It is with a heavy heart that I, and countless others, start this week. Two people who I call friends have left this world in the last few days long before their time.

Dr. Eric Thomas

Eric is a friend, confidant and mentor. We have known each other for about as long as I can remember to the early days of my time at Augustana University. In recent years we became closer. JJ’s was his base of operations for Sioux Falls City FC. Call it his second office. He was instrumental in helping me work through some business complications post-pandemic.

Through work with the soccer team, support for Augustana, free advise on my eyes, an attentive ear when discussing the complicated nature of my business and good conversations about the world in general, I can’t say enough about how much he impacted my life.

But I was certainly not alone. He is a champion for young women. Everyone told him he was crazy to start a professional women’s soccer team, but he and his wife Emily wanted to create a mechanism to breed success in women from all over the world. And they did it.

He is an accomplished eye surgeon. I knew this early on, but did not know the impact he has on so many people in our community because of his skills as a doctor, and his humanity.

Emily, Aiden, Taylor and Payton are his life and his purpose. Everything he has done has been for them and the people around them. Our hearts ache for them and their extended family at Sioux Falls City FC, Opthamology LTD and Augustana University.

We are hosting a celebration of Eric’s life at JJ’s on Tuesday, June 30th from 4pm to 7pm. Anyone impacted by Eric is welcome to come. JJ’s Bar will be closed to the public for the duration of the event.

The family has asked to not send flowers. Instead they would like the money that would be spent on flowers to be sent to the Sioux Falls City FC Foundation to help carry on his legacy. Click here to make a donation – Sioux Falls City FC Foundation (Venmo)

Nicki Ellerbroek

After dealing with the loss of Eric most of the day on Friday, I was blindsided by the loss of another person I call friend.

Nicki and her step-dad, Bob Correa, opened McNally’s Irish Pub in 2006. Right about the same time that we opened JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars in it’s 2.0 location at 57th & Western.

Before all of that, about 30 years ago, I used to provide catering and event work for Bob and Paula at their house when I was with Theo’s. Nicki was in High School at that time.

We continued to provide event work through the years, so I got to watch Nicki grow up into a strong, independent woman.

In 2011, when Jean and I bought JJ’s from the Howes family, Bob was instrumental in helping to make that happen.

Over the years, Nicki and I would have great conversations about business and balance. Nicki is also the mother of two kids and, like myself, often struggled with the the balance needed to raise kids and be a spouse and parent while running a business at the same time.

Our hearts break for Andy, Sophie, Aiden, Bob and Paula. And for everyone who was touched by Nicki.