In the tapestry of local Sioux Falls history, the name Sunshine Foods evokes memories of community, quality, and innovation in grocery shopping. Originating in the early 1930s, Sunshine Foods began as the vision of George E. Sercl, a Nebraskan meat vendor with an entrepreneurial spirit. Observing the local mercantile scene, Sercl recognized an opportunity to create a grocery experience that would resonate with the growing Sioux Falls community. This vision materialized in 1931 with the opening of the first Sunshine store, a modest establishment strategically located near the intersection of 10th Street and Phillips Avenue. This marked the humble beginnings of what would become a beloved local grocery chain.
From its inception, Sunshine Foods distinguished itself through strategic location choices and savvy marketing. Sercl understood the power of advertising, regularly featuring competitive prices and store highlights in the Argus Leader. In an era dominated by smaller, specialized shops – dry goods stores, bakeries, and butcher shops – Sunshine Foods embraced the burgeoning concept of one-stop shopping, anticipating the evolving needs of consumers.
A historical image depicting the original Sunshine Foods grocery store located at 10th Street and Phillips Avenue in Sioux Falls, highlighting its early presence in the community.
The expansion of Sunshine Foods was rapid and ambitious. Just a year after the first store’s opening, Sercl unveiled a second location in 1932 at 11th Street and Grange Avenue. This new store was significantly larger than its predecessor and indeed, larger than any grocery store Sioux Falls had seen at the time. Its spacious aisles were so remarkable that locals playfully nicknamed it “the west-side roller rink,” a testament to its innovative design and customer-centric layout. Notably, the 11th and Grange location was considered the western edge of town, strategically positioning Sunshine Foods to serve a wider customer base.
Sercl continued to push the boundaries of grocery store design with his next venture at 26th Street and Minnesota Avenue. Opened in October 1934, this store was architecturally unique, featuring a lamella roof – an arched structure constructed from criss-crossing timbers. This innovative roof design eliminated the need for internal columns or beams, creating an unobstructed and even more spacious shopping environment with exceptionally wide aisles. Complementing the expansive store interior were two parking lots capable of accommodating 100 cars, a significant amenity in that era and a clear indication of Sunshine Foods’ commitment to customer convenience.
An archival photograph showcasing the distinctive lamella roof design of the Sunshine Foods store at 26th Street and Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls, emphasizing its architectural innovation and spacious interior.
Further solidifying its position as a forward-thinking grocery provider, Sunshine Foods opened its fourth store in November 1937 at 12th Street and First Avenue. This location continued the established Sunshine theme of prioritizing space, wider aisles, and ample parking. This aggressive expansion was particularly noteworthy considering it occurred during the Great Depression, demonstrating the resilience and popularity of the Sunshine Foods model. Mirroring the self-service trend gaining traction in retail, these new stores adopted a largely self-service format, with the exception of specialized departments like the fruit and meat counters, which offered personalized service.
The growth trajectory of Sunshine Foods continued into the 1940s with the opening of the store at 7th Street and Main Avenue in July 1941. This period marked a significant development for Sunshine as it joined the Piggly Wiggly franchise system. Becoming part of this national network provided Sunshine Foods with enhanced buying power and access to Piggly Wiggly’s resources, including shelf fixtures designed to improve product presentation and appeal. Furthermore, the affiliation granted access to Piggly Wiggly’s food testing labs, ensuring quality control and bolstering customer trust in “sunshine foods”.
A vintage image capturing the storefront of the Sunshine Foods location at 7th Street and Main Avenue in Sioux Falls around 1941, reflecting the brand’s established presence and visual identity.
By this time, Sunshine Foods had expanded beyond Sioux Falls, establishing locations in Kimball, Mitchell, and Sioux City, Iowa. In 1944, recognizing the need for logistical support for this growing regional chain, Sunshine Foods commissioned Harold Spitznagel to design a warehouse near 15th Street and Sixth Avenue. Constructing a large warehouse during wartime was a challenging endeavor due to resource constraints, highlighting the company’s determination and long-term vision. Following the war, new Sunshine Foods stores in Sioux Falls were put on hold until 1952.
The post-war era saw a renewed expansion phase for Sunshine Foods. Stores at 10th and Wayland (1952) and East 10th and Cleveland (1960) opened their doors to meet the evolving needs of Sioux Falls’ expanding population. Interestingly, the original Sunshine store at 10th and Phillips quietly closed during this period, a consequence of limited parking and lack of space for expansion in the increasingly car-centric and competitive retail landscape. Further expansion followed with stores at 12th and Kiwanis (1961) and Eighth and Spring (1966). In 1971, George Sercl Sr. retired, passing the leadership baton to his son, George Jr., who had been actively involved in the business since 1960 and served as treasurer from 1969.
In 1977, capitalizing on the development of The Empire Mall, Sunshine Foods opened a store at 41st and Louise Avenue, adapting to the shifting retail geography of Sioux Falls. Further modernizations included a new East 10th Street location in 1987, replacing the older 10th and Cleveland store, and the construction of the largest Sunshine Foods store to date at 10th and Kiwanis in 1990, replacing the 12th and Kiwanis location which lacked expansion potential.
By 1996, George Jr. decided to retire, facing a pivotal decision in the increasingly competitive Sioux Falls grocery market. He weighed the options of significant expansion or selling the business. Ultimately, he opted for the latter. Minneapolis-based Nash-Finch, owners of Econofoods, and Gordy’s Inc., another family-owned grocery chain from Worthington, Minnesota, acquired the five remaining Sunshine Foods stores in Sioux Falls, marking the end of an era for local ownership.
Today, a single Sunshine Foods store endures in Sioux Falls. The venerable location at 12th and First Avenue, still functional and serving the community, proudly carries the Sunshine name, albeit with a modernized logo. This remaining store stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Sunshine Foods and its significant contribution to the grocery landscape of Sioux Falls, reminding residents of the brand that once defined “sunshine foods” and grocery shopping in their city.
A contemporary photograph of the remaining Sunshine Foods store at 12th Street and First Avenue in Sioux Falls, illustrating the brand’s continued presence and adaptation in the modern grocery market.
