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#DSMlocal Buying Guide

2020 DSMlocal Buying Guide

November 29, 2023

To find the most meaningful gifts, look local first and put your money where your heart is. When you support Des Moines area small businesses, the money you spend here is more likely to stay here — so you’re not only supporting your neighbor but you’re supporting our local community.

This original #DSMlocal Buying Guide provides a variety of local gift ideas and small business buying suggestions for all your shopping needs.

Bookworms  |  Civic Minded  |  Foodies  |  Gardeners  |  Grandparents  |  Health/Fitness  |  Home Improvers  |  Kids  |  Men  |  Music Lovers  |  Parents/Guardians  |  Pets  |  Self-Care Lovers  |  Teachers/Educators  |  Teens  |  Women

Gifts for Bookworms in Greater Des Moines

Heart of Iowa Marketplace

Featured Item: Iowa Knitted Blanket
Description: Perfect for any Iowa bookworm! The throw blanket highlights Iowa treasures and measures 46x68 inches. Available in navy, cranberry and hunter green. Other Iowa-themed gifts and more are available at Heart of Iowa Marketplace in Historic Valley Junction.
heartofiowamarketplace.com

Pageturners Bookstore

Featured Item: Iowa-Themed Books, Children’s Books
Description: Find this Iowa bucket list book, written by a local mom and entrepreneur, at this charming bookstore in Indianola.
.pageturnersbookstore.com

The Curiosity Shop

Featured Item: Bestsellers and New Releases
Description: Bestsellers, new releases and more are ready for you to pick up from The Curiosity Shop in Pella. Check the calendar for Curiosity Shop events, grab a gift card or enter the poetry contest for both students and adults in the area.
pellacuriosityshop.com

Gifts for Civic Minded in Greater Des Moines

Animal Rescue League of Iowa

Featured Item: Happy Tails Calendar
Description: Want to support a local organization when you shop local? Check out the happy tails calendar from the Animal Rescue League (ARL). All proceeds benefit homeless animals at the ARL.
animal-rescue-league-of-iowa.shoplightspeed.com

LifeServe Des Moines Donor Center

Featured Item: Blood Donor
Description: Urge your loved ones to donate blood this holiday season ans shop the LifeServe store for blood donor items.
donor.lifeservebloodcenter.org

Madison County Conservation Board

Featured Item: Donations for Madison County Conservation Center
Description: Support enriched education, exploration and recreation in Madison County with a donation to the Madison County Conservation Center.
madisoncountyparks.org/madison-county-conservation-center

Gifts for Foodies in Greater Des Moines

Brick Street Market & Café

Featured Item: Brick Bargain Breakfast Special
Description: Come in for the Brick Bargain Breakfast Special — breakfast is served all day! The lunch and dinner menu is available after 10:30 a.m. And don’t miss the desserts. An Old Fashioned Milkshake or Malt, Dessert Pretzel or a slice of Grandma Jenny’s Amazing French Silk Pie, which is handmade at the café in Bondurant.
thebrickstreetcafe.com

Baratta’s Restaurant

Featured Item: Carryout Pasta Family Dinners
Description: Family dinners feed four to six people. $27 - $34.
barattas.com

Fong's

Featured Item: Unique Pizza Combinations
Description: Enjoy a gift card, merchandise or meal from Fong's Pizza - Downtown.
fongspizza.com

Gilroy's

Featured Item: Gift Card
Description: Gilroy's gift cards are available in any denomination and are a great way to support small business in DSM.
gilroyskitchen.com

Lotta-Pop

Featured Item: Large Gourmet Popcorn Variety Box
Description: The gift box comes with six ½ gallon gourmet popcorn bags in each box.
lottapop.com

Molly's Cupcakes

Featured Item: Red Velvet Cupcake
Description: This award-winning cupcake is just one of the many delicious options, including vegan and gluten-free cupcakes.
mollysdsm.com

The Drift

Featured Item: Gift Card
Description: Winterset's The Drift is an Iowa taproom with a kitchen that serves up items like the Meatball Parm Hero and the Mushroom & Goat Cheese Flatbread.
thedriftia.com

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

Featured Item: Hone Cinnamon Latte
Description: The Slow Down Coffee Co. is a locally owned and operated specialty coffee shop in the historic Highland Park neighborhood.
theslowdowndsm.com

Trostel's Greenbriar

Featured Item: Slow-Roasted Prime Rib
Description: If you have clients in town and want to take them out for a great steak dinner, this is the place.
greenbriartrostels.com

Gifts for Gardeners in Greater Des Moines

Casual Rags Emroidery and Apparel

Featured Item: Custom Canvas Tote
Description: Add text and/or images to a Casual Rags eco-friendly tote bag or other item from this Indianola shop.
casualrags.com

Canoyer Garden Center

Featured Item: Plants
Description: Find a variety of plants, arrangements and other gardening items. There are also a wide selection of charming garden décor items.
canoyergardencenter.com

Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch

Featured Item: Fairy Garden Statues
Description: Miniature fairies from Howell's will bring your garden to life. 
howellsgreenhouseandpumpkinpatch.com

