Creating new memories: Wausa cafe opens under new ownership
Trisha Benton
for the Wausa Gazette
WAUSA — One of Kelly Ferdig’s favorite childhood memories is biting into a fresh, homemade “Long John” donut at the Wausa Cafe.
Fast forward 40 years and she’s enjoying the cafe in a different way — her first bite into business.
Kelly, and her husband, Chris, purchased the longstanding downtown cafe, and officially opened their doors to customers Wednesday as Smokin Chip’s Cafe & BBQ.
The name comes from Chris’ nickname, “Chip” from a humorous chip shot he made on the golf course.
The recently married couple had talked about purchasing the cafe for awhile as both have an entrepreneurial streak.
Chris owned Ferdig’s Transmission in Yankton, S.D., for 16 years before moving to Wausa in 2020. He also served as a City of Yankton commissioner for six years. Kelly’s parents owned Marc’s Place bar (now known as Bill’s Place) and Mr. G’s mini-mart in town, so she grew up in a business-minded family.
Kelly helped out at the mini mart from time to time but her favorite place has always been behind the stove. She most recently worked in the kitchen at Wausa Care & Rehabilitation Center until it closed last year.
“I love to cook. I just felt that the kitchen - that was my place to be,” she said.
Making traditional breakfast is her favorite, but you’ll also find plenty for lunch and dinner at Smokin Chip’s.
The cafe’s menu will include staples like burgers and fries but also add in the Ferdig’s specialties - smoked pork, beef, hotdogs and sausage. They carry that smoked flavor into baked beans and mac ‘n’ cheese for savory side dishes.
Chris loves to bake so he’ll be dishing up dessert like fresh baked pie and cheesecake, made from his own grandmother’s recipes.
Along with changes to the menu, the cafe also won’t look the same to regulars.
“We went in there and it was just, where do we start? A lot, a lot of work was to be done,” Ferdig said.
They contemplated on how to design the new space and just decided to start fresh with new flooring, refinishing counters, new kitchen equipment — the works. The feel of the small-town cafe will be the same, but with some updated farmhouse country decor and the capacity to serve up to 48 people.
There’s been some buzz in the community, awaiting the opening of the cafe. Many, like Ferdig, have recalled memories of their time at the cafe and can’t wait to create new memories in the new space.
“People have been very excited and saying, ‘It’s about time we have a good place to sit down and eat again.’ It’s finally becoming a reality,” she said. “We’re lucky to have such support from our Wausa community. Any business owner — new or old — our town supports us all.”
Smokin Chip’s Cafe & BBQ is open for breakfast and lunch (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Wednesdays and Sundays, and for breakfast, lunch and dinner (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Thursday through Saturday. They are closed Monday and Tuesday.
Menu items are available for dine-in or carryout. Gift certificates are also available.
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