City of Des Moines
Small Business Minute
| | Welcome to the April edition of the City of Des Moines Small Business Minute! Spring is in full swing, and so is the energy in our local business community. This month, we’re spotlighting the programs, opportunities, and inspiring small businesses that make Des Moines a great place to start and grow a business. Whether you’re launching something new or fine-tuning your next big move, you’ll find tools and ideas here to support your journey. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to feature in a future issue? We’d love to hear from you! | | SMALL BUSINESS OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS | | |
Joppa Experience, now open at 1829 6th Avenue in Des Moines, brings Chicago-style soul food to the city with bold flavors and heartfelt cooking. Founded by Chef Christine Johnson—whose journey began in the Merle Hay Mall food court—the restaurant offers comforting favorites like Italian beef sandwiches, hand-breaded catfish, and fried chicken wings with signature "Hot Honey" sauce. The Friday soul food menu features jerk chicken, oxtails, and sides like creamy mac and cheese, collard greens, cabbage, and sweet potatoes to round out a weekly menu that feeds both body and soul. It's a flavorful new addition to Des Moines' north side dining scene. The restaurant is open from 11am - 7pm Thursday - Monday and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For mouth-watering food photographs and more information, visit Joppa Experience on Facebook.
Joppa Experience received building rehabilitation support through our Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) Program—and we're thrilled to see them now open on the 6th Avenue Corridor!
| | TARBOOSH LEBANESE KITCHEN | | Tarboosh Lebanese Kitchen is a new food trailer that has begun popping up at various locations around Des Moines’ late-night hotspots. The simple menu contains Middle Eastern classics such as shawarma, falafel, and baklava, with a mix of wrapped or pita’d options for entrees. It’s the perfect spot to get your late night craving as the trailer keeps regular weekend hours of 9am to 3pm. Want to know where Tarboosh will be posting up next? Follow their Instagram at tarboosh.dsm or check out their Facebook page for the latest locational updates. | | From “In the Works” to officially open! The East Village in Des Moines is even sweeter with the grand opening of The Creamery at 424 E. Locust Street. Expanding from its original Polk City location, The Creamery’s signature small-batch, handcrafted ice creams are now easily accessible for downtown residents and visitors. Open daily from noon to 9 p.m., The Creamery offers a rotating selection of classic and inventive flavors, all made with fresh, local ingredients. Among their popular flavors are Puppy Chow, Monster Cookie, Salted Caramel, and Brownie. In addition to hardpack ice cream, The Creamery serves soft serve, shakes, malts, Dole Whip, and slushees. Check them out on Facebook. | | GLOBAL GREENS INTERNATIONAL FARMERS MARKET | | |
Lutheran Services in Iowa’s (LSI) Global Greens International Farmer’s Market returns on May 18! This market will run on Saturdays through October at Polk County Health, 1907 Carpenter Avenue, from 9am to 12:30pm. 2025 marks the Market’s 10th year. An offshoot of LSI’s Global Greens refugee farmers program, this veggie-heavy Market is a way for small farmers and business owners to sell their crops/wares to a wider audience. Global Greens is an arm of LSI’s refugee resettlement services, providing wraparound assistance for individuals interested in starting small farming businesses. LSI can help provide land access, business development assistance, and technical support for refugees interested in getting in touch with the land and farming sustainably. Learn more at https://lsiowa.org/ircs/market/.
| | Know a small business that either recently located in Des Moines or made a significant investment to their existing Des Moines location? We’d love to hear about it! Drop us a line at oed@dmgov.org or 515-283-4004. Be sure to mention “small business” in any email subject lines. | | |
Palm’s Caribbean, a local farmer’s market mainstay (catch them Downtown for the May 3 market opening!) and a RAGBRAI favorite, is in the midst of settling into its first brick and mortar location. Anticipated to open up by the end of May, Palm’s will occupy a tenant bay located at 1905 Ingersoll Avenue (suite 106, on the very west end of the strip, to be exact). Honed over the years in the Mickle Center, a shared-use commercial kitchen/incubator in Des Moines’ Sherman Hill neighborhood, Palm’s following has been growing in recent years through their success at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, various pop-ups around the City, and as a featured route vendor along RAGBRAI.
