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Where to Buy Local in North + Central Greater Des Moines

Chambers Buying Guide

November 21, 2022

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.