15 Ways to Shop Local

Buy Handcrafted Pottery

• Barn Ware Pottery in Winterset: This Iowa pottery shop features mugs, bowls and more by local artist Wendy Marckmann. See what Wendy’s been working on by following her Instagram!
• Mainframe Studios in Downtown Des Moines: Artists Jennifer Lee and Emily Macfarland each have pottery studios at Mainframe, along with other fine crafts artists. Check out Jennifer’s handmade pottery inspired by nature in studio #411, or Emily’s bright, patterned designs in studio #419. Other ceramics artists include Jim Spevak in studio #203 and Hanna Piepel in #449.

Visit the The Kiln Room in Carlisle, a women-owned ceramic studio, to create your own piece.

Take Home Locally Roasted Coffee

• Iris Coffee Company in Pella: Iris Coffee Company uses a fluid bed (air) roaster to roast beans and create smooth cups of coffee. Purchase blends like Refuge or Hideaway or buy single origin coffees like Switchback, Explorer, Daybreak, Summit and Open Water. There’s decaf, too!
• Pammel Park Coffee Company in Winterset: Fresh roasted Pammel Park coffee is available in single origins, espresso blends, signature blends and limited releases. Another great perk with Pammel Park? You can sign up for recurring subscriptions, so you receive coffee right to your door … on schedule!

Find a Vintage Treasure

• Doe a Deer in Stuart: Maybe not completely vintage, but vintage-inspired … Doe a Deer is home to hand illustrated flour sack towels created by Owner Regan, who admired vintage designs in her youth and decided to create something beautiful. Doe a Deer designs are now found in more than 500 retailers across the world, but you can visit the flagship store right here in DSM!
• Greenfield Mercantile in Greenfield: Greenfield Mercantile’s 30 vendors include vintage antique vendors like The Rusty Nickel, Vintage Charm and Rustic Tap.
• Little Lion Eclectics in Polk City: Curated vintage items that are mostly shippable, Little Lion Eclectics is sure to have the gem for you! Note: Only open Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and by appointment.

Shop Neighborhood Florists for Fresh Flowers

• Boesen the Florist in Des Moines: No matter the occasion, Boesen bouquets are a beautiful way to brighten up any room in your home. From elegant to colorful to seasonal looks, perk up your kitchen counter or living room coffee table with a new fresh floral arrangement.
• Stuart Flowers & Gifts in Stuart: Pick up a wrapped or hand-tied bouquet at this DSM flower shop … bonus: It’s just a few steps from Doe a Deer, mentioned above!

Find the Perfect Independent Bookstore Recommendation

• Century Farms Books & Brews in Perry: Your next read awaits — as does your next beverage. Choose from Hot Teas like Anne of Greene Gables, The Scarlet Letter or Through the Looking Glass. There are also fun craft cocktails like Tequila Mockingbird and Count Drakahlua and non-alcoholic options like Iced Novel-Tea of the Day or Literary Lemonade.
• Pageturners Bookstore in Indianola: Browse the bookshelves at Pageturners for your next read — no matter the genre! Pageturners is 12 in 2026, and that’s thanks to the local shoppers who keep coming back again and again.

Buy a Handcrafted Candle

• Candle Bar DSM in West Des Moines: Reserve a spot to pour your own scents — 1, 2 or 3 wicks in different sizes and colors. Purchase the Historic Valley Junction Candle and $5 from each candle sold goes directly to the Historic Valley Junction Foundation to not just shop local, but give back local, too.
• Ladie Lex Scented Candles in Des Moines: Whether you want a sweet-smelling whipped dessert candle like Lemonade or Fruity Pebbles (coming soon!), or you’re looking for an aromatherapy candle in scents like Green Tea & Lemongrass or Rosemary & Sage, your nose will love Ladie Lex scents.

Discover a One-of-a-Kind Children’s Toy

• Wild Bramble in Pella: Wild Bramble has all sorts of gifts that are perfect for children. Check out a Fahlo plushie and other toys, or stop by the hat bar, where you can pick out patches that match your personality and create a personalized hat!
• FrogFun Toy Library in Clive: While you can’t take the toys home permanently, at FrogFun Toy Library, you can enjoy a whole new toy inventory each week! Toys are both educational and fun, so switch out items like a bocce ball set, math cubes, water tables and more.

