They help tell the story of the history of Lake Lorraine and the Friessen family’s legacy in creating the development.
A new digital sign was installed on the east side of the lake. It promotes events and businesses located at Lake Lorraine.
December
Lake Lorraine had a decorated tree on display at the Washington Pavilion over the 2025 holiday season. The tree promoted all businesses at Lake Lorraine and used décor donated by Kirkland’s. Friessen Development opted to do this to reach a broader audience of visitors to the Pavilion during the holiday season.
Dec. 31 was the last day of operation for Railbirds OTB.
KidStrong officially opened and has classes and camps scheduled into the new year.