Shop These 25 Local Favorites in Greater Des Moines (DSM)

We’re almost a month out from Small Business Saturday — it’s on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 this year — and we hope you’ll get out in Greater Des Moines (DSM) to shop local and support our regional businesses ahead of the holiday season. However, Small Business Saturday isn’t the only time to shop local. There’s no better time than now to check out DSM businesses — both new and old! See some of the Greater Des Moines Partnership team’s local favorites in the list below to find boutiques bursting with unique gift ideas, coffee shops with new seasonal flavors and restaurants with Happy Hour specials and delicious entrees.

Shop Greater Des Moines

• Boutiques at SW District Dr. in The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny – check out Mainstream Boutique or the Purple Poppy Boutique.
• Buff City Soap at 110 N. Ankeny Boulevard, Suite 300 in Ankeny – soaps are handmade daily at soap makeries so stop in for fall (out now!) or holiday (available on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024) scents.
• Campbell’s Nutrition at 4040 University Ave. in Des Moines – check out the monthly specials and find supplements to support your immune system this season.
• Des Moines Bacon & Meat Company at 26511 Prairie Circle in Adel – pick up Baby Back Pork Ribs, Boneless and Bone-In Hams, Applewood Smoked Bacon and more.
• Dungeon’s Gate at 2525 N. Ankeny Boulevard, Ste. 101 in Ankeny – shop games and books, or attend local events like open gaming, graphic novel book club, board game night and more.
• Gateway Market & Café at 2002 Woodland Ave. in Sherman Hill in Des Moines – flowers, wine, meat and produce are just a few of the times you can grab while you shop Gateway Market. Stop in at the Café for a quick bite too. Plant-based options are available.
• Goodwill of Central Iowa at locations around the region – Find fall essentials like flannels, jeans and jackets as well as books to read by the fire. Note: A new store and donation center will open in Norwalk in 2025!
• Happy DSM at 234 Fifth St. at Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines – order a curated gift of décor, cocktail items, specialty foods and more.
• Hy-Vee at locations around the region – shop ingredients for fall snacks at Hy-Vee like honeycrisp apples, caramel syrup, honey and more. Hot Deals has the latest deals seasonal items, too.
• Raygun at 505 E. Grand Ave. in the Historic East Village in Downtown Des Moines – colder weather calls for new hoodies and sweatshirts. Find screenprinted merchandise and more in-store and online.
• Real Deals at 315 SW Maple St. in Uptown Ankeny – sweaters, denim and holiday décor and goodies!

Eat and Drink in Greater Des Moines

• Aposto at 622 18th St. in Des Moines – every Wednesday through Saturday, enjoy items off the fall menu like Risotto with local wild mushrooms, Chef Lemmo’s avatella with house Calabrian sausage or Cappalletti with lobster and mascarpone.
• Barn Town Brewing at 9500 University Ave. in West Des Moines – from Mexican Street Corn on Toast (get it during brunch!) to new brewery releases like the Peanut Butter Pickle Tickle beer, Barn Town has a lot to offer. Not to mention, igloo season Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025.
• Charlotte’s Kitchen at 6150 Merle Hay Road in Johnston – weekly specials are released each Monday.
• Confluence Brewing at 1235 Thomas Beck Road south of Gray’s Lake in Des Moines – hear live music in the taproom while you sip on the latest releases (try the Ferryman’s Chocolate Dipped Churro!)
• Either/Or Eatery & Patio at 6222 Grand Ave. in Des Moines – try brunch on the patio while the weather’s still nice or grab the E/O Squash Salad off the new seasonal menu!
• El Fogon at 1250 8th St. and 5465 Mill Civic Parkway, Ste. 101 in West Des Moines – authentic Mexican food from El Fogon pairs well with a house margarita. Try the flavorful Guacamole Power Bowl, too!
• Firetrucker Brewery at 716 SW 3rd St. in Uptown Ankeny – it’s time for a craft beer from the brewery or try the October Cocktail of the Month, the Pumpkin Patch Punch!
• Flavory Bistro at 1450 SW Main St. in the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny – paella awaits! Have you tried the Seafood Paella yet? This local Mediterranean restaurant was voted the #1 Healthiest Restaurant by the Ankeny Chamber!
• Hidalgo Mexican Bar & Grill at 2675 100th St. in Urbandale or 1631 SW Main St. #100 in Ankeny – stop in for Taco Tuesday and order the Fajitas Hidalgo.
• Main Street Café & Bakery at 2510 SW White Birch Dr., Ste. 1 & 2 in Ankeny – order from the bakery or check out the fall menu for items like the Harvest Salad, Apple Grilled Cheese or Apple Butter Rum Burger.
• Mayalu Coffee at 4226 Fleur Dr. in Des Moines – this local coffee shop is offering new fall drinks, including Pumpkin Cold Brew and Pumpkin Spice Latte. Tip: Stay tuned for all the latest monthly updates with Mayalu’s brand-new newsletter!
• Porch Light Coffee House at 417 SW 3rd St. in Uptown Ankeny (pictured above) – sip on locally roasted coffee and take a bite of a made-daily scone (Triple Berry and Cinnamon Chip available!).
• Red Chillez Indian Cuisine at 1701 SE Delaware in Ankeny – if it’s Tandoori Chicken you’re after, Red Chillez has you covered. Don’t forget to order the Cinnamon Naan as well!
• Yamato Steak House of Japan at 1590 Washington St. in Pella – try something new like the Shumai or Gyoza.

Learn more about Small Business Saturday at sba.gov. You can also support Downtown Des Moines (DSM) businesses during the Holiday Promenade over five Fridays, beginning Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, too!

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.