Where to shop, eat and drink coffee in the Highland Park neighborhood in Des Moines
One in an occasional series of neighborhood guides in the Des Moines metro.
Historic Highland Park and Oak Park neighborhoods in Des Moines are going through a renaissance of sorts with new shopping experiences joining legendary bakeries and restaurants. The intersection of Sixth and Euclid avenues three miles north of downtown Des Moines sits the Highland Park Historic Business District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1998.
Since 2020, the neighborhood has seen a bevy of new businesses open, as well as old places take on a new life. Here’s a look at some of what’s new, with plenty of new businesses on the way. Interesting note: each of these businesses is owned by a woman.
The Des Moines Mercantile
Mallory Richardson opened the Des Moines Mercantile in Highland Park in 2020 with the feel of an old shop selling local products from slices of soap and refillable candles to scoops, brushes and brooms, most made in Iowa. This general store also invites vendors in for a day of shopping along Sixth Avenue with a street fair atmosphere. Puzzles, cards, coffee table books, T-shirts and totes make this a nice stop for a gift, whether for family or friends.
Location: 3707 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
Contact: desmoinesmercantile.com
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More: Des Moines Mercantile, a 'modern-day general store,' opening in Highland Park
ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery
Since 1946, this veteran bake shop has provided everything from traditional cakes and cookies, to doughnuts and pastries. Elizabeth “ChaCha” and Ed Kirkman recently took over the bakery, adding the baker’s cheesecakes and pies to the mix. The Kirkmans also expanded the hours and offer classes such as cookie decorating.
Location: 3615 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-282-4059
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Slow Down Coffee Co.
Back in 2020, Drew and Kara Kelso remodeled the 100-year-old building that formerly housed the Highland Park Hardware store into the Slow Down Coffee Co., a neighborhood coffee shop with pastries, salads and more. The restaurant teams up with local companies such as Windmill Coffee Roasters in Ames to source the beans, as well as tea from Red Dragon, vegan and vegetarian dishes from New World Kitchen and Nourished, and pastries from LeeTy Delights, Scenic Route Bakery, Oh High Bakery, and Thistle’s Summit. Find books and puzzles for purchase as well as art on the walls that can be yours.
Location: 3613 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
Contact: theslowdowndsm.com or 515-630-7000
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More: The Slow Down coffee shop opens in former Hiland Park Hardware building
Chuck’s Restaurant
Chuck’s Restaurant — the Italian mainstay with a menu of thin-crust pizza, signature onion rings, cocktails and live music nights — went through a $1.4 million remodel and reopened for dine-in service in January 2022. The restaurant, which Chuck and Elizabeth Bisignano originally opened in 1956, was purchased by Emily Jones in 2014 after the death of longtime owner Linda Bisignano. The newest addition? A breakfast pizza, Sunday morning and early afternoon hours and bloody Marys and mimosas.
Location: 3610 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-381-3118 or chucksdsm.com
Hours: Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday from 4:30 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Divine Times Vintage
This vintage store from Jerrica Yasumura opened a year ago on Euclid Avenue and just expanded to an upper level. Look for funky finds spanning clothing, home décor, furniture and more along with guest vendors who bring their own finds to the space. Each vendor has their own little section of the store during a special appearance, and some are decorated like a sitting room. “New” items on the second level include a rainbow of clothing, denim, albums, handbags, a reading nook, sepia-toned photos, pinup girls, and trading cards.
Location: 521 Euclid Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-650-3577
Hours: Open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Kays Spiritual Ways
This new boutique opened almost six weeks ago with a fun mix of tarot and oracle cards, tumbled crystals, jewelry and candles from owner Kayla Carre. Occasionally the shop offers tarot card readings. Stop in just to browse and enjoy a sense of calm that envelopes the space.
Location: 501 Euclid Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-650-9974 or kaysspiritualways.com
Hours: Open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More: How to spend a perfect day near Drake University with food, drinks, shopping and more
Art Terrarium
Owner Andrea Metzler opened this plant store in 2016 during Art Week and moved up to Highland Park from downtown Des Moines earlier in 2023. The shop offers workshops, classes, and repotting at a potting bar for plant parents. Find an assortment of plants ranging from succulents and cacti, tropical plants, trailing and more. Everything from cuttings to giant plants is in the store. Looking for a unique venue? Art Terrarium is also for rent.
Location: 520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines
Contact: artterrarium.com or 515-282-8325
Hours: Open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More: How to spend a perfect day in downtown Des Moines with food, drinks and more
Rayna Art
Mehndi and licensed tattoo artist Rayna Ross says she is the first Indian woman-owned tattoo parlor in the country, and her boutique is right in the heart of Highland Park. Sundara specializes in two main types of tattoos: flash — pre-drawn images created specifically for tattoos — and freehand.
Location: 3523 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
Contact: raynaart.co
Hours: By appointment
More: Rayna Ross runs the nation’s first Indian woman-owned tattoo parlor
The Collective
Jamie Nicolino moved her sustainable, vegan and bulk item shop The Collective from Southwest Fifth Avenue to Highland Park in July 2022. Refill shampoos, laundry detergent, toothpaste and more from this boutique, and then shop for reusable food pouches, organic tea towels and plastic hair ties.
Location: 3523 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
Contact: thecollectivedsm.com
Hours: Open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: The best places to eat, drink and shop in the Highland Park neighborhood
