Outdoor Businesses to Support During National Small Business Week

Did you know that Iowa has 270,000 small businesses, according to the SBA Iowa District Office? In Greater Des Moines (DSM) and across the rest of the state, many of these small businesses have had to pivot and look for new ways to reach their customers over the past 18 months. As the region’s small business owners look for opportunities to bring in clientele and customers, the Greater Des Moines Partnership has also embraced new ways of promoting and assisting those business owners in changing course as circumstances evolve. These new initiatives have included everything from implementing a Leading in Times of Challenge podcast that highlights leadership to creating outdoor events that support local business districts, such as the Downtown DSM Adventure Stories, currently taking place, and the previously held Great DSM Hot Air Balloon Hunt and Hide and Seek events.

Throughout this time, The Partnership has also promoted its #DSMlocal Buying Guides on our website, which share lists of where to shop, eat and spend money in DSM. Below, you will find information on several outdoor-related businesses to support. We hope you find them helpful as you look for ways to buy local!

Gardening Buying Guide

The Gardening Buying Guide offers shopping ideas for flower and plant shops, greenhouses and locations that help make your outdoor spaces serene and beautiful. From an Adirondack outdoor glider loveseat from Homemakers to hanging floral baskets from Canoyer Garden Center, the Gardening Buying Guide offers plenty of places for plant enthusiasts around DSM to support.

Patio Buying Guide

Check out The Partnership’s Patio Buying Guide for restaurants, bars or coffee shops with outside seating. Whether you visit Kinship Brewing Company in Waukee for cider flights this fall or grab breakfast at Gateway Market & Café in Downtown DSM, your money will stay within the DSM community.

Summer Buying Guide

The weather still allows for visiting the attractions listed within our Summer Buying Guide. You’ll find golf options, outdoor family activities, parks and campgrounds and more, featuring plenty of DSM businesses like Brenton Arboretum, Living History Farms and Toad Valley Golf Course (also home to a putt-putt course the whole family can enjoy!)

Small Business Week

We hope that you’ll use the guides above to support DSM small businesses during National Small Business Week Sept. 13-17, 2021. Don’t miss out on the original #DSMlocal guides as well, the DSMlocal Guide and the Restaurant Buying Guide!

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.

Named the #1 Best Place to Live in the Midwest and #2 Safest Place to Live, Greater Des Moines (DSM) is a city where you can have it all. Learn more about what it’s like to live here.