My 605: Alex Jensen

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 Alex Jensen, business banking officer at First Premier Bank, a member of the Sioux Falls City Council and the owner of pigeon Willy Todd.

My home in the 605 is: My wife, Nikki, and son, Jack, live in the Tomar Park neighborhood in central Sioux Falls. We love walking down to the park to jump on the bike trail.

The biggest reason I live in the 605 is: We live in the 605 because of all the opportunities — to work, to play and to raise a family. We have great public schools, a dynamite downtown and world-class businesses that call Sioux Falls and South Dakota home — all while being a safe community that is welcoming to ALL people.

After home, I spend the most time here: You will find me at First PREMIER Bank at the entrance to downtown where I am a business banker. If I am not at the bank, you would likely find me at Carnegie Town Hall where I spend most Tuesdays handling the business of the city on the City Council.

When I need to get away, you’ll find me: You would find me in Pierre, South Dakota, on the river or in Lead, South Dakota, in the wonderful Black Hills! The greatest part of our state is we are home to thousands of different landscapes, from the plains and lakes on the eastern side to the Hills on the western side, with multiple rivers running throughout.

The best meal I ever ate in the 605 was at: Taco brats from Uncle Ed’s Specialty Meats are by far the best brats in the 605. When you combine them with a tortilla shell, Inca Salsa and more cheese — as the brats are already loaded with cheese — it creates an explosion of flavor that is not regularly matched.

My go-to coffee shop is: Josiah’s or Queen City Bakery!

My favorite place to grab an adult beverage in the 605 is: Fernson or Remedy!

The spot I’d recommend for a date is: My wife and I are excited that Tre Lounge is coming back — it is where I proposed to her! My recommendation is to catch a movie at the State Theatre and then head to any of our downtown restaurants.

The best pizza in the 605 is: This is a question that I had to give a lot of thought to as I LOVE pizza.

If I decided by a great lunch option, it would be a pizza bagel from Bagel Boy.

If I had to decide by a fast option, it would be a Hot-N-Ready Pizza from Little Caesars.

If I decided by specialty pizza, I would go with MacKenzie River’s Stockman, which is the meat lovers.

The best place to share a pizza for dinner would be at Look’s Marketplace, which has an outstanding atmosphere. However, the best pizza in the 605 likely is found in your frozen pizza section at Hy-Vee. Jack’s Original Thin Crust Pizza is celebrating their 60th year in business, and it will continue to be at the top of all pizzas in America for years to come.

When my friends and I get together, you’ll probably find us: Playing hockey, out to dinner or exploring the zoo, Washington Pavilion or one of our many parks in Sioux Falls with our young children.

The place you never can go wrong taking kids is: The zoo, Washington Pavilion, the parks, and grandma and grandpa’s house!

When I want to meet new people in the 605 I go: YPN events, City Council meetings, chamber events, 1 Million Cups, etc.

My best memory in the 605 is: Working with my wife, family and friends to win the City Council election has to be one of my best memories.

The one thing I’m least crazy about in the 605 is: It takes five hours to get from Sioux Falls to the Hills.

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

Know someone who should be featured in My 605? Email info@pigeon605.com.