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So we may be a bit partial (County Home magazine’s home base is located here), but Des Moines is a great place to visit. With a downtown that’s seen a major revival, and charming older neighborhoods loaded with entrepreneurial spirit, the city offers diverse shops and restaurants all within a short radius. Here are a few of our staff favorites.
La Mie Bakery
Start your day at this little corner bakery with coffee and a fresh pastry or slice of quiche, or swing by for a lunch of fresh soups, salads, and sandwiches. While at the Roosevelt Shopping Center, check out Pink for one-of-a-kind cards, and Padma Gallery for textural Asian artifacts.
841 42nd St., 515/255-1625
Divine Flowers
If you love flowers and garden style, don’t miss this shop blooming with creative arrangements, vessels, and home accessories. It’s located in The Temple for Performing Arts. You’ll also find live plays and restaurants Centro and South Union Bread Cafe.
1011 Locust St., 515/288-5451; www.templeforperformingarts.com
Eyebead and Gemstones
Select from thousands of eye-candy bead strands, from gemstones and turquoise to pearls. Make your own jewelry on-site, or take your treasures to go. While shopping here (in the area known as Historic Valley Junction), stop into 5th Street Finds for vintage lighting and a retro-feel soda fountain, Atomic Garage for flashback clothing, 2 AU Limited for custom modern jewelry, and C’est La Vie for home fashions with a French twist. For a list of shops, see
214 Fifth St., West Des Moines, 515/279-9100;
www.valleyjunction.com
Kitchen Collage
Under the shadow of the Capitol’s grand golden dome, trendy East Village is home to independently owned galleries, restaurants, and shops, including this kitchen emporium. Here you can indulge the cooking needs of any foodie, including classes.
430 E. Locust St., 515/270-8202.
Aimee
Embrace your inner girl by playing dress-up and, on Saturdays, sipping champagne at this charming boutique featuring apparel with fun, feminine details. Owner Amy Hassebrock wants you to “make other women jealous.”
432 E. Locust St.,
The Continental
When you’re ready for a light lunch, stop by this East Village tapas restaurant for fresh seafood and other tasty treats.
428 E. Locust St., 515/243-0045.
Gong Fu Tea
Recharge with a cup of freshly brewed tea—this soothing shop offers more than 127 varieties. After your break, stop by Eden for decadent bath products, American Plumbing Supply Co. for vintage and new bath fixtures and parts, Melrose for trendy jeans, and Basil Prosperi for fresh bread.
414 E. Sixth St., 515/288-3388; www.gongfu-tea.com
Hessen Haus
Head to the Court Avenue District to raise a pint and enjoy Midwestern hospitality at Hessen Haus. It’s decidedly Bavarian in food, drink, and spirit and always 100-percent fun. (We had our staff holiday bash here!)
101 Fourth St., 515/288-2520; www.hessenhaus.com
MORE STORIES AND RESTAURANTS:
Pink Fine Stationery, 839 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312; 515/255-1345
Padma Gallery, 833 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312; 515/255-7575; www.padmagallery.com
Centro, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309; 515/248-1780; www.centrodesmoines.com
South Union Bread Cafe, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309; 515/288-9232; www.southunionbread.com
Fifth Street Finds, 115 5th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265; 515/279-3716
Atomic Garage, 127 5th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265; 515/274-8787
2AU Limited, 200 5th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265; 515/255-7651; www.2aulimited.com
C’est La Vie, 114 5th St., West Des Moines 50265; 515/255-2400
Eden, 500 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309; 515/282-0669; www.edeniowa.com
American Plumbing Supply Co., 504 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309; 515/244-6749
Melrose, 503 E. Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309; 515/244-6341
Basil Prosperi, 407 E. 5th St., Des Moines, IA 50309; 515/243-9819
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