Gifts for Grandparents in Greater Des Moines

Artisans Jewelry Designs

Featured Item: Jewelry Restoration
Description: Repair a family heirloom. Free estimates on repair and service work.
artisansjewelry.com

Crown Trophy

Featured Item: Etchings
Description: Get a cutting board or glass etched with the family name.
crowntrophy.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?cat=219&q=Cooking

Horn’s Ferry Hideaway

Featured Item: Cabin Rental
Description: A relaxing place for a getaway. Includes a fireplace/air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen, complimentary coffee, tea and popcorn, living room with sofa and recliners and that’s just the beginning.
hornsferryhideaway.com

Gifts for Health / Fitness in Greater Des Moines

Burn Boot Camp

Featured Item: 7-Day Free Trial
Description: Come for the 45-minutes workouts. Stay for the community of support.
burnbootcamp.com

Fleet Feet

Featured Item: Training Tights
Description: Find training tights for men and women at various price points.
fleetfeet.com

Iowa Bike Co.

Featured Item: Indoor Cycling Gear
Description: Find a smart trainer, riser block or other indoor gear so you can bike all year long.
iowabike.co

Gifts for Home Improvers in Greater Des Moines

Adorn

Featured Item: Metal Taper Holders
Description: Dress up your home with curated home décor items, such as metal taper holders in an antique finish.
adorngiftandhome.com

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, ReStore

Featured Item: Home Improvement Materials
Description: Find new and gently used home improvement materials, including flooring, lights, paint, cabinets and appliances.
gdmhabitat.org/restore

Helps Homestead

Featured Item: Rustic Wooden Mosaic
Description: Multiple colors/sizes of handcrafted rustic wooden mosaic wall art available for local pickup.
helpshomestead.com

Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros

Featured Item: Cabinet Remodeling
Description: Transform your kitchen cabinets in three to five days with Kitchen Refresh.
knopros.com

West Side Appliance Repair

Featured Item: Dryer Vent Cleaning
Description: Dryer vents accumulate debris and lint over time, which is an extreme fire hazard. Increase safety, improve efficiency, extend the life of your dryer and save time and money on your laundry.
westsideappliancerepair.com

Gifts for Kids in Greater Des Moines

Des Moines Children's Museum

Featured Item: Membership
Description: Your membership to the Des Moines Children's Museum includes free admission for one year, 50% off for six guests at participating ACM museums and more. Not interested in the annual membership? The museum also offers a five-admission punch card!
dsmchildrensmuseum.com

Five Monkeys Inc.

Featured Item: Painting To Go
Description: Choose your project and colors and then pick up your project the next day the studio is open.
fivemonkeysinc.com

Learning Post Toys

Featured Item: At-Home Toys
Description: Books, puzzles, games and more are available at Learning Post Toys. You can also find active and outdoor play toys, slime and STEM activities. This is a great place for teachers to shop or to buy an educator gift, too!
learningposttoys.com

Cirque Wonderland

Featured Item: Youth Classes
Description: Encourage the kids to try something new and take an aerial silk class.
cirquewonderland.com

Gifts for Men in Greater Des Moines

X Golf

Featured Item: Gift Certificate
Description: An indoor golf experience with seven state-of-the-art golf simulators.
xgolfwestdesmoines.com

CrossRoads Shooting Sports

Featured Item: Shooting Classes
Description: Whether it’s your first time holding a firearm or you’re an experienced shooter, there are training sessions available for all skill levels.
crossroadsshooting.com

Foundry Distilling Co.

Featured Item: Vodka, Gin or Rum
Description: Foundry Distilling is part of an exciting project at The Foundry building, which was constructed in 1899 and was known as the Rock Island Railroad car barn because it was originally built to repair rail cars.
foundrydistillingcompany.com

Mr. B Clothing

Featured Item: Men's Socks
Description: Mr. B Clothing makes men's fashion look so good. During the holiday season, stop in and grab some holiday socks, new ties or, go bigger, with a suit purchase.
mrbclothing.com

Whiskey River

Featured Item: Gift Certificate
Description: A great bar and grill atmosphere with cold drinks, craft beers, burgers, rooftop patio and plenty of sports on the TVs to satisfy!
whiskeyriverankeny.com

Gifts for Music Lovers in Greater Des Moines

Civic Music Association

Featured Item: Season Tickets
Description: The 23/24 season includes shows featuring The Dallas Brass, Blind Boys of Alabama and more.
civicmusic.org

Madison County Music Co.

