We are off to a great start building the new Big Lost Meadery on the north shore of Lake Lorraine in Sioux Falls.

“We’re coming out of the ground,” said Pete Nelson, president of construction at Van Buskirk Companies. “In the first three weeks our team completed all the site rough grading work, the building excavation work, and all the building foundations in spite of our ‘hit or miss’ South Dakota spring weather.”  

We plan to wrap up utilities this week as well as have the elevated deck and building slabs poured. “We are scheduled to begin framing the building structure and installing brick early July,” Nelson said.

We are looking forward to helping Big Lost Meadery bring their unique meadery, brewery and restaurant concept to this prime lakefront location. The land is being codeveloped by Van Buskirk Companies and the Friessen family.

“This is a big one,” said Steve Van Buskirk, president of land development at Van Buskirk Companies, “we’re so excited to have another piece of the lake finished up. It’s fun. It’s something different and unique, and that’s what you cross your fingers and hope for is to have something new and interesting come to the market.”

Big Lost Meadery, originally established in Gillette, Wyoming by founder Sam Clikeman, is renowned for its handcrafted meads and easy-drinking beers. The business has grown to nationwide distribution, including many locations in Sioux Falls, and in Southeast Asia.

Complementing this innovative bar will be Ranch & Roost, a dynamic restaurant offering seriously elevated chicken sandwiches, hand-ground burgers, and specialty appetizers and sides.

Clikeman worked with Van Buskirk commercial broker Autumn Kaufhold to look at sites from southeast Sioux Falls to downtown before settling on Lake Lorraine. The 9,500 sqft, two-story project will feature indoor-outdoor seating and further enhance the growing destination for Sioux Falls residents and visitors.

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