Aberdeen’s Burger King is again serving Whoppers, fries, sodas and more.
The restaurant opened the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 7.
It could have been sooner except the final details had to be put in place so credit card transactions could be processed, said Jen Dirk, owner and operator of Dakota Restaurant Partners.
Dirk said she hopes customers are excited to once again enjoy a burger and will have a little patience as the staff finds its rhythm.
During an interview at the Aberdeen restaurant on Tuesday, Feb. 6, now open flags were being assembled. They went up the next day, welcoming customers to the restaurant that temporarily closed at the end of September.
A team of nearly 50 workers has been hired, said General Manager Heather Moberley.
“We’re going to do it right,” Dirk said.
She worked for the company that previously operated the Aberdeen Burger King and about 130 others. That company ended up over leveraged and filed for bankruptcy, she said.
As the stores were sold, Dirk and her business partners, Ayaz Virji and Neeraj Paul, purchased the 14 Burger Kings in the North Dakota group, which included the Aberdeen; Sydney, Mont.; and Park Rapids, Minn. restaurants.
MORE: Business roundup: February openings include LaRue’s, Heads to Tails pet boutique
The restaurants have been slowly reopening with about a dozen up and running, Dirk said.
With a 31-year history at Burger King, Dirk said she wants to see the Aberdeen restaurant get more involved in the community.
She also has plans to improve landscaping and said the Aberdeen store will see a local investment with new equipment and an interior remodel likely in the coming years.
“We want to make it more inviting,” Dirk said.
Moberley moved to Aberdeen to manage Burger King in early September and was making improvements before the store closed, Dirk said. While many of the employees are new, Moberley said there are seven who have been working in Jamestown, N.D., and plan to return to Aberdeen.
Agtegra purchases Tyndall, Mitchell ag facilities
Agtegra Cooperative has announced the purchase of the two Aurora Cooperative agronomy facilities in South Dakota.
They are in Mitchell and Tyndall, according to a news release from Agtegra. Aurora Cooperative is based in Nebraska. The purchase is expected to be finalized by the end of the month.
Agtegra and Aurora will be working on a seamless transition at both locations with existing Aurora employees transitioning to work for Agtegra, per the release.
MORE: Aberdeen City Council approves $1.75M purchase of former Presentation property
“We are excited to expand our industry-leading agronomy products, services and programs in the Mitchell and Tyndall communities. The addition of these two locations will allow us to serve our current customers more efficiently and expand into new markets that complement our current footprint and offerings,” said Daryl Molskness, Agtegra senior vice president of agronomy, in the release.
Headquartered in Aberdeen, Agtegra has more than 70 locations and 850 employees.
News and notes
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Mayor Travis Schaunaman will be presenting the state of the city address at the March Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce Community Affairs Luncheon. Schaunaman’s talk is at noon on Thursday, March 7 at the Best Western Ramkota, 1400 Eighth Ave. N.W. The cost is $30 for chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. Call 605-225-2860 by March 4 to register.
- The Aberdeen chamber is hosting a campaign school for people interested in pursuing an elected office. The class is Wednesday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and covers the basics of planning a campaign, fundraising, media, contacting voters and research. The cost is $50. Space is limited, so advanced registration is required by March 22.
- The outdoor ice skating rinks at Lincoln and Manor parks closed for the season on Thursday, Feb. 7. The indoor skating rink remains available at the Odde Ice Arena.
- A grand opening is planned for Monstera Esthetics, 424 S. Main St., on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- WEB Water Development Association was recognized by the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems as having the best-tasting drinking water in South Dakota. The award was given at the state association’s annual conference in Pierre. Entries were judged on clarity, bouquet and taste. WEB’s water will now compete among national entries in Washington, D.C., in 2025.