If you’re planning a trip to the Capitol City of South Dakota there’s one thing you should know right off the bat. Pierre is pronounced PEER not pee-air. There’s nothing that gives your outsider status away quicker than pronouncing it incorrectly. Now that we have that out of the way, I am so excited to share about a new little coffee shop that has opened up! The owners of The Exchange did a tremendous job modernizing the space while giving it a real hometown feel.
I grew up not far from Pierre. We would spend countless weekends shopping, going to The River (Missouri River, for you non-locals), or meeting friends for coffee. The previous space was home to Pier 347, famous more for its bagels than coffee. The décor had an odd Hawaiian/tropical theme, and often felt cramped and outdated. Considering it was the only coffee shop in town, it was did the job. Now, I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten “big city” snobby by any means, but I was genuinely surprised by the face-lift this shop has gotten. And it has raised the bar for future businesses (I hope).
The Exchange is located on Pierre Street, a little one way street in downtown Pierre. There are quite a few new shops in the area that weren’t there growing up. It’s nice to see things developing! The Alley Exchange, connected to The Exchange, is a public marketplace where businesses from across the state have their items for sale. It’s a great way to see a lot of different businesses under one roof. I’m a total sucker for seeing individuals and businesses invest in small-town America. I hope this is only the beginning for Pierre.
First Impressions of The Exchange
Entering The Exchange, the first thing I noticed was a giant chalk wall asking people to post their favorite song lyrics. I don’t know why, but I love when places ask their patrons to interact; it gives you a sense of ownership. And then you look straight ahead to see a gorgeous display case of goodies opening up to where the magic happens. I happened to arrive during a rush so I had to wait in line a bit, but the staff was efficient and before I knew it I was placing my order. I went with their cold brew made with coconut milk and a pump of vanilla.
It didn’t take long to get my order. We sat down toward the back where there were some comfortable chairs and couches around a coffee table. I could not get over the high ceilings and canvas prints of photographs from local events. There was also a large wall of shelves filled with board games. Overall the shop had a modern, inviting feel to it. I wish I had brought my laptop to do some work after my friends left.
Final Thoughts
My cold brew was good, but I am definitely more of a hot coffee kind of person. I can’t wait to go back and see how their lattes compare to my favorite shops in Rapid City. And, while I’m at it, I probably better try a dessert. The staff was friendly and handled the crowds well. They were also quick to take away empty cups or offer water. Selfishly, I wish they opted for music over the TV in the corner. I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that wasn’t the norm.
I make trips to Pierre several times throughout the year to visit family and friends. The Exchange makes me excited to have a place to catch up with a decent cup of coffee. If you find yourself in Pierre, I’d highly recommend paying a visit! They are open 7-5:30 most days. On Thursdays they stay open until 9:00. They are closed on Sundays.