A ton of planning has gone into their new space – between the visuals, decor, menu, and overall ambience of the space, they aim to bring something refreshing and unique to Des Moines. The menu will feature a fusion of the African diaspora, focusing on West African and Caribbean-inspired flavors, with some American flairs when needed. In addition to the food, Palm’s will offer a crafted cocktail menu, making their own syrups from scratch, just like the food (famous Palm’s food favorites include items such as jerk chicken, beef patties, rice, and yams). Keep tabs on all the updates on their Facebook page or by following @palms_dsm on Instagram.
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Bar Martinez is slated to debut at 515 Euclid Avenue in Des Moines' Highland Park neighborhood, bringing a fresh wave of cocktail culture to the area. Helmed by Travis Oler, the lounge will offer a curated menu of classic and contemporary cocktails, all crafted with precision and served over artisanal ice. Bar Martinez aims to create a welcoming neighborhood spot that blends timeless cocktail traditions with a modern, community-focused atmosphere. The building rehabilitation and project development was powered by Delaney Entreprises and White Oak Realty, with support from the City of Des Moines Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program and the InvestDSM Commercial Grant Program.
| | LEGACY BUSINESS OF THE MONTH | | DES MOINES STAMP MANUFACTURING COMPANY | |
 | | Tucked into an unassuming building on the northern edge of downtown at 851 6th Avenue, Des Moines Stamp Manufacturing Company has been quietly making its mark on our community —literally—since 1880. This family-owned operation is one of the city’s oldest businesses, and while stamps might not scream excitement at first glance, walk through their doors and you’ll find a captivating world of creativity and customization. From sleek pre-inked stamps and old-school rubber stamps to notary seals, architect and engineer embossers, and even custom engraved signs, they’ve got the tools to help you leave an impression. Whether you’re a business looking for branding tools or someone who just wants to stamp “Denied!” on everything in sight, they’ve got you covered. The company operates Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and is closed on weekends. For inquiries or orders, customers can contact them at (800) 782-6763 or via email at info@dmstamp.com. More information and online ordering options are available on their website: www.dmstamponline.com. With over 140 years of experience, Des Moines Stamp proves that great impressions never go out of style.
| | HERE'S YOUR SCOOP ON DSM ICE CREAM SPOTS | | |
The days are getting longer, and that sun is starting to feel warmer…we’d say it’s time for ice cream! There are a plethora of options to choose from in the City of Des Moines to get your frozen dairy fix. A cheat sheet to the City’s local shops is below.
La Michoacana Ice Cream (4944 Douglas Avenue) – This outpost has a wide assortment of Mexican hot foods, snacks, frozen treats, and of course, ice cream! A partially-shaded patio provides respite during those hot summer months.
Snookie’s (1810 Beaver Avenue) – This longtime Beaverdale institution is famous for its retro feel, iconic sign, and lots of “straw-requiring” frozen options. It’s a classic spot for a summer night’s ice cream fix.
Black Cat Ice Cream (2511 Cottage Grove Avenue) – Black Cat is notable for its commitment to quirky, experimental flavors. Nestled in the Drake neighborhood, it’s in a charmer of a building with an expansive, shaded patio.
Paleteria La Michoacana (1552 E Grand Avenue) – With dozens of flavors, this Capitol East shop will leave you paralyzed in line. The airy space is perfect to cool off with an iconic paleta (Mexican-style popsicle).
Dairy Zone (2219 E University Avenue) – This venerable East Side hangout sprouts long lines daily. Another shop with iconic signage, Dairy Zone is the home of the “Tornado” frozen treat.
Granny’s Sweet Freeze Shoppe (3417 Hubbell Avenue) – An ice cream shop that has been passed down through multiple generations, Granny’s draws crowds from all over the City with their delectable Arctic Swirls. Plus, it’s right off the Gay Lea Wilson bike trail!
Classic Frozen Custard (4000 SE 14th Street) – An architecturally notable Southside spot, a crowd on Classic’s patio definitely means summer is in full swing. Their famed Twisters hit right on a hot summer day.
La Premium Michoacana (1434 Des Moines Street) – This near East Side shop transplants visitors to the tropics. In addition to ice cream, elaborate fruit cups and refreshing aguas frescas (fruity, chilled beverages) make an appearance on the menu.
La Ventanita Snack Bar (605 Douglas Avenue) – Located in the northern end of the Highland Park business district, this cozy place has Instagram-worthy creations such as raspados (shaved ice), piña loca (stuffed pineapple), and elote (Mexican street corn) in addition to ice cream!
Molly’s Frozen (322 E Court Avenue) – Established in a funky East Village storefront, Molly’s rotates classic ice cream flavors alongside experimental new ones. It’s the perfect spot for dessert after a night out Downtown.
The Creamery (424 E Locust Street) – The City’s newest ice cream joint, located in the heart of the East Village, offers an array of frozen products ranging from soft serve, to hard pack, to Dole whip, to slushees, to shakes/malts!
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SHOP TALK
A monthly feature where we attempt to explain, in simple terms, various topics related to doing business in the City of Des Moines.
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Home-based Business Considerations
Do you dream of running a business from the comfort of your home here in Des Moines? Already have one in operation? You’re not alone—and the good news is, the city makes it possible to legally operate a home-based business as long as you follow a few key rules.
First, the City of Des Moines allows home-based businesses—what we officially call “home occupations”—in most residential zoning districts, but there are limits to keep things peaceful. Your business has to stay small and low-impact. That means no outdoor signage (sorry, no neon blinking lights in the front yard), no extra traffic or deliveries that disrupt the block, and no employees coming to and from unless they live in the home. You can’t use more than 25% of your home’s total floor area for your business, and you can’t make, display, or sell products outside. So yes, your kitchen-turned-cupcake-lab is probably fine, but turning the garage into a mini car repair shop? Probably not so much.
If your business involves clients or customers coming to your home—like if you’re cutting hair, tutoring students, or offering massage therapy—you may need a Conditional Use Permit from our Zoning Board of Adjustment. This isn’t a scary process, but it does mean filling out an application and possibly attending a public meeting to explain how you’ll avoid turning the block into a parking nightmare.
From the State of Iowa’s side, you’ll also need to make sure you’re registered properly. Many home-based businesses need a state sales tax permit, especially if you’re selling goods or taxable services. You’ll also want to register your business name with the Iowa Secretary of State if you're not using your personal name. And depending on your industry—whether you’re a baker, a bookkeeper, or a beautician—there might be extra state licenses or health regulations to comply with.
The fun part? You get to build something of your own, right where you live. Des Moines has a long tradition of supporting small businesses, and starting from home is a great way to test your idea, grow at your own pace, and keep overhead low. Ready to take the next step and start your home-based business? Want to make sure your existing operation is in compliance? Just want to sit down and share your story and see how we can help? Give us a call or send us an email! We’d love to meet you.
Special Considerations: Food-Based Businesses
If your home-based business involves food production, Iowa has specific guidelines. "Cottage food" operations, which produce non-potentially hazardous foods like baked goods or jams, can operate without a license if they sell directly to consumers. However, if you're producing items that require time and temperature control, you may need to register as a Home Food Processing Establishment and adhere to additional regulations. For more detailed information about State of Iowa regulations, Cottage Food Law
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Whether it’s aggregate needed at job sites, lumber waiting to be shipped out for the next build, or crates that just ran out places to be put in the warehouse, many industrial businesses require some sort of outdoor storage component as part of their typical operations. Outdoor storage is often the visual hallmark of industrial areas.
Many cities have regulations around the geographic location, placement on site, screening, intensity, and materials permitted for outdoor storage areas, and Des Moines is no different. These types of regulations exist to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community at large. Outdoor storage regulations attempt to flexibly allow vital industrial functions/activities to take place on properties while also mitigating potential negative impacts that can result from outdoor storage yards that can adversely affect peoples’ health, safety, and general welfare. Are you or a business you know attempting to establish a new outdoor storage area in Des Moines? Read on for a primer on outdoor storage regulations in the City.
As a general rule of thumb, outdoor storage is permitted in I1 or I2 (industrial) zoning districts, with some small exceptions in other zoning districts for large-format retail users (think: storage yard at a Menard’s) or wholesale sales uses, for example. Outdoor storage (both from an accessory and primary use standpoint) is an industrial use, and is generally not permitted in the City’s mixed-use zoning districts that dominate the commercial nodes and corridors in our neighborhoods and along the busiest streets. How should outdoor storage areas look? The City of Des Moines’ outdoor storage regulations are outlined below.
Storage area siting:
- For outdoor storage areas on sites with buildings, outdoor storage must be located in the rear or interior side yard of the lot.
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In I1 and I2 zoning districts, outdoor storage yards can also be standalone, primary uses without buildings and thus don’t have front, rear, or side yards.
- Regardless of the presence of a building on site or not, outdoor storage areas must be set back a minimum of 25 feet from any street frontage and a minimum of 10 feet from all other lot lines.
- All outdoor storage areas must be designed to allow no part of any stored material, vehicles or equipment to encroach into the required setbacks.
- Groundcover surfacing:
- Asphalt millings are an acceptable groundcover material for outdoor storage areas (i.e., material/equipment laydown areas specifically). Gravel is not an acceptable material. Any areas used for vehicular driving, parking, or maneuvering need to have a hard asphalt or Portland cement surface.
Screening/Buffering
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All outdoor storage areas shall be screened from view of adjacent lots and streets using the “medium buffer” unless adjacent to an N zoning district which requires the use of the “heavy buffer.”
- Medium buffer: 5’ buffer, 6’ tall opaque fence, shade trees planted every 40’
- Heavy buffer: 10’ buffer, 6’ tall opaque fence, mix of shade, ornamental, and evergreen trees planted for every 100’ of buffer length
Materials stacking/storage guidance
- Loose materials (i.e., aggregate, gravel, etc.) must not be stacked higher than six feet and shall, at a minimum, be stored in a three-sided covered shelter (i.e., “bin blocks” or similar).
- Goods, materials and equipment must not be stacked higher than the height of the perimeter screening/fencing.
As we’ve discussed previously in this newsletter, many sites around Des Moines have what are known as legal non-conforming rights to outdoor storage areas that have existed, and continue to exist. There are outdoor storage areas in the City that may not meet the zoning district parameters or site design regulations spelled out above (i.e., they may not be located in an industrial zoning district, they may be located in a front yard, they may have gravel as their primary groundcover material, etc.). These areas are allowed to remain and be maintained as they are – they just can’t be expanded, or go away and come back. If you have questions on establishing outdoor storage areas, or are thinking about moving your business’ operations to an existing outdoor storage space and have questions on what you can or can’t do, give the City’s Planning Division a call at 515-283-4200 or email planning@dmgov.org.
| | SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE PARTNERS | | Drake Business Accelerator | | The Drake Business Accelerator is a stalwart business development program that has become a must-do for any Des Moines-based entrepreneur. The 12-week course has spring and fall cohorts every year where dozens of prospective and current business owners participate and learn best practices for starting or growing their small business. Course content includes sessions on business planning, legal considerations, marketing, the regulatory environment, accounting, accessing capital, presenting ideas, and more. Classes are taught by expert faculty and staff from Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business. All sessions are held on Monday evenings, in-person, on Drake’s campus. Classