Where to Buy Local in North + Central Greater Des Moines
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is continuing to look local first when it comes to buying from Greater Des Moines (DSM) shops, restaurants and more this holiday season. By supporting small businesses, the money you spend in the region will stay within the community. This week’s #DSMlocal buying guide is for where to buy local from north and central Chamber of Commerce businesses. This blog post includes local businesses from the following chambers:
Food/Beverage
Aposto (Downtown)
Aposto is founded by Tony Lemmo and open for dining Wednesday through Saturday. Recommendation: Made-From-Scratch Pasta
apostodm.com
Barrel House (FuseDSM)
Newly opened and located in the Historic East Village, Barrel House offers cocktails, burgers, beer and cocktails. Recommendation: Late-Night Half-Price Appetizers
barrelhousepub.com
Chuck’s Restaurant (FuseDSM)
This is where live music accompanies the best Italian dish around in the Highland Park neighborhood. Recommendation: Bruschetta Boats
chucksdsm.com
Fenders Brewing (Go Polk City)
On the square in Polk City, Fenders Brewing is a nano brewery and tap room that’s open Wednesday through Sunday. Recommendation: Paradiddles Pale Ale (also available at Trailside Tap in Ankeny)
fendersbrewing.com
Frutta Bowls (Ankeny)
Find superfoods and smoothies featuring acai, kale and more. Recommendation: Glow Up Smoothies
restaurants.fruttabowls.com/ia/ankeny/1550-n.-ankeny-boulevard
Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)
This contemporary café is open for dine-in or drive-thru. Recommendation: Pumpkin-Shaped Dinner Rolls (Order for your holiday dinner parties!)
mainstreetcafeandbakery.com
Papa’s Pizzeria (Go Polk City)
Papa’s is a pizzeria with plenty of pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches and wraps. Recommendation: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
papas-pizzeria.com
Paws & Pints (Downtown)
Paws & Pints is a bar for dogs and their humans. Visit the indoor and outdoor dog parks, snack kitchen, bar and coffeehouse. Recommendation: Off the Leash Tallboys
pawsandpintsdsm.com
Pie Bird Pies (FuseDSM)
Find a tasty seasonal fruit pie made with local ingredients from Pie Bird Pies in the Drake neighborhood. Recommendation: S’mores Handpies
ignition.ink/pie-bird-pies
Smoothie King (Ankeny)
Smoothie King’s healthy alternatives are full of whole fruits and organic vegetables. Recommendation: 2022’s Holiday Blends (Cinna-nom Limited-Time Flavors including Snickerdoodle and Apple Pie)
smoothieking.com
the creamery (Go Polk City)
A locally owned ice cream shop, the creamery’s flavors are available seven days a week. Recommendation: Apple Crisp
facebook.com/thecreamerypolkcity
Vintage Brewhouse (Ankeny)
Visit this coffee and taproom to visit with friends, hear live music or play a few rounds at Trivia Night. Recommendation: Mocha Smoothie
vintagebrewhouse.com
Retail
Charlotte Louise Mercantile (Ankeny)
This local boutique features furniture, clothing, accessories gifts and more. Recommendation: Cozy Sweaters
charlottelouisemercantile.com
Copy + Paste DSM (FuseDSM)
Find stationery and gifts at this Downtown DSM shop just south of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Recommendation: Pickle Ornament
copyandpastedsm.com
Fleet Feet (Downtown + FuseDSM)
In the Historic East Village, Fleet Feet offer running shoes, apparel and accessories for all types of runners — from beginners to marathoners. Recommendation: Balega Blister Resist No Show Socks
fleetfeet.com
Flowers By Anthony (FuseDSM)
Find flowers for any occasion when delivered to Des Moines, West Des Moines and certain areas of Urbandale and Clive. Recommendation: Peace Lily Plant
flowersbyanthony.com
Historic East Village (FuseDSM)
With shopping, dining, nightlife and more, the Historic East Village is one of Downtown DSM’s most lively neighborhoods. Recommendation: Books by Past DSM Book Festival at Storyhouse Bookpub like Taylor Jenkins Reid or Chuck Klosterman.
