Restaurants 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 local eateries that offer brunch, ice cream or patio dining. We hope you find them helpful as you look for ways to buy local!

Brunch Buying Guide

Start your weekend off right with a DSM brunch destination. Try Americana or St. Kilda, which offers all-day breakfast, in Downtown DSM or Gilroy’s in West Des Moines. There’s nothing better than brunch with friends or family, so find the right spot to meet up with them using our Brunch Buying Guide.

Ice Cream Buying Guide

Search for the perfect cone, dish and more with the Ice Cream Buying Guide. While ice cream is good year-round, there’s no reason to wait to visit these ice cream and fro-yo businesses in DSM. Try Black Cat Ice Cream’s classic flavors or visit Menchie’s in Des Moines, which sells vegan frozen yogurt — including September’s featured flavor, blue raspberry ice pop sorbet — along with other popular flavors.

Patio Buying Guide

Check out The Partnership’s Patio Buying Guide for restaurants, bars or coffee shops with outside seating. Whether you visit The Chicken right off the Great Western Bike Trail or want some seasonal fare along with your views, like what’s offered at Trellis in Downtown DSM, you’ll find a patio to love in DSM.

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.