My 605: Erik Muckey

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 My 605 is Erik Muckey, executive director of Lost&Found and owner of pigeon Ivan, named in memory of the grandfather he never met who lived and farmed in the Corsica area where he grew up. It’s “a great reminder to read the news with a grounding of where I came from and what I’ve learned in the years since,” he says.

My home in the 605 is: The historic Harvester Building on Sixth and Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls. I live in an oversized studio apartment that overlooks the Big Sioux River and the future Cherapa expansion. Needless to say, it’s fun to live at the intersection of history and development in our city.

The biggest reason I live in the 605 is: The genuinely kind and service-oriented people, and the opportunity to create generational impact. We really do have so much to celebrate as a state, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.

After home, I spend the most time here: The offices of Lost&Found, a comprehensive suicide prevention and postvention nonprofit that serves youth and young adults, 10 to 34, and their support networks in South Dakota and the surrounding region. I relocated back to Sioux Falls after spending four years leading our team remotely from the Twin Cities, and I’ve really enjoyed the chance to move home and establish a physical presence for an organization that reaches over 3 million people annually with our prevention programs and digital mental health content.

When I need to get away, you’ll find me: On a hiking or biking trail anywhere in the Sioux Falls metro or around the state.

The best meal I ever ate in the 605 was at: Two different places on two different sides of the state: Harvester Kitchen in downtown Sioux Falls and Skogen Kitchen in Custer. No picture can do the experience and food justice at either location, but if you’re looking for places to enjoy a memorable meal, don’t hesitate to choose either option.

My go-to coffee shop is: The Source. Especially come warmer weather in the summer, they’ve become one of my favorite places to grab a beverage and get to work. It doesn’t hurt they’re a block away from my apartment either!

My favorite place to grab an adult beverage in the 605 is: Severance Brewing. Beside the great beer and patio, their staff are always welcoming and have a great heart for serving causes in our community.

When I need to experience the great outdoors, you’ll find me: In the northern Black Hills. Our family vacationed to the Black Hills almost every year, and I’m particularly drawn to Spearfish Canyon and the snowmobile trails between the Lead/Deadwood area and the Wyoming border. I’ll see you on the trail!

The spot I’d recommend for a date is: R Wine Bar. I’ve enjoyed so many great evenings there with my partner in all things, Sadie, and love the connection and atmosphere created by Riccardo and their staff.

The best pizza in the 605 is: A bit of a toss-up for me! Depending on what you’re looking for, I always steer folks to Pizza Cheeks, Sunny’s Pizzeria or Monks. Each of them brings a different flavor and flair and great spaces to enjoy a slice with a friend!

When my friends and I get together, you’ll probably find us: Sipping a craft beer or cocktail on one of the many patios in downtown Sioux Falls or hitting up a concert, show or game. Also, it’s all but a guarantee you’ll see me at a USD event in the community. Go ‘Yotes!

The place you never can go wrong taking kids is: The Washington Pavilion! So many great memories there as a kid, especially spending time at the Kirby Science Discovery Center.

When I want to meet new people in the 605, I: Find ways to serve in community or civic organizations! I’m a member of Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary and Young Professionals Network, as well as serving a variety of nonprofit boards and as the chair of the Minnehaha County Democratic Party. I also firmly believe your best bet at meeting folks starts with posting up at a coffee shop, lunch spot or a brewery. Strike up a conversation, and see where it goes!

My best memory in the 605 is: Traveling to as many corners of the state as possible with my family. My mother, Sheryl, taught South Dakota history as part of her curriculum as a fourth grade teacher, and I grew to appreciate our state through her teaching and my parents’ reminders of the deep history — good, bad and ugly — sprinkled around the state. I have a richer perspective of the state because of my family.

The one thing I’m least crazy about in the 605 is: When we tend to sell ourselves short! We are the “Land of Infinite Variety” for so many reasons — people, land, climate and so on — but don’t always hold ourselves to the high standard that comes from having so much to offer in our borders. I encourage folks to be proud of the state they call home but also keep striving to make it better.

The three photos that sum up my life in the 605 are: