Isn’t it Lovely to Take a Historic Business to the Next Level? Special Guest: Nick Heineman
“The mission is high quality and customer satisfaction.”
Following a years-long love affair with Look’s Marketplace, an iconic Sioux Falls institution, Rachel and Tracy are elated to welcome co-owner Nick Heineman to the podcast to discuss the history, values, and other behind the scenes tidbits of this beloved market. Nick shares how, together with his fellow owner (and cousin!) Beau Vondra, they assembled a talented team and expanded the business from 4,000 to 17,000 square feet to include a butchery, specialty grocery store, deli, restaurant, bakery, brewery, and creamery…a mere four months before a worldwide pandemic turned everything upside down. Nick talks about the resiliency and strength of his staff and the loyalty of customers, while Tracy celebrates Look’s Marketplace’s featured spot on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Rachel confesses to almost crashing someone’s job interview to tell them how much they will love working at Look’s, before realizing that, despite her frequent visits, she is not, in fact, a Look’s employee.
Episode Mentions:
Look’s Marketplace Website: https://www.looksmarket.com/
Look’s Marketplace Instagram: @looksmarketsf
Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives Episode “Savory Meat and a Little Sweet”
Quote: “Help like you want to be helped.” - Basketball Announcing Team Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy
Open Space Event Hall Website: https://www.openspaceforrent.com/
Open Space Event Hall Instagram: @openspacesiouxfalls
Look’s Marketplace co-owner and Sioux Falls native Nick Heineman graduated with a finance degree from The University of Notre Dame before heading to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago, where he graduated at the top of his class. Following a career that spanned everything from working with 3-star chefs to purchasing, Nick returned to Sioux Falls in 2007 to take over Look’s Marketplace, alongside his cousin and business partner Beau Vondra. He and his wife Renee live in Sioux Falls with their children.