The Secret of a Family's Roadside Bakery

A Unique Bakery Stand Born from a Family Dream

In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the summer months often bring out lemonade stands, but this year, a different kind of stand has captured the attention of locals. Meikamp Brothers Bakery and Co. has taken root along Slip Up Creek Road and now also operates at the Lake Lorraine Farmer’s Market. This unique venture began with a simple idea from young boys who dreamed of sharing their family's pastries with the community.

Savannah Meikamp, the mother of the three boys behind the bakery, shared how the idea came about. “I work for a family-owned business that has been making pastry dough and frozen pastries for 30 years,” she explained. “My kids have always had access to these pastries, but no one in town really got to try them. It was actually my kids’ idea to start a bake stand on the side of our road using the pastries.”

The brothers running the stand are 7-year-old Ryver, 5-year-old Miles, and almost 2-year-old Ollie. Though they may be camera shy, Miles was happy to share his favorite pastry: “The cinnamon rolls.” While the cinnamon rolls are a hit, it was the chocolate croissants that sold out quickly during the first 15 minutes of the farmer’s market opening.

A Growing Business with Unique Offerings

Savannah noted that the response to the pastries has been overwhelming. “It kind of blew up more than I expected,” she said. “People were excited to try something different like palmiers, chocolate croissants, or ‘doughssants’ and some pop tarts. These are clean-label pastries that aren’t commonly found in Sioux Falls, so it’s been a fun experience for everyone involved.”

For the boys, the journey has been both educational and rewarding. They started with an end table in their driveway, waving down cars as they passed. Now, they’re frequently selling out at the farmer’s market. Savannah shared a heartwarming moment when Ryver mentioned the day they started the bake stand as one of his top life moments. “That made me realize how much this means to them,” she said.

Teaching Financial Responsibility and Perseverance

While the boys enjoy the excitement of running the stand, Savannah is also focused on teaching them important life lessons. “I want to instill good financial habits in my kids,” she explained. “When they make money from the bakery, they have to save half of it, and half goes to spending. If they don’t want to work or help me with the pastries that day, they don’t get paid. And if they want to save up for something, they have to use their own money for it.”

This approach helps the boys understand the value of hard work and responsibility. Beyond finances, they're also learning the importance of perseverance. “I always wanted them to know they can do anything they set their mind to, regardless of the effort it takes,” Savannah said. “Seeing them go through tough days—like when it’s storming or no one comes by—and then watching the business grow has been huge for them.”

Expanding the Reach of Meikamp Brothers Bakery

Although the drive-up orders at the Slip Up Creek Road location are no longer available, there are still ways to enjoy the pastries. Customers can place pre-orders for pickup on Fridays and Saturdays at the roadside stand or on Thursdays at the Lake Lorraine Farmer’s Market.

The story of Meikamp Brothers Bakery is more than just about selling pastries—it’s about family, dreams, and the power of determination. As the boys continue to grow their business, they’re not only gaining valuable skills but also creating memories that will last a lifetime.