“Home Is Wherever Your Heart Is”
Interview by Doreen Nelson
Written by Johanna Allen
 
Jeff and Denise Del Favero never expected that a stop in Mitchell, South Dakota would lead them to a place they would one day call home. Married for nearly ten years, they share a blended and close-knit family: Julie (39), Jeffrey (37), Michael (33), Kayla (27), and their beloved son Nicholas, who they remember as “Forever 22” after he went to Heaven seven years ago. Denise was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and moved frequently throughout the state, while Jeff was born in Milwaukee, raised in Meriden, Connecticut, and later attended Norwich University in Vermont, the oldest private military school in the country. Their paths crossed when both were working as commercial real estate agents in Connecticut, and what began as a professional connection soon grew into a life filled with adventure.

In July 2020, Jeff and Denise made the decision to leave Connecticut, sell nearly everything, and go on a full-time RV journey in their Tiffin motorhome, sharing their experiences through their “Turtle Express RV Life” pages. During that period, Jeff met Brian and Vanessa Klock during Daytona Bike Week after a mutual friend invited him to join a dinner gathering. The Klocks, then expecting their son Kargo, encouraged the Del Faveros to stop in Mitchell if their travels ever brought them to South Dakota. A few months later, in August 2020, they arrived for what they thought would be a quick dinner. One night turned into attending the community’s Pre-Sturgis Party and even joining the Klock’s in Sturgis. Their connection with the Klock family deepened quickly, and over the next two years of RV travel, they continued to meet up across the country, from California to Tennessee to Florida and South Dakota.

When Jeff and Denise began working with Klock Werks in January 2022, they planned to spend only the summer at Lake Mitchell Campground. But Mitchell’s charm quickly worked its magic. They were drawn in by the friendly small-town atmosphere and the welcoming community that made them feel like they had stepped into a Hallmark movie. As fall approached that year, they realized they weren’t ready to leave. Instead, they purchased a home just outside the city limits. Their first winter was beautiful but intense, especially during stretches when wind chills dipped to -40°F.

What has made Mitchell truly special for them is the community. Even though they weren’t from the area, locals embraced them with open arms. They quickly became active participants in community life, attending First Fridays, concerts, circus performances, car shows, rodeos at the Corn Palace, and countless events downtown. Their very first Mitchell event was the Pre-Sturgis Party back in 2020, and the memories from that night still hold deep meaning. Jeff has since joined Rotary and now serves as Vice President of the Pickleball Association, while both have become active members of RiverTree Church. Denise enjoys women’s events and Bible studies there, and Jeff’s passion for baking flourished after attending a sourdough class at Havens Farm with Michaela Doerr.

In late 2023, their Mitchell story added a new chapter when they learned that Koinonia Kafe on Main Street was for sale. With encouragement from Matt Doerr, who, as they joke, seems to always open doors for them, they made an offer that the Waldner family generously accepted. After closing on the building and business on March 31, they refreshed the space and reopened it as Bread & Vine Bistro on April 11. Denise manages the café while Jeff oversees the building and runs a growing bakery in the back, making sourdough loaves, pizza dough, granola, muffins, cookies, and more. Their years in real estate, home staging, construction, and development prepared them for this new venture, which has become a source of joy and connection on Mitchell Main Street.

When they reflect on their favorite places, experiences, and flavors in the city, the list is long. They love Main Street, the Corn Palace, and Mitchell Area Community Theatre, and when they aren't at their own bistro, they enjoy meals at Adamo’s, especially the homemade pasta. They consider the Corn Palace a must-see for visitors and still recall the Pre-Sturgis Party as their most memorable local event. They appreciate the walkability, the eclectic shops, the new businesses like Palace City Brewing and Atomik Komics, and the recent improvements that have made downtown even more vibrant.

Their advice to newcomers is simple: be present, embrace the small-town charm, engage with the community, and explore the many events and activities Mitchell has to offer. They loved arriving with no expectations and discovering the community’s gifts one by one. The only thing Jeff wishes he had known ahead of time was just how extreme the winters can be. Still, despite the cold, they say they have never felt more at home anywhere else. If they could change one thing about life in Mitchell, it would simply be having milder winters, “20 degrees warmer,” Jeff jokes. For them, Mitchell has become a place of connection, purpose, and unexpected joy, summed up perfectly in their own words: “Home is wherever your heart is. There is so much to love about Mitchell.”