My 605: Amanda Wermers

What’s home unless you make it your own? My 605 takes you inside the lives, loves and little secrets of those who call South Dakota – area code 605 – home.

This week’s edition features Amanda Wermers, co-owner of Game Chest and owner of pigeon Cipur, “named after the sparrow that saves Willy the Sparrow in the movie. I was obsessed with it when I was a kid!”

My home in the 605 is: East side and downtown Sioux Falls.

The biggest reason I live in the 605 is: I love watching Sioux Falls develop as a city and believe it is crucial to have diversity in a growing city – so I live here to contribute to the culture and diversity of this community and state!

After home, I spend the most time here: My business! Game Chest in downtown Sioux Falls!

When I need to get away, you’ll find me: In the Hills visiting my momma. She and I moved back here from Denver when I was 15 – she was raised in the Hills – and she still lives out there now. I love going out there to refresh and recover!

The best meal I ever ate in the 605 was at: Alpine Inn, Hill City, South Dakota. To die for – love that place. Runner-up is Ode to Food in Sioux Falls – Chef Bob the Saucier is just phenomenal at his job.

My go-to coffee shop is: Oh man, this one is too hard! It’s a three-way tie for downtown shops:

The Breaks, our new neighbors on the south side of downtown; The Source, our great friends from our days at the Jones Building; and finally Coffea because nothing beats butterscotch lattes and molasses cookies on a fall afternoon.

My favorite place to grab an adult beverage in the 605 is: The Eldorado Margarita from Que Pasa in Rapid City. Hands down. In Sioux Falls, I love the Carpenter Bar and can’t wait to try The Treasury!

When I need to experience the great outdoors, you’ll find me: I am a sucker for the Falls. I just can’t get enough; they’re so peaceful. Serenity Trail in the Hills is also really awesome.

The spot I’d recommend for a date is: Oh man, Probably the State Theatre or the next show from The Good Night Theatre Collective. Also, not to toot my own horn, but renting a board game at Game Chest makes for an excellent date night!

The best pizza in the 605 is: I recently fell in love with Pizza Cheeks, so I am on that right now, but I am more of a taco girl!

When my friends and I get together, you’ll probably find us: Playing board games at Game Chest or one of our houses. We also love a good drive-in movie.

The place you never can go wrong taking kids is: I don’t have kids, but I can’t wait until my nibblings are old enough to take them to the Washington Pavilion museum!

When I want to meet new people in the 605 I go: Again, I always suggest people stop at our events at the store or join our Facebook group. Especially for people who sometimes struggle to fit in or feel accepted in other places, the Game Chest community has just been so welcoming to new people, and I just love seeing people come into their own there.

My best memory in the 605 is: Getting married to my partner in Rapid in the fall. It was the best day ever, even all these years later, it is the best memory ever.

The one thing I’m least crazy about in the 605 is: I think there is room to improve on the love and acceptance of others in this area, which is what I strive to do daily.

And finally, life in pictures. Here are the top three photos that most sum up My 605: