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Prairie Art Exhibit Wallace Farms

New in DSM: August Edition

Greater Des Moines (DSM) is constantly growing and evolving, with new restaurants, shops, attractions, experiences and community spaces opening across the region each month. Here’s a look at some of the newest things to explore around DSM right now in August.

 

ice cream dishThe Goose Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Van Meter

New Restaurants and Food Spots in DSM

The Goose Ice Cream & Coffee Shop

Van Meter | 419 Grant St.
Van Meter has a sweet new gathering spot. The Goose Ice Cream & Coffee Shop celebrated its grand opening in July, bringing ice cream and coffee together under one roof. The family-owned shop offers a new place to grab a scoop, meet up over coffee or treat the family while exploring the community.
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Harvest Market

Winterset | 69 East Jefferson St.
A new market and café is serving up local flavor in Winterset. Harvest Market offers sandwiches, salads, baked goods, desserts and coffee, and recently expanded its menu to include breakfast, giving visitors even more to enjoy throughout the day.
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iced coffee in front of Highway Brew signHighway Brew Coffee Shop in Montezuma

Highway Brew Coffee Shop

Montezuma | 100 S 2nd St.
Fuel up for your next road trip at Highway Brew Coffee Shop, a new locally owned spot just off Highway 63 in Montezuma. The menu includes signature coffees, frappes, refreshers, lemonades, Lotus energy drinks, smoothies and more, giving locals and travelers alike a new place to grab something for the road.
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The Peach Pit

Dallas Center | 1607 Sugar Grove Ave.
A familiar trailside stop in Dallas Center has a totally new look. Formerly The Handlebar, The Peach Pit recently reopened under new ownership following a remodel and rebrand inspired by the nostalgic style of the ’90s and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Stop in while exploring the Raccoon River Valley Trail or make it the destination for a laid-back meal and drinks.
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Red Anchor Sushi and Seafood

Altoona | 2421 Adventureland Dr.
Come hungry! Red Anchor Sushi and Seafood recently opened in Altoona, bringing an all-you-can-eat dining experience with a little bit of everything. Buffet selections vary between lunch, dinner and weekends, with sushi, seafood, hibachi, pho and other Asian-inspired favorites among the options.
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Saigon Day Cafe & Bakery

Clive| 8421 University Blvd, Suite E
Vietnamese flavors, freshly baked pastries and plenty of boba have arrived in Clive. Saigon Day Cafe & Bakery recently opened with a menu featuring breads and pastries, traditional Vietnamese coffee, creamy milk teas, matcha, fruit and sparkling teas, plus plenty of toppings to mix and match, including boba. Whether you’re stopping in for a morning coffee, sweet treat or afternoon pick-me-up, this colorful new café offers plenty to sip and savor.
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butcher with meatCerro Grande Meat Market in Des Moines

New Shops, Businesses and Experiences in DSM

Cerro Grande Meat Market

Des Moines | 2517 Hubbell Ave.
A new family-owned Mexican meat market is bringing generations of tradition to DSM. Cerro Grande Meat Market specializes in Latino and Mexican cuts of meat, rotating seasonal sausages, marinated taco meats and ready-to-cook options that go beyond the typical grocery store meat counter. The new market adds another locally owned specialty food destination to the Hubbell Avenue corridor and DSM.
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H&S Feed

Indianola | 2612 West 2nd Ave.
A new locally owned destination for pets, livestock and outdoor living has arrived in Indianola. H&S Feed offers everything from pet supplies and livestock feed to grills, sheds and other products for home and farm. The business celebrated its ribbon cutting in August, adding another locally owned shopping option to the community.
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Slick City Action Park

Clive | 9999 University Ave.
Ready to slide? Slick City Action Park has brought a new kind of indoor entertainment experience to Clive, with giant slides, air courts and attractions designed for kids and adults alike. The indoor action park offers year-round fun regardless of the weather, adding another option for family outings, birthday celebrations and active adventures around DSM.
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Strawtown Inn and Events

Pella | 1111 Washington St.
A historic Pella property is welcoming overnight guests again for the first time in nearly two decades. Strawtown Inn and Events has been reimagined as a locally owned, 17-room boutique hotel and event venue that pairs modern accommodations with the character and Dutch heritage of the community. The restored property offers visitors a new place to stay while adding another venue for gatherings and special events in Pella.
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Suzy’s Kitchen & Gifts

Pleasant Hill | 1225 Copper Creek Dr., Suite B
A longtime Historic East Village shop has a new home in Pleasant Hill. Suzy’s Kitchen & Gifts recently relocated to a new storefront, bringing its collection of kitchen goods, gifts and specialty finds to the community. The move gives longtime customers a fresh space to explore while adding another locally owned shop to Pleasant Hill.
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Whitebreast Creek Trading Co.

Osceola | 113 S. Main St.
Downtown Osceola has a new place to browse for home finds and gifts. Whitebreast Creek Trading Co. recently opened with a thoughtfully curated collection of furniture, home décor, vintage finds and meaningful gifts. The shop blends timeless style with one-of-a-kind pieces, adding another locally owned destination to Osceola’s downtown shopping scene.
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group of people at a ribbon cuttingClive Greenbelt Landing Ribbon Cutting

New Parks, Public Spaces and Community Amenities in DSM

Eagle’s Landing Park

Adel | 25049 Eagle Vista Dr.
Adel has a new neighborhood park to explore. Completed in July, Eagle’s Landing Park offers a new outdoor space designed for recreation, relaxation and gathering with neighbors. The addition creates another place for families, residents and visitors to spend time outside as the community continues to grow.
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Greenbelt Landing

Clive | 1801 NW 114th St.
A major new outdoor destination is now open along the Clive Greenbelt. Greenbelt Landing transforms nearly 15 acres next to the Clive Aquatic Center with enhanced green space, recreational amenities and the Ashley Okland Variety Star Playground. Beyond creating new opportunities for outdoor play and gathering, the project was designed to improve water quality and preserve wildlife habitat while connecting with the larger Clive Greenbelt.
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Jane’s Prairie at Kuehn Conservation Area

Earlham | 32828 Houston Trail
There’s even more to explore at Kuehn Conservation Area near Earlham. Jane’s Prairie adds 49 acres of native flowers, grasses and wildlife habitat to the popular Dallas County park, along with trails where visitors can experience the restored landscape up close. Keep an eye out for pollinators and birds as you explore this new addition to one of the region’s outdoor destinations.
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The Station

Bondurant | 100 Main St. NE
Bondurant has a new space for bringing the community together. The Station is a city-owned community facility designed to host meetings, programs, events and gatherings for residents, local organizations and community partners. The flexible new space adds another resource for connection and community activity in Bondurant.
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Also in Bondurant, Wolf Creek Park opened earlier this summer with a covered shelter, playground, nearby fishing ponds, basketball and pickleball courts, offering even more ways to get outside and play.

New Arts, Events and Exhibits in DSM

It’s in the Water Art Installation

Cumming | 3201 15th Ave.
Art meets science at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm with It’s in the Water, a site-specific installation by Drake University professors Emily Newman and Edward Kelley, who work together as Parts Per Million Collective. The floating, barn-quilt-inspired sculpture incorporates an algae-based system designed to remove excess nitrates from water and atmospheric carbon, turning environmental research into public art. The installation is part of the larger Declarations public art exhibition and will remain on view through September.
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Exhibits at Ankeny Art Center

Ankeny | 1520 SW Ordnance Rd.
Two new exhibitions at the Ankeny Art Center showcase very different approaches to art and traditional craft. Works from the Ankeny Area Quilter’s Guild celebrate quilting through fabric, pattern and craftsmanship, while artist Anna Drake transforms discarded plastic bags using crochet, knotting, sewing and other handcraft techniques to explore ideas of value, care and disposability. Both exhibitions are on display through Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.
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Kids for Art Exhibit 2026

Clive | 1900 NW 114th St.
Young artists are taking center stage at the Clive Public Library. Artwork from the 2026 Kids for Art in Clive selectees and award winners is now on display, showcasing the creativity of young people throughout the community. Visitors can explore the collection during regular library hours through the end of October.
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The Prairie Art Exhibit and Seeds of Memory Soundwalk

Orient | 2773 290th St.
Art, storytelling and the Iowa landscape come together at the Wallace Farm with two experiences open through September. The Prairie Art Exhibit features works from community artists of all ages and skill levels, while Seeds of Memory, an immersive soundwalk by artists Anna Gebhardt and Philip Rabalais, invites visitors to explore the farm’s trails while listening to stories, memories and sounds inspired by the land. Bring a smartphone and headphones to experience the soundwalk as you explore.
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Looking for More of What’s New in DSM? From restaurants and retail to parks, public spaces and local experiences, DSM continues to evolve in exciting ways. Peek at last month’s edition, and check back each month for more new openings, attractions and things to explore around the region.

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Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the largest regional business, economic development and talent development organization in Iowa and the second-largest regional chamber of commerce in the country, serving multiple counties in Greater Des Moines. Together with more than 400 Investors and an Affiliate Chamber of Commerce network of more than 7,200 Regional Chamber Members, The Partnership helps businesses grow and advances quality of life in Greater Des Moines with one voice, one mission and as one region, contributing to a vibrant regional economy.