eastvillagedesmoines.com
Nook & Nest (Ankeny)
At Nook & Nest, shoppers can find home décor and items perfect for entertaining this holiday season. Recommendation: Candle Garden Kit
nookandnest.com
Wrapped (Ankeny)
Makers from across the country curate goods wrapped in eco-friendly packaging and donates a portion of purchases to nonprofit partners. Recommendation: Wool Blend Blankets
wrappedstore.com
Walls of Books (Ankeny)
Find new and used books in a family-friendly environment at Walls of Books. Recommendation: Holiday Children’s Books
wallsofbooks.net
XoXo Gift & Home (Ankeny)
Home and seasonal décor can be found at XoXo Gift & Home, along with jewelry, cards and more. Recommendation: Nora Fleming Minis
treasurehousegiftsankeny.com
Services
818 (Downtown)
Looking for branding to achieve business goals? 818 offers custom design and digital strategy. Recommendation: Label Design and Illustration
818iowa.com
AIM Kitchen & Bath (DSM West Side)
Bathroom and kitchen remodeling, including finishing touches to create a pulled-together space, is a breeze with the help of AIM. Recommendation: Interior Design Services
aimkitchenbath.com
Aspen Aire (Go Polk City)
Aspen Aire provides residential and commercial installation, service and repair for Ankeny, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ames and Polk County. Recommendation: Whole Home Humidifier Installation
aspenaireinc.com
Children & Families of Iowa (Ankeny)
This local nonprofit serves families throughout the state. Recommendation: Donate Gifts to the Holiday Shop, Host a Donation Drive
cfiowa.org
Dog Training Elite (FuseDSM)
Looking for basic training or service training? Dogs are accepted in individual and group lessons at Dog Training Elite. Recommendation: Training (Get a Free In-Home Evaluation)
dogtrainingelite.com/des-moines
Eventfully Yours (FuseDSM)
Add a special touch to your next event with the help of Eventfully Yours. Recommendation: Ceremony/Reception Décor
eyeventfullyyours.com
Firefly Wellness (Go Polk City)
Don’t lose talented workers this holiday season. Make employee well-being a priority with Firefly Wellness. Recommendation: Interactive Workshops
fireflywellness.us
Get Lit (Ankeny)
In three simple steps, Get Lit can transform a home’s exterior with permanent lighting. Recommendation: Residential/Commercial Lighting
getlitus.com
Iowa League of Heroes (Ankeny)
Share the mission of Iowa League of Heroes — a group of heroes donating time and resources for children fighting medical battles. Recommendation: Donate to the League
iowaleagueofheroes.com
Iowa Tree Bear (FuseDSM)
Help with pruning, tree removal and more are available through this Norwalk local service. Recommendation: Light Displays
iowatreebear.com
Jayinary (Go Polk City)
A custom mural painting will transform an indoor space this season. Recommendation: Home or Office Design
jayinary.com
Joujou DSM (Downtown)
Enjoy a Montessori-inspired play space for children where their curiosity is nurtured in a safe place. Recommendation: Membership Pricing Options (Monthly and Annual Family)
joujoudsm.com
julsdesign (Ankeny)
Creative graphic design from julsdesign sets companies up to achieve their goals. Recommendation: Annual Report Design
julsdesign.com
Kids Create (Go Polk City)
Kids Create is a children’s art studio with creativity runs rampant and camps area available for students who love to paint, draw and create. Recommendation: Book a Birthday Party
facebook.com/pckidscreate
KNM Productions (Go Polk City)
Looking for a DJ, photography or videography? KNM Productions creates packages for weddings to make it a memorable event. Recommendation: On-Site Photo Booth
knmproductions.com
P & M Apparel (Go Polk City)
Order custom apparel and accessories through P & M Apparel. Recommendation: Small Business Package (includes 500 pens, 12 classic polos, 36 mugs and 500 business cards)
pmapparel.com
Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa (Ankeny)
Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa offers advanced, minimally invasive aesthetic and dermatology treatments. Popular treatments include BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, HALO™ Hybrid Fractional Resurfacing, and CoolSculpting®. For customized treatments designed to ensure natural and effective results, consider Revive. Recommendation: Gift Cards
reviveclinicandspa.com
Smitten Kitten (Ankeny)
Cat owners will love Smitten Kitten’s grooming salon and boarding options. Recommendation: Self-Warming Mats
desmoinesgroomer.com
The original #DSMlocal Buying Guide offers gift ideas for a variety of recipients from bookworms to pet lovers and more. Throughout the year, The Partnership will continue to add even more buying guides to encourage buying local, curated with DSM shops, restaurants and service providers in mind for shoppers like you!
If you're a business owner and Member of The Partnership interested in being featured in one of the buying guides, sign up here.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.