Select Art from Local and Regional Galleries

• Beckman Gallery and Gifts in Grinnell: From photography prints to ceramics to paintings, pick up original art at Beckman Gallery and Gifts, a shop that is celebrating 35 years in business in 2026.
• Local Art Centers in Ankeny, Des Moines and Winterset: Check out upcoming gallery exhibitions when you visit the Ankeny Art Center, the Des Moines Art Center and the Winterset Art Center. Walk through the galleries and attend special events to find Iowa artists to support, including emerging artists.
• Olson-Larsen Galleries in West Des Moines: Find featured original artwork from Midwest and Iowa artists. Olson-Larsen Galleries is also the exclusive retailer of Claized Custom Framing, resulting in museum-quality framing of art pieces.

Choose a Piece of Locally Made Jewelry

• 2AU Limited in West Des Moines: Most of the jewelry at 2AU in the Historic Valley Junction district of West Des Moines is designed and created in the 2AU studio. Work one-on-one with Owner Ann Au on your next piece.
• B.shannon designs in Winterset: Owner Brooke Stuphin creates memorable designs for rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants and more. Work with her on a one-of-kind design or purchase already made items.

Pick Up the Latest in Skincare and Beauty Products

• Mill Slough Apothecary in Adel: Take your self-care to another level with products like Whipped Tallow Age Defying Face Cream, Lippenbalm, a Tallow Lotion Bar and Red Cedar Beard Oil. You’ll also find tinctures and teas, too!
• Prairie & Flame in Milo: From body care to facial care to sugar scrubs, Prairie & Flame uses cruelty-free ingredients in its products and sustainable packaging. Experience the Rose Glow Facial Bar or the Banana Grove Vegan Soap.

Enjoy the Benefits of Local Raw Honey

• Hive & Petal in Prairie City: Now offering 100% pure raw honey, Hive and Petal isn’t just a flower farm — it’s a sustainable honeybee hive paradise!
• Honey Hollow Apiary & Garden in Indianola: Located near Summerset Winery, Honey Hollow Apiary & Garden carries raw honey in various sizes as well as honey wine, or mead, including Double Blackberry Dry, Blueberry Bliss and others.
• Spring Valley Honey Farms in Perry: Shop featured items like creamed honey, infused honey, honey soda and more at Spring Valley Honey Farms. Check out a behind-the-scenes video of harvesting the honey crop here!

Select Fresh Ingredients to Cook a Special Meal

• Desi Fresh Groceries in Waukee: Grab freshly sliced deli meats, fresh produce and authentic Indian grocery selections at Desi Fresh.
• Feed & Foster in Indianola: Find wine, crackers, nuts and other provisions at Feed & Foster. Local salami from Prairie Rose Provisions in Osceola, Ruthie, a lager from Exile Brewing Company in Des Moines, and noodles from DSM Pasta Co. have been found on the shelves in the past, but you’ll have to stop in to see what local provisions are currently stocked and ready for your shopping basket.

Source Iowa Meat for the Grill

• Des Moines Bacon & Meat Company in Adel: Bundle boxes are the name of the game at Des Moines Bacon & Meat Company. Order a BBQ Bundle Box for an end-of-summer gathering or a Tailgate Bundle Box for this fall.
• Kaysen Family Farms in St. Charles: Farm-raised pork and beef that’s ethical, transparent, sustainable and convenient is what you’ll find at Kaysen Family Farms. Try Skirt Steak, Ribeye Steaks, Ground Beef Patties, Pepperoni, Bacon, Iowa Chops and more.
• Old Station Craft Meats in Waukee: Visit this full-service butcher for jerky, handcrafted sauces and rubs as well as meats like house-made Pastrami, Beef Carne Asada and Teriyaki and Philly Cheese Snack Sticks, to name a few!

Gift Your Pet a Yummy Treat

• Earthwise Pet in Newton: Whether you want catnip for cats or natural chews and jerky for dogs, Earthwise Pet has it all. And don’t leave the store without looking at the wide selection of pet toys, too!
• Spoiled Dogs Company in Grinnell: When you stop by Spoiled Dogs Company, pick up some freeze-dried, frozen, powder or crunchy treats for dogs. Other items for sale include bedding, food, toys and more.

Customize Your Home Furnishings

• Amish Haus Furniture in Urbandale: Styles for the bedroom, living room, office and more are available at Amish Haus, where solid wood furniture is handcrafted by Amish craftsmen from 25+ different Midwest shops.
• Suite Dreams Bedrooms & Stuff for Kids in Windsor Heights: You’ll find nightstands, cribs, beds (check out the student loft for your back-to-school kiddo!) and dressers perfect for a nursery or child’s bedroom.

You can find a complete list of places to shop local in the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Member Directory.

Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.