Native Sun News: Trading post manager retires after 28 years


Nancy Witt and Michael Lekberg standing outside of Sioux Trading Post in Rapid City, South Dakota. Photo by Richie Richards

Prairie Edge manager retires after 28 years
By Richie Richards
Native Sun News Staff Writer

RAPID CITY –– After nearly three decades and countless memories, Sioux Trading Post Manager, Michael Lekberg of Prairie Edge Trading Co. and Galleries in downtown Rapid City is retiring.

The Sioux Trading Post (STP) opened its doors in Detroit, Mich. in 1957, when Native American arts and crafts enthusiasts Dennis and Rosemary Lessard decided to begin a business to feature the work of American Indians they had met in Indian Country.

In 1963, the Lessards had moved the Sioux Trading Post to Mission, on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and in 1986, Ken and Cathy Vogele purchased STP. As residents of Rapid City, the Vogeles opened a second STP location in the largest city in western South Dakota in 1990.

Michael Lekberg began his career with Sioux Trading Post back in the late 1980’s while the business was still located in Mission. There he began to learn the business of appraising and purchasing crafts and craft supplies under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Vogele.

When Sioux Trading Post opened its doors in Rapid City, Lekberg “sort of just came with the store,” he shared with Native Sun News in a recent interview.



Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: Prairie Edge manager retires after 28 years

(Contact Richie Richards Managing Editor at editor@nsweekly.com)

Copyright permission Native Sun News

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