Where to Buy Local for Back-to-School Items in DSM

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. By supporting small businesses, the money you spend in the region will stay within the community. Check out the #DSMlocal buying guide for back-to-school items in the region, with featured items listed below to make the start of this schoolyear a breeze!

Books and Other Shops in Greater Des Moines

Pageturners Bookstore

Featured Item: Books
Description: Indianola’s own independent bookstore is a great place to grab some reading material.
pageturnersbookstore.com

Sierra

Featured Item: Backpacks
Description: Save on backpacks in a variety of designs and colors at Sierra in West Des Moines. You can also pick up clothing, shoes, games and toys at Sierra.
sierra.com

The Little Book

Featured Item: Stationery
Description: From notebooks and pencils to sketchbooks and journals, The Little Book in Des Moines offers all of these and more to round out your back-to-school shopping.
thelittlebookdsm.com

Walls of Books Ankeny

Featured Item: Books
Description: Stop in at Walls of Books in Ankeny for a great selection of books. Their Trade & Sell program also offers customers a wide selection of used books as well, and they pay cash for used college textbooks.
facebook.com/WOBAnkeny

Wandering Raccoon Books

Featured Item: Bundles 
Description: Mix and match different children’s book and young adult products to receive a discount at Wandering Raccoon Books in Downtown Des Moines. The Crayons Bundle includes books from the Crayon series by Drew Daywalt. The Little Owl Bundle offers books from the series of the same name by Divya Srinivasan. 
wanderingraccoonbooks.com

Greater Des Moines Clothing Shops

Lil' Miss Chic Children’s Boutique

Featured Item: Girls Boutique Clothing
Description: Lil' Miss Chic Children's Boutique in Grinnell offers 2T through 16 Junior sizes, including maxi skirts, dresses and more.
facebook.com/lilmisschicchildrensboutique

Many Hands Thrift Market

Featured Item: Second-Hand Goods
Description: Find second-hand goods for the whole family. At Many Hands in Grimes, 100% of the proceeds support local and global missions.
manyhandsthrift.com

Mr. B Clothing

Featured Item: Denim + Dress Shirts
Description: If you're a teacher or student about to embark on an internship, check out Mr. B's in Clive for high-quality, button-downs and other business casual clothing items. 
mrbclothing.com

Purple Poppy Boutique

Featured Item: Denim
Description: Find jeans, shorts and jackets among other items like team apparel and hats at Purple Poppy Boutique in Ankeny and Johnston.
shoppurplepoppyankeny.com

Footwear Stores

Fitness Sports

Featured Item: Running Shoes
Description: With footwear from brands like Asics, Mizuno, Brooks, Nike and more, Fitness Sports can match the best shoe to each person based on biomechanical needs. The Clive and Johnston stores carry more than 100 different models of running shoes!
fitnesssports.com

Fleet Feet Des Moines

Featured Item Running and Walking Shoes
Description: Take part in the specialized fit process at Fleet Feet in the Historic East Village of Downtown DSM to find the perfect fit.
fleetfeet.com

Shoe Sensation

Featured Item: Fashion Shoes and Backpacks
Description: Find fashion shoes for boys and girls at Shoe Sensation in Indianola, as well as backpacks all in one spot.
shoesensation.com

Greater Des Moines Malls

Merle Hay Mall

Featured Item: Back-to-School Items
Description: With more than 70 stores and restaurants, shop for the kids at Old Navy, ROSS, Target and Kohl’s at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines.
merlehaymall.com

Jordan Creek Town Center

Featured Item: Back-to-School Items
Description: Shop for back-to-school items at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines from favorite retailers like The Children’s Place, Dillard’s, Old Navy, The Children’s Place or Von Maur.
jordancreektowncenter.com

Valley West Mall

Featured Item: Children’s Clothing and Shoes
Description: Find children’s fashions at stores like JCPenney and Where the Child Things Are or shoes from Fit to Be Tied Kids Stride Rite at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines.
valleywestmall.com

Shopping Districts

Historic East Village

Featured Item: Back-to-School Fashion
Description: The Historic East Village is home to locally owned shops like Raygun, where you can check out local shirt selections for children. Students and teachers alike will enjoy the books, stationery and more from the likes of Storyhouse Bookpub and Ephemera Stationery Studio, too! 
eastvillagedesmoines.com

Outlets of Des Moines

Featured Item: Clothing and Shoes
Description: American Eagle, Asics, Carter’s, Francesca’s, Forever 21, Gap, Journey’s, Nike Factory Store and more at Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona.
outletsofdesmoines.com

Uptown Ankeny

Featured Item: Coffee, Clothes, Haircuts + Treats
Description: Stop by Porch Light Coffee House to grab your favorite cup o' Joe to-go before taking the little(s) to get a haircut at CJ Hair prior to the first day of school. Don't forget to stop in at Paisley Pineapple Children's Boutique for clothing options and Uptown Confections & Curiosities or Uptown Dairy for a sweet treat, too!
uptownankeny.org

Find more DSM shopping info here.

Learn more about buying local by visiting dsmpartnership.com/buylocal and make sure to use #DSMlocal when posting about your local products, services or purchases on social media.