Je s s e B r o w n N e l s o n l R e s ti n g Pa w z l R o a m ' n Ar o u n d
FEBRUARY 2022
BARK CITY
Rapid City's business community gets 4-paws up for pet-friendliness
Volume 3 Issue No. 2
THERE ARE NO SICK DAYS ON THE RANCH 365 days a year, no matter the weather, you are preserving a way of life through passion and commitment. You are leaving a legacy for the next generation.
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
At Monument Health, we believe protecting your health and well-being is just as important as preserving your way of life.
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Monument Health offers preventive care options that help detect and prevent serious diseases and medical issues before they become major problems. You are constantly navigating a variety of occupational risks including respiratory diseases, infections, skin cancer, sore bones and muscles, hearing loss, depression, anxiety and disabling injuries. We believe that with proper preventative care and access to knowledgeable health professionals, you can live a long, healthy and productive life.
Stop by our booth in the RODEO ZONE at the 2022 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo to learn more.
monument.health/communityhealthsummit
For those who want to make the most of every transaction.
605.718.1818 | bhfcu.com
Scan to watch our latest commercial!
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We Improve Lives
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PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A
RFG CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE
CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
2021
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1-800-477-2425 ABBUSINESS.COM
FEB. 2022 Volume 3 // Issue No. 2
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BAR K-9
K-9 owners and beer drinkers come together at Uptown Rapid.
BY SHILOH FRANCIS
LUCY IS ROAM'N AROUND
Adventure gear shoppers are greeted by a popular golden doodle.
BY MAIN STREET SQUARE
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RESTING PAWZ
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BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI
Residents share photos of their four-legged friends enjoying dog-friendly businesses.
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Adventurous pup guides photographer's career path and on hiking trails.
Dog owners are invited to compete in this exciting winter race.
Sturgis couple’s love for animals motivates them to create respectful end-of-life goodbye.
MARLEY AND ME BY SHILOH FRANCIS
DOGTOWN
K-9 KEG PULL
DEADWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ECONOMIC INDICATORS JANUARY 2022
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 2.3%
AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGES $ 936
ECONOMY RAPID CITY GROSS SALES $ 696,254,674
BUILDING PERMITS 256
NEW HOUSING UNIT PERMITS 163
REAL ESTATE
Rapid City metro statistics
Month-over-month increase
MEDIAN LISTING PRICE $ 379,250
Month-over-month decrease
Monthly comparisons, industry analysis and additional economic indicators available on exclusive investor report.
elevaterapidcity.com
ACTIVE LISTINGS 158
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ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
DOG-FRIENDLY IS THE NEW BLACK
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What do Amazon, Google, Ben & Jerry’s, Glassdoor, and Salesforce all have in common? Sure, they’re fast-growing companies. And certainly, they’re publicly traded. But what if I told you all these companies also allow their employees to bring their dogs to work every day of the year? It turns out that being dog-friendly is the new black. And there’s good reason. Dog-friendly communities and companies are more inviting. And dogs are good for our mental and physical health. It’s thought that dogs and humans sort of co-evolved over hundreds of thousands of years. What started with a wolf looking for a scrap of food near a campfire has evolved today to a dog on YouTube eating truffle (head to the Elevate website if you’d like the link). Not exactly what our ancestors had in mind, but it just goes to show you that our relationship with man’s best friend (or furbaby or pupper or doggo) continues to evolve for the benefit of both parties. And that’s good for everyone. Welcome to this doggy-themed issue of Elevate, where we explore the stories that make the Black Hills area a cool place for our four-legged buddies. While you’re sure to meet some good boys (and girls) in this issue, you’ll also see some of the ways dogs are part of the fabric of the lives of their human companions. You’ll learn about how one business, Bar K-9, combined the two hippest trends in urbanism, beer pubs and dog parks, into one business. You’ll also read the story of Resting Pawz, who gives dog owners in the area a way to remember the connection they’ve had to their former pets. And then there’s the story of the adventure pup Marley, who keeps her human companion (and professional photographer) always on the go. In the end, we could have filled five magazines with these kinds of stories, but we only had so much room. Hopefully, this issue inspires you and your own good buddy to get out of the house and enjoy the Black Hills, with a beer, on a trail, or maybe with an easy drive with the windows down. Stay safe and Dog-speed,
Tom Johnson, President & CEO
Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant. PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 elevaterapidcity.com PRESIDENT & CEO Tom Johnson FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Dana Borowski ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt Brunner MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shiloh Francis PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Anna Hays SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & INVESTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR Brandis Knudsen WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & TALENT ATTRACTION DIRECTOR Samantha McGrath ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Mitch Nachtigall EVENTS & TRAINING MANAGER Rachel Day CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER Andy Greenman BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION MANAGER Larissa Hespen ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER Loni Reichert PUBLIC POLICY MANAGER Garth Wadsworth OFFICE MANAGER & HR COORDINATOR Liz Highland HOUSING COORDINATOR Laura Jones EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Becky Knox
DESIGN AND LAYOUT Andy Greenman PUBLISHED BY THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL Bill Masterson, Publisher, bill.masterson@bhmginc.com ADVERTISING Eddie Hebron, 605.394.8356 ehebron@amplifieddigitalagency.com PRINTED BY SIMPSONS PRINTING
EVENTS
COMMENTS
JANUARY 28-29
RAPID CITY YOUTH COUNCIL
SNOCROSS
Days of '76 Rodeo Grounds deadwood.com
JANUARY 28-FEBRUARY 5
SNOCROSS
BLACK HILLS STOCK SHOW & RODEO®
Thank you for making your voices heard! - Cedric Collinge
February 5
What great news. Times are changing and what a powerful way to help our community value everyone’s voice. - Paula Wilkinson Smith
The Monument, Fine Arts Theatre themonument.live
Love seeing our youth vocalize opinions and ideas in the youth council. - Jenna Carda
February 10-11
TEEN MOM HELPS STATE EARN $2.9 MILLION
Central States Fairground/ The Monument blackhillsstockshow.com
JOSH ABBOTT BAND
RAPID CITY RUSH VS. WICHITA THUNDER PARKER MCCOLUM
I did this in high school as well. Great program. It really gave me the foundation to understand and be involved in local government. - Mary Glee
The Monument themonument.live
February 11-13
BLACK HILLS SPORTS SHOW AND OUTDOOR EXPO The Monument bhsportsshow.com
February 18
Dessa is a rock star! - Stephenie Rittberger
CONNECT
WITH US @ELEVATERAPIDCITY
#ELEVATERAPIDCITY
PARKER MCCOLLUM
The Monument, Summit Arena themonument.live
February 18-28
BLACK HILLS FILM FESTIVAL
Numerous theaters filmfestivalflix.com
February 20
Storybook Island monument.health/february-freeze
February 26
NEMO 500 OUTHOUSE RACES NEMO 500
nemo500.com
johnnysundbyphoto_ Jason Thorstenson geared up for a great photo shoot on Bogus Jim Rd. #elevaterapidcity Tag your social media posts with #elevaterapidcity for your chance to be featured in the next magazine!
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FEBRUARY FREEZE 5K
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"WE NEEDED A PLACE THAT OUR DOGS COULD BURN OFF ENERGY SAFELY NO MATTER THE WEATHER."
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
- EMILY BATMAN
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YOU DON'T NEED A DOG TO ENJOY A BEER K-9 OWNERS and beer drinkers come together at UPTOWN RAPID It was a cold winter night. Jared and Emily had plans to meet with friends at a local brewery. They put on their coats, grabbed their keys, and were about to be on their way. As they closed the door, they couldn’t help the pang of guilt that settled in. They looked back, only to be met with the sad eyes of their dog, Mya. Their trusty sidekick. Their first “kid.” The one who would never leave their side couldn’t understand why she was being left behind. It was at that moment an idea was planted in Jared’s mind. There had to be a way to continue enjoying local brews with their friends without being forced to leave their dog behind.
elevaterapidcity.com
STORY AND PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS
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ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
- EMILY BATMAN
A FETCHING IDEA “We love how dog-friendly Rapid City is,” Jared Batman expressed (yes, it’s pronounced like Batman, Batmobile not included). Both he and his wife Emily grew up in Rapid City. After spending some time east of the river, they both knew they wanted to return to the Hills. “People are friendly, and there’s plenty to do,” added Emily. And while there are plenty of dog-friendly breweries and dog parks in Rapid City, there was still a need to be filled. “We love being able to take our dogs with us to local breweries like Zymurcracy and Lost Cabin, but when the weather gets too hot or cold, they have to stay home,” Emily explained. “We needed a place that our dogs could burn off energy safely no matter the weather.” Having worked as a vet tech previously, Emily prioritized the safety and health of her dogs. Meanwhile, Jared always knew he wanted to own his own business someday. The “what” was the only thing standing in his way. So, what happens when a business major and vet tech fall in love and have a dog with the saddest puppy eyes you’ve ever seen? Bar K-9.
elevaterapidcity.com
"WE LOVE BEING ABLE TO TAKE OUR DOGS WITH US TO LOCAL BREWERIES LIKE ZYMURCRACY AND LOST CABIN, BUT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS TOO HOT OR COLD, THEY HAVE TO STAY HOME."
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PUPTOWN FUNK Several years had passed from that initial winter evening. Jared would spend hours at his job in sales and marketing consulting, dreaming of what would eventually become Bar K-9. He knew there needed to be beer (local, of course). It was essential to create an intentional space for dogs to play. And it needed to be fully inside. Whether it is due to ice or sidewalks so hot you could cook an egg—the weather should not impact the opportunity for a dog to run off energy. Meanwhile, Emily had also transitioned careers after the birth of their oldest son. Through her role at Uptown Rapid (formerly Rushmore Mall), she learned of a space coming available that felt like the perfect fit for what Jared had been thinking. Suddenly, what started as a simple idea, was closer to reality.
UPTOWN RAPID
Bar K-9 is located inside the JCPenney wing at Uptown Rapid (formerly Rushmore Mall) bark9dogpark.com 605.415.2766
BARK BOWL
Bar K-9 Bark Bowl Red Ruffnecks vs. Blue Ballhogs February 19 // 2:00 p.m.
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE BLACK HILLS
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EMILY AND JARED BATMAN WITH MAVERICK AND MYA
The HSBH is an open admission shelter that manages more than 5,000 animals each year with the help of donors, community support, and hundreds of volunteers.
NO BONES ABOUT IT In Fall 2019, Jared told Emily it was time to make their idea a reality. The location seemed right. Their business plan felt solid. “I was excited,” Emily said as she thought about her initial reaction. “But I was also a bit nervous because I was pregnant.” They worked hard. And learned a lot along the way. “Things as simple as what floor to put in took a lot of research,” recalled Jared. Again, their priority was the safety of the dogs. They needed flooring dogs could run and play on safely, while also being easy to clean and sanitize when accidents happen. There were dozens of meetings with the city to get the proper approvals. One of the early obstacles was attracting customers. How do you explain something so new and innovative? To get people to see the need when, for years, they’ve “made do” without it. “It took time,” Emily recalled. And there would be challenges no one could predict.
GENERAL CONTRACTING
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1314 FOUNTAIN PLAZA DRIVE, RAPID CITY, SD
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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
605-342-3787
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RCSCONST.COM
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Sturgis Brewing Company
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"BOTH OUR DOGS ARE RESCUES. IT IS AN AREA CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS, SO WE WANT TO GIVE BACK AS MUCH AS WE CAN." - EMILY BATMAN
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
Take, for example, the weather. January and February of that year was unseasonably warm. While most locals rejoiced, it was a blow to Bar K-9. “We would go from a great day of customers to almost nobody,” said Jared. “It was hard not to take it personally and question if people even liked the idea.” Just as it seemed their idea was gaining momentum, and they were building up their clientele, Rapid City businesses were locked down in response to the pandemic. It was a hurdle no one could have anticipated. “It was scary, but our community is so amazing,” Emily shared. People purchased gift cards and maintained their memberships to rally around the business.
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DOG DAYS ARE HERE Two years and many changes later, Bar K-9 continues to serve as a safe space for dogs, owners, and dog-lovers of all kinds. One of Jared’s favorite parts? “We love how happy people are when they’re here.” You don’t have to have a dog to enjoy Bar K-9. Many employees at the mall will find themselves coming by after their shift to see the dogs and get a few tail wags. “It really is a stress relief,” said Emily. In addition to local brews and plenty of space for dogs, Bar K-9 has sought ways to give back to the community. “Both our dogs are rescues,” said Emily. “It is an area close to our hearts, so we want to give back as much as we can.” They’ve filled the calendar with events like a HOWL-oween party and photos with Santa. Petsgiving served as a donation drive for the Humane Society of the Black Hills. ▤
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ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
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"OUR GOAL IN STARTING THIS BUSINESS IS TO PROVIDE A PEACE OF MIND AS THE PET OWNER IS GOING THROUGH SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME." - DAVID FINN
Resting pawz Sturgis couple’s love for animals motivates them to create respectful end-of-life goodbye Chandra Finn remembers the vet’s sterile office, cold tile floor and lack of dog bed—a depressing atmosphere for her and her husband David’s final goodbye to their beloved dog. Their experience worsened as they handed over their family member. “We send them away to get cremated, and we don’t know what happens to them. No one could really answer that question; even the people who were doing the cremation,” Chandra said. The Sturgis couple has cremated three dogs and are unsure if the ashes they have are truly those of their furry family members. “They take your pet away and you just get a box back,“ Chandra said. “How do I know I am getting my pet back?” The lives of Chandra and David have always included animals. Both grew up surrounded by a variety of family pets from dogs and cats to snakes and turtles. “Ever since I can remember we had dogs, horses, cats, chickens, goats. My dad had sheep. You really get emotionally invested with them, all of them,” Chandra said. “Dave was the same way. He would always go to the pound and rescue puppies, and he had an aquarium full of snakes and turtles.” So, a few years ago when the couple was
contemplating a business idea that would take them through retirement, they turned to their passion for animals and the problems they experienced with cremation. “All of our animals inspired us to create Resting Pawz. When we were cremating our dogs, we would always make the comment that we wished something was available that was a little better of a place,” Chandra said. In October, Chandra and David opened Resting Pawz Pet Cremation in Black Hawk where they offer 24/7 pet cremation with a focus on providing a respectful and dignified final goodbye for both pet and owner. “Our goal in starting this business is to provide a peace of mind as the pet owner is going through such a difficult time, and to let people know they have choices,” David said. The Finns debated the idea of a pet crematorium for years before finally starting the process in October 2020. They had other business ventures, including a concrete company, and dabbled in network marketing, however, none of those felt right and required the couple to continue working their fulltime jobs. Resting Pawz filled a need within the community while providing Chandra
elevaterapidcity.com
BY MICHELLE PAWELESKI // PHOTOS BY ANDY GREENMAN
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and David a business they felt passionate about. “It was a different calling than the rest of the things we did,” Chandra said. While David still works full time with Murphy Petroleum, Chandra quit her job at Northern Hills Eye Care to focus on the business full time – a move that at first made her nervous. “It was a really great place to work, and it was my comfort zone, and then going into something totally unknown,” she said. “But it was a good decision. I wake up every morning and am just happy to be doing what I am doing.” The Finns’ mission is to create a funeral home-like atmosphere where they offer a variety of services and options tailored to each pet owners wishes. “We want to bring that level of dignity, respect, caring, and compassion from the minute you walk into the door until you pick up your pet.” Kincade’s Funeral Chapel in Sturgis mentored the couple through the entire process and still provides guidance. “They have been a great resource and example of professionalism,” Chandra said.
RAISE THE WOOF
All the urns are handmade by local artist Ray Ryan from Lead/ Deadwood
Hard to cope
Cope, the couple’s German Shorthaired Pointer, was the first animal they cremated at Resting Pawz.
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
REST IN PEACE
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Resting Pawz is located at 11630 Quaal Road in Blackhawk. THE FINNS WITH THEIR TWO GERMAN SHORTAIRS, 6-MONTH-OLD SAWYER AND 13-YEAR-OLD WINDY.
restingpawz.com 605.206.0024
"I WANTED THE FAREWELL ROOM TO BE COMFORTABLE FOR EVERYONE."
Chandra and David offer a warm, homey farewell room complete with a bed where owners can say a final goodbye and where veterinarians can euthanize a pet offering a neutral, anxiety-free location. “I wanted the farewell room to be comfortable for everyone, not cold and callous,” Chandra said. “I think it is an important part of the grieving process to have this happen and that is why we created the farewell room.” The Finns have also picked up animals from a home or vet’s office. Chandra spends time with each owner to get to know them and their pet. They offer personalized urns along with other memorabilia, as well as an opportunity to write an obituary that is posted on the Resting Pawz website. They specialize in private cremations where one pet is in the cremation machine at a time. However they do offer other options including a partition cremation where multiple pets are separated and tagged with the name providing a system of identifying ashes. They also allow pets to be cremated with their favorite toy, blanket, or other special item. While most people take their pets ashes, some choose to leave
them with the Finns. When that happens, the couple has two locations where they respectfully spread the ashes, one in the Black Hills and one on private prairie land. The Finns provide owners with a certificate of cremation with a paw and nose print, a locket of hair, forget-me-not seeds, and a poem picked out specifically for their pet. Chandra said there are sad stories and grief involved with losing a pet, but her hope is that they give owners a sense of peace knowing their beloved family members were properly cared for. With no human children, the Finns consider their pets their children and understand the pain of losing a family member. “I want owners to feel the love I give to their pet, that their pet meant something,” Chandra said adding that she says a prayer over each one before cremation. Resting Pawz currently serves the Black Hills area, however, Chandra and David’s hope is to provide the service in multiple communities. “When passion and your heart are involved, everything will fall into place,” she said. “I truly believe that and that is exactly what is happening.” ▤
elevaterapidcity.com
- CHANDRA FINN
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ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
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ADVENTUROUS PUP guides photographer's career path and on HIKING trails
BY SHILOH FRANCIS
elevaterapidcity.com
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
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"THE MORE I TRAVELED THE MORE I APPRECIATED, LOVED, AND MISSED MY HOME HERE."
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
- JESSE BROWN NELSON
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Jesse Brown Nelson can remember running through the park as a child. His mom, not far behind, camera in hand, doing her best to capture as many moments of his fleeting childhood as possible. But nothing could compare to the first time he had the chance to press the shutter. He was seated on the tour bus next to his mother. They were greeted by ornately carved bears on the beams of the Bear Country entrance. His mom turned to him and handed him a disposable camera. “I think I filled the entire camera roll before we even left the entrance,” he recalled. “I was instantly hooked.” More than thirty years later, Jesse still hasn’t put the camera down. And thanks to the help of his best girl, Marley, he’s been able to capture the beauty of the Black Hills and beyond in unimaginable ways. Jesse always knew he wanted to work in a photography-related field. After graduating from Central High School he went on to Black Hills State University where he pursued a degree in Mass Communications and Journalism. An avid lover of all things outdoors – hiking, biking, snowboarding, rock climbing – and a strong tie to friends and family, the Black Hills checked a lot of boxes. “The outdoor opportunities are just so accessible here,” Jesse explained. “The ease of access to so many trails means it’s easy to be alone with nature. You’re not stuck waiting at a crowded trailhead like other places.” While he had no intention of moving from the Hills, one thing remained on his list to find: the perfect career. He and a friend were able to combine their love of photography with outdoor adventure to create their own snowboard magazine: Atmosphere Snowboarding. This ended up serving as the launchpad for his first photo-related job with Maverick publishing. He traveled across the United States to cover various motorcycle rallies and to photograph cool and unique bikes. “I would travel as much as ten times a year, but the more I traveled the more I appreciated, loved, and missed my home here.”
edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
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Rick Owen 381-0208
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ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
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How calnveId? get invo
.org/CAREERS
Black Hills Works and BH Services, Inc. are equal opportunity employers and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
"I WASN’T LOOKING FOR A DOG AT ALL, BUT SHE WALKED UP TO ME WITH HER BRIGHT BLUE EYES, AND I WAS HOOKED."
ALONG COMES MARLEY
Jesse was spending a summer working construction. His apartment shared a yard with one of his friends who had a dog that doubled as an escape artist. One wrong escape and a rendezvous with a neighbor’s dog they thought was spayed, and suddenly there were some adorable, fluffy puppies running around this shared yard space. “I wasn’t looking for a dog at all,” Jesse said. He was living in an apartment, working, and traveling after all. “But she walked up to me with her bright blue eyes, and I was hooked.” He spoke with his boss to get the okay for Marley to come to work with him, and not a day has gone by without her by his side. Marley has not only been Jesse’s best friend, but he also credits her for helping him discover his photographic style. “I had
always been more of a roadside photographer before Marley,” he explained. “She was a hyper dog, so it forced me to get out hiking more to help burn off energy. But at the same time it really allowed me to get to know the Black Hills more intimately.” This adventurous pup (who legend says is even part coyote) has led him on more adventures than he could count. There have been run-ins with mountain lions. And she’s befriended goats. “I was busy taking photos one day when I realized I couldn’t find Marley. As I looked around, I saw her sitting on top of a boulder across from a mountain goat. It looked like they were having a conversation!” Marley not only helped Jesse find his path with his photo career but she’s also helped him find his way on the trail. “There was this time in
elevaterapidcity.com
- JESSE BROWN NELSON
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ELEVATE • FEBRUARY 2022
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the Badlands. I knew it was getting dark and started to turn around. When it gets dark out there, everything starts to look the same and I wasn’t completely sure where the trail was,” he recalled. “I was able to rely on Marley and her nose to get us back to the car. I just kept asking her ‘Marley, where’s the car?’ and she led us right there. I always say, when in doubt, follow Marley.” With his incredible talent and eye for photography, Jesse has had several offers over the years that would take him away from the Black Hills. “I’ve never chased the money,” he said, “and I think that’s what keeps me happy in life. I’ve traveled all over, and nothing rivals the beauty that exists here.” It’s not just the Black Hills, family, and friends that make Jesse appreciate living in the area. It’s knowing he has a community that both he and Marley can enjoy. “Rapid City is such a pet-friendly community,” he said. “She gets to come to work with me every day at Evergreen Media. She even has her own couch in the office and only hops down for treats and to greet people that visit.” With six off-leash dog parks, there is a variety of ways to spend their lunch break in town. But with the Hills only a short drive away, they aren’t limited to the dog parks. “Our favorite thing to do is spend our lunch breaks out at Falling Rock enjoying the views.” “There are a lot of businesses, especially downtown, that are dog-friendly,” Jesse added. “In the summer a lot of them even put out water bowls on their patios. I think that’s just so welcoming.” After fourteen years of adventuring together, they may slow down a little. But Jesse’s new puppy, Mya, has brought new energy into the home – with Marley quick to get her back in line. Eventually, Jesse hopes to have his own gallery space in Rapid City, where people can see and purchase his work. And he may even go back to his roots of the snowboarding magazine to someday start his own outdoor adventure magazine for the Midwest. One thing remains certain: no matter where he goes, he’s sure to have his dog by his side, making sure he finds the right trail. ▤
To see Jesse’s work visit jessebrownnelsonphotography.com or check out Jesse Brown Nelson Photography on Facebook and Instagram.
"I WAS ABLE TO RELY ON MARLEY AND HER NOSE TO GET US BACK TO THE CAR." - JESSE BROWN NELSON
Off-leash dog parks RAPID CITY
5 7 2
190
90
3 44
6
16
1
4
1. Braeburn Park
3350 Idlehurst Lane
2. Knollwood Drainage Area
End of Racine Street
3. Memorial Park East
Between East Blvd & 5th Street
4. Robbinsdale Park (posted area)
631 E. Oakland Street
5. Vickie Powers Park (posted area)
940 Kathryn Avenue
6. Wilderness Park (posted area)
514 City Springs Road
7. Bar K-9
Uptown Rapid
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"THE IDEA OF OUTDOOR SHOPS LIKE OURS AND DOGS GO HAND IN HAND."
ELEVATE • FEBRUARY JANUARY 2022 2022
- BRIDGET MACHACEK
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Lucy is Roam’n Around ADVENTURE GEAR SHOPPERS ARE GREETED BY A popular GOLDEN DOODLE
With trails to hike or bike on right in Rapid City’s backyard, locals and visitors can find all their favorite gear for travel and adventures right in the heart of the city. Roam’n Around is Rapid City’s only locally-owned and operated travel and adventure gear shop. From luggage to backpacks, passport covers to guide books, hammocks to climbing gear & everything in between throughout the two-story shop inside Main Street Square. And as you’re sifting through the racks for your perfect size and color, you may find yourself being greeted by everyone’s favorite employee: Lucy the golden doodle. Co-owners Bridget and Jon Machacek always loved the idea of incorporating a shop dog into their business. They are dog owners and know the joy they can bring. 13 years into their business, they knew the time was right to bring some life to the shop. “Our vision was to go to the humane society and adopt a dog but owning a company that had clothing, with the possibility of shedding and allergies, not to mention ensuring the dog had the perfect temperament was going to be key. The idea of outdoor shops like ours and dogs go hand in hand,” explained Bridget.
They first brought Millie into the shop the fall of 2020. Sadly, she passed on Christmas Day 2020 after some unforeseen health issues. “When Millie passed it was very difficult and it took us a long time to prepare ourselves, staff and customers for another pet,” Bridget recalled. “Millie brought life into the store, and everyone enjoyed the way she made us feel,” Jon added. In processing the grief of Millie, they weren’t sure when or if there would be a right time to bring another shop dog into the Roam’n family. But sometimes things are simply meant to be. A sunny day in May 2021 a customer from Sioux Falls came in with their golden doodle puppy. “It had a great demeanor,” Bridget described. They ended up getting in touch with the breeder and got their name on the list. “In mid-October, Lucy came home.” It didn’t take long for the staff and customers to fall in love with her sweet, calm demeanor. Lucy’s fanbase extends beyond the store as regular customers keep an eye on how she is doing by watching on Roam’n Around’s social media pages. “Lucy has her own following and we are incorporating a line of stickers for Lucy
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BY MAIN STREET SQUARE // PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS
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"LUCY HAS HER OWN FOLLOWING AND WE ARE INCORPORATING A LINE OF STICKERS FOR LUCY WITH HER NAME ON IT."
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- JON MACHACEK
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with her name on it. Everyone that comes into the store gives her so much love and she has brought a special feel into the shop,” stated Jon Machacek. “We welcome dogs into the store, and we have some regular customers that bring their dogs in on Saturdays, and they know exactly where the treats are behind the counter and help themselves,” added Machacek. Lucy isn’t the only change that has been happening around the shop in recent years. Nearly two years ago the shop expanded into the former Who’s Game House—allowing for even more space to display product. And, recently, they launched a consignment section. “It’s a great way for people to get quality gear at a price they can afford,” Bridget explained as she shared the new area. “We look forward to continuing to grow this part of the shop.” Lucy and shop animals throughout Rapid City bring personality to businesses that can be felt by any and everyone who enters the store. But it often cannot be just “any” dog. The Machaceks understand finding the right fit is key. “We are fortunate because Lucy has only known the shop, she only knows coming to work every day and has been a quick learner, she has been a great addition to our family here at the store,” said Jon. The next time you need to do any shopping for outdoor needs stop by and see Lucy, she will no doubt be roam’n around.
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4 legged friends OUT on the town JOLLY LANE GREENHOUSE
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