Aberdeen, SD (2021)
Malchow Plaza was forged in fire. Twice. As of 2021, it’s back to its roots as a downtown gathering space.
Malchow Plaza sits on the site of the old Grain Palace, built in 1893. President McKinley gave a speech there in 1899. The history books say 20,000-30,000 attended, though only 5,000 or so lived in Aberdeen. A year later, Teddy Roosevelt spoke there on McKinley’s 1900 campaign trail. It was a huge town square and a source of community pride before it burned down in 1902.
Then, in 1948, the Malchow family opened a big furniture store where the Grain Palace once stood. It was a friendly place where a guy or gal could buy a solid wood table, or maybe a nice armoire. The Malchows operated the store in its original location until 2019 when another fire burned the exact same half-block in Downtown Aberdeen. Some thought they’d rebuild. Instead, the family began considering new uses for the site.
We preferred the idea of a community centerpiece like the Grain Palace. Just not made of crops. The City liked that idea too, so Malchow Plaza was born.
The new building houses offices, studios for Dakota Broadcasting, and a coffee shop selling South-Dakota-made goods. The outdoor area is flexible and welcoming with a raised garden island and murals by local artists. Folks can enjoy farmers markets, concerts, and even car shows there. Or, on a typical summer day, they can just eat their lunch and get some fresh air. Either way, the plaza drums up traffic for nearby businesses and adds to the momentum of Downtown Aberdeen.
Malchow Plaza is a win for the community. Small but mighty. Feel free to read more here.
