46. COFFEE & COMICS
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 974-0515
Address: 4521 Fleur Dr.
Description: Wedged into a small shopping center by Fleur Cinema and near the Des Moines airport, this shop has a small but varied mix of comics and graphic novels. Cardboard boxes on the front counter hold older and vintage books and are worth a look if you’re looking for classic D.C. or Marvel titles. As the name indicates, there’s a full coffee bar, as well as comfy chairs at the front of the store for perusing your purchases. Open until 10 p.m. Mon through Sat.
47. JAY’S CD & HOBBY
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 287-4578
Address: 3315 SE 14th St.
Description: A huge pop culture smorgasbord, occupying an 11,000-square-foot space, of thousands of used CDs, DVDs, comics, video games, sports cards, action figures, and many other hidden treasures, plopped down alongside a supermarket and large thrift store at one of the busiest intersections in the city. Items are not organized in any particular fashion—expect to spend a lot of time hunting through the racks and bins. This place is run by a crew of young enthusiasts who will gladly jump in to try to help you find what you want, as well as buy your old stuff. Prices are very reasonable. Open 7 days a week.
48. MAYHEM COLLECTIBLES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 271-8104
Address: 7500 University Ave., Suite D
Description: A well-stocked comic lovers’ paradise, with a large back room offering hundreds of used comics, very nicely organized by title. Everything from classic superhero books to more esoteric titles can be found here if you look hard enough. There are plenty of new comics as well, with a wall of new releases up by the front counter, and the staff can help you find what you’re looking for. They also carry card and board games, videos, and novelty items, including all sorts of comic-related collectibles. An adjoining room has long tables where local gamers gather to do battle in fantasy worlds.
49. BADOWER’S ON INGERSOLL
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 283-2121
Address: 2817 Ingersoll Ave.
Description: An upscale yet relaxed haberdashery behind a low-key facade, with a nice selection of casual and dressy clothes, including sport coats, pants, shirts, and accessories. Some stylish designers on the racks, including Hugo Boss and Robert Talbott. The fashion intimidated need not worry—the salesmen here know their clothes, and they’ll set you up with everything from a single piece to a complete outfit, putting together the best combination of fabrics and patterns.
50. MR. B
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 276-8589
Address: 1995 NW 86th St.
Description: A long-standing presence on the local clothing scene, this suburban shop carries multiple lines including Hart Schaffner Marx, Allen Edmonds, and Ike Behar, as well as many others. Their selection of suits and ties is impressive, and there are plenty of casual clothes with elegant touches. They have a reputation for great customer service. On-site tailoring is top-notch as well. There’s also a women’s shop at the same location.
51. AIMEE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 243-0045
Address: 432 E. Locust St.
Description: This East Village boutique is the place for couture—new dresses, tops, and other items arrive almost weekly, with many lines coming from the UK. The owner will pour you a glass of wine or champagne and help you pick out a piece or a whole outfit, but it’s also fun to just browse through the racks of cashmere, fur, wool, and other fabrics. Lots of nice accessories, like scarves and hats and locally designed jewelry, too. Closed Monday.
52. DORNINK
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 255-7528
Address: 518 E. Grand Ave.
Description: Run by a mother-daughter team who together have spent decades in the fashion industry, including time in New York, this elegant little East Village shop offers custom-made bridal and cocktail dresses in colorful silks and other fabrics. Dresses are inspired by top designers yet have their own unique touches and accents. Celebrities and local notables have turned up in Dornink’s work, and you can easily outfit a full bridal party here, including accessories. The designers will work with you throughout the process of creating your dress. Closed Sunday.
53. BIKE WORLD
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 255-7047
Address: 6600 Douglas Ave.
Description: A mecca for local bike enthusiasts, Bike World has 2 floors of bikes and gear at their main shop near Merle Hay Mall. Stocked among the bikes are helmets, jerseys, gloves, and shoes in all sizes for kids and adults. Upstairs are bike racks for vehicles as well as a complete maintenance and repair shop. Most of the staff are bike fanatics, and they know bikes down to the most minute technical specs (the shop isn’t only for serious bike riders—if you just want to pick up a modest bike, you can do that here too). The staff is also a good source of information on local spots to ride and local cycling events. In addition to the flagship store, there are also locations in West Des Moines and Ames. Open 7 days a week “in season,” from spring through fall.
54. ICHI BIKE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 274-0397
Address: 311 E. Walnut St.
Description: If you want to take a nostalgia trip, bike-wise, then you must check this place out. Salvaging old bike frames, workers here slap on new tires and components to create fully functional rides. Classic Cruisers, Fastbacks, and Stingrays from the ’60s and ’70s are in stock here, with high-riser handlebars, banana seats, and springer forks. Some bikes even have the old stick-shift mounted on the frame, and you may also find some original Schwinns from the Chicago factory. Prices vary, and the staff can fix up and trick out your old bike if you bring it in. They also sell new bikes and accessories.
55. RASMUSSEN BIKES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 277-2636
Address: 301 Grand Ave.
Description: Just past 63rd Street, on the western edge of Valley Junction, this modest-size shop is crammed full of bikes and accessories. Plenty of major brands and models are here, with a knowledgeable sales staff to help you pick out the bike that’s right for you. Also carries helmets, clothing, and shoes, and has a full in-house maintenance and repair shop. Chat up some of the staff to find out about good places to ride in the area. Open 7 days during the height of riding season, from spring through fall.
56. BACKCOUNTRY OUTFITTERS
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 255-0031
Address: 2702 Beaver Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: All sorts of camping and outdoor equipment is available at this family-owned Beaverdale shop, from ultralight, high-tech outdoor stoves to an extensive selection of sleeping bags, tents, and accessories. The majority of the store is devoted to clothing, both rugged outdoor gear and more fashionable pieces. Poke around on the sales racks—you can find some really great deals on clothes and shoes. The sales staff includes outdoor buffs who can explain to you the finer points of the gear for sale.
57. FITNESS SPORTS
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 277-4785
Address: 7230 University Ave.
Description: This unassuming storefront in a strip mall just off 73rd Street has an impressive selection of shoes for both serious runners and more casual types. They also carry swimming gear, including suits and accessories. Plenty of local triathletes stock up here in preparation for their next event, but if you just need a new pair of shoes for running or walking, the staff is happy to help you out, and very knowledgeable about the different models of shoes they have for sale. The store also serves as a clearinghouse for information on running races of all lengths all over the Des Moines area and Iowa.
58. ZZZ RECORDS
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 284-1401
Address: 2200 Ingersoll Ave.
Description: A very cool record store that has managed to hold on even in the face of dwindling interest in recordings—they still have long rows of bins containing used vinyl LPs. There’s even new vinyl here—the store has plenty of aficionados of this older format, and the owner gladly stocks it for them. They also carry CDs, new and used, and a small selection of DVDs. There’s a listening station where you can cue up a record for a spin before you decide to buy it. They buy used LPs, which are then added to the stock of thousands. The shop is a little tricky to find—it’s the storefront at the eastern end of a building housing a large audio store. Closed Monday.
59. ALLSPICE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 868-0808
Address: 400 E. Locust
Description: Step inside this bright East Village storefront and you are confronted with a roomful of shelves of clear glass containers holding every spice imaginable, from your basic cinnamon and nutmeg to much more exotic choices, including every type and intensity of chili powders and other spicy seasonings. In the back of the room are metal kettles with a wide selection of olive oils and chile peppers, with flavors ranging from the spicy to the sweet, including chocolate (try a free sample!). The helpful staff can provide recommendations, recipes, and cooking tips, and there are occasional cooking classes offered. Closed Sunday.
60. CHOCOLATERIE STAM
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (515) 282-9575
Address: 2814 Ingersoll Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: This unique chocolate shop started in the Netherlands and now has locations in both that country and all over the American Midwest. Glass cases are filled with chocolate creams, marzipans, bonbons, truffles, and many other delights. There’s also a full selection of gelato, which is a bit pricey, but it’s velvety smooth, with flavors like berry, lime, and mango peach as well as several chocolate-based varieties. The shop sells wines from Iowa wineries as well. The Ingersoll location has an elegant indoor seating area, as well as some outdoor seating by a tranquil fountain, which is a nice place to hang out on warm evenings. An additional location is at the Valley West Mall, 1551 35th St., West Des Moines, (515) 457-8464.