Featured Item: Private & Group Lessons
Description: Students of all ages can grow their musical talents through private and group lessons at Madison County Music Co. in Winterset.
madisoncountymusicco.com

Music Class for Tots

Featured Item: Enrichment Program
Description: Norwalk’s Music Class for Tots is for families, daycares and schools in the Des Moines metro.
musicclassfortots.com/enrichment-program

School of Rock

Featured Item: One-on-One Classes
Description: Students can take online, on-on-one music lessons with “School of Rock Remote” in any of the following: guitar, piano, drums, singing or bass guitar.
schoolofrock.com

Gifts for Parents / Guardians in Greater Des Moines

Buff City Soap (Ankeny and Johnston Locations)

Featured Item: Soap Whip
Description: A soap that moisturizes, smooths and cleans. Scents come in “Good Morning Sunshine,” “Narcissist,” “Island Nectar,” "Oatmeal + Honey" and “Lavender.”
buffcitysoap.com

Copycat Prints

Featured Item: Custom Canvas Prints
Description: Copycat Prints has custom photo canvas prints made for families, graduates, grandparents and wedding photos alike and can print high-quality canvases to brighten up your home or office.
copycatdm.com

Element Hotel

Featured Item: Staycation
Description: Give parents a night off to relax and unwind at this eco-friendly, pet-friendly, modern, clean and cozy hotel.
elementwestdesmoines.com

Gifts for Pets in Greater Des Moines

Paws & Pints

Featured Item: Gift Card
Description: This is what happens when you combine a beer garden and a dog park. The pet lover in your life will be excited to take their pup on an outing here.
pawsandpintsdsm.com

Petsakes

Featured Item: Pet Bed / Toys
Description: Find pet mats and beds handmade in Iowa in a variety of sizes. Rubber chew toys and stuffed toys are also available from the family-owned pet supply store.
petsakes.com

Sit Means Sit Dog Training

Featured Item: Pet Training
Description: Choose between the board and train program, the day camp dog training and private dog training options.
sitmeanssit.com

Stylin Paws

Featured Item: Doggie Daycare
Description: The Clive and Urbandale locations offer stay passes for half, single or multiple days and single or multiple dogs.
stylinpawssalon.com

Gifts for Self-Care Lovers in Greater Des Moines

Coachlight Clinic and Spa

Featured Item: Refresh Spa Package
Description: The most popular package is 120 minutes for $270.This experience includes a 60-minute full-body treatment and a 50-minute facial, plus access to our day spa amenities before and after your treatments.
dsmcoachlight.com

East Village Spa

Featured Item: Skin Care
Description: Relieve dry, cracked skin with a variety of high-quality skin care products. Or get a gift card for a spa treatment.
evdayspa.com

Expressions by Design

Featured Item: Lashes
Description: In addition to a full salon and spa, you can update your look with lash extensions.
expressionspella.com

Gifts for Teachers / Educators in Greater Des Moines

Chocolate Storybook

Featured Item: Gift Basket
Description: There are a variety of gift baskets and gift boxes packed with delicious treats to send to show appreciation for educators.
chocolatestory.com

District 36 Wine Bar & Grille

Featured Item: Gift Card
Description: District 36 is a locally owned restaurant featuring pastas, steaks and seafood.
district36winebar.com

Porch Light Coffee House

Featured Item: Gift Certificate
Description: Find locally roasted coffee and espresso, premium tea and hot, fresh mini donuts.
porchlightcoffeehouse.com

Gifts for Teens in Greater Des Moines

B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling

Featured Item: Gift Card
Description: Give the gift of a physical or e-gift card and treat the teen in your life to the magic of the movies — and a big tub of popcorn.
bbtheatres.com

Great Escape

Featured Item: Escape Card
Description: An Escape Card is the perfect gift. Enjoy bowling, laser tag, an arcade, virtual reality and more!
greatescapeiowa.com

Jordan Creek Town Center

Featured Item: Shopping / Movie
Description: There's plenty of revery teenager to do at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. Check out a movie with friends at Cinemark Century Jordan Creek 20 and XD or shop for the holidays at Aerie, Apple, Bath & Body Works or H&M.
jordancreektowncenter.com

Willis Inc. Photography

Featured Item: Senior Portraits
Description:Personalize your senior picture experience with locations and looks that reflect your style with Willis Inc. Photography in Grinnell.
willisincphotography.com

Gifts for Women in Greater Des Moines

9Lilas Boutique

Featured Item: Sweaters
Description: Whether they're into fall shackets or cozy knit sweaters, there are great fashion finds in Pella at 9Lilas Boutique.
9lilas.com

Azalea Lane Boutique

Featured Item: Gift Card
Description: She's sure to find something she loves with a gift card to this charming boutique in Adel.
azalealaneboutique.com

SOULSHINE Yoga + Fitness

Featured Item: Membership / Punch Card
Description: Choose between SOULSHINE's most popular Gold Membership or a 10-class or five-class punch card. In Adel, SOULSHINE will help you enhance your physical, social, mental and spiritual wellness, so sign up, purchase a SOULSHINE t-shirt and get moving through classes that restore your flow.
soulshineiowa.com

The Quilted Windmill

Featured Item: Iowa Exclusive Fabrics
Description: Find agriculture and Iowa-themed fabrics to personalize your next quilting project.
thequiltedwindmill.com

Winestyles Tasting Station (Ankeny and West Des Moines Locations)

Featured Item: Looking for a birthday or anniversary gift idea? Give a pre-paid gift membership to the Winestyles monthly Wine Club.
winestyles.com

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.

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 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 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.

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