Owner of Love That Shoppe, Betty Wolf first ran an antique store in Dickinson, ND, prior to moving to Belle Fourche in 1989. After moving here, Betty said that in 1992 she saw there were only two antique dealers in town, figured there was room for one more and opened the doors to Love That Shoppe.

Open six days a week, Love That Shoppe offers buy – sell & trade, and boasts a large collection of rare & specialty items. Everything from retired Swarovski crystal animals to collectable comics.

Love That Shoppe recently expanded into the store next door, which Betty is keeping mostly for furniture, and hopes to add new items to the store daily.

Love That Shoppe has claim to fame for being the largest independently owned antique shop in South Dakota.

Business of the Week: Office Emporium LLC & Gone to Pieces Quilt Shop

Tom and Mary Riley purchased the existing Office Emporium from Ferne Wenckus(?) in October of 1996. Since then they have expanded the business to include a quilt shop, services such as providing UPS Shipping, a FedEx drop, and a Western Union Agent.  Mary prides the business as being a “one stop shop; large enough to serve & small enough to care.”

Business of the Week: Express Yourself! at The Olive Branch

A life long resident of Butte County, LaRae Hanson is owner and creator behind Express Yourself!, located in The Olive Branch.

A busy homeschooling mother of two, LaRae had been making her handcrafted greeting cards for herself and friends for several years when she was approached by Deb McCart to join forces with her and a few other creative women to create a co-op that went on to become The Olive Branch. Since then LaRae sells her handmade cards and other creations, taking custom orders, and also offering a selection of Christian books & gifts.

“I make one of a kind cards, rarely making the same design twice. All of my crosses I cut and create myself so no two are alike. I take several custom orders throughout the year and specialize in etching names and brands on glassware. I’ll try any project – once!”

LaRae points to her customers who request special orders for helping grow her creativity and business. “I have wonderful, loyal customers who stretch me to my creative limits in so many areas. I am so thankful for them and their custom orders. This business has been such a blessing to me.”

In the mid-1970’s, in the Northern Hills of South Dakota, there were few options for adults with developmental disabilities.  Because of this, a group of families came together with the desire to start a community in Spearfish to provide residential and work opportunities for people who might otherwise be living in an institution.  In 1976 Northern Hills Training Center was founded as a community based option for supported living and working in the Black Hills.  Four of the original six people supported at NHTC are still living in Spearfish.

The first residential services were based in a four bedroom house at 1005 Canyon Street.  Six months later the first workshop was started in the Snapper’s Club at the city campground.  By that time, there were already between 15 and 20 people receiving support from NHTC.  Over the next three decades, steady demand for services offered by NHTC increased the number of people being supported, and the variety of options for living and working in Spearfish.

The first job placement in a community business was made in 1976.  Since that time, many people have achieved employment, both individually and as part of small crews.  In 1992, NHTC opened the Job Shop, working closely with Rehabilitation Services, to help people with a variety of disabilities to find and gain employment.

In addition to the home at 1005 Canyon, NHTC has built houses at 1015 Canyon and 34^th Street. Apartments have been built on Ryan Road and Hill Street.  Additionally, NHTC supports people in their own homes in Spearfish, Belle Fourche, and Sturgis.  In 2003 the administrative offices of NHTC moved from the eastern edge of Spearfish (their home for nearly 20 years) into new offices on Harvard Street.

Northern Hills Training Center is one of 19 South Dakota Community Support Providers (CSPs), certified by the Division of Developmental Disabilities.   Community Support Providers provide services which may include residential, vocational, service coordination, and nursing care. Community Support Providers provide residential options for people, such as group homes and supervised apartments.  Community living training and residential expanded follow-along are also provided for those who are living on their own or are working toward that goal. Vocational opportunities may include working in the agency workshop, job coaching and pre-vocational training for individuals looking for community jobs and vocational expanded follow-along for those working in the community.    Northern Hills Training Center supports between 143-145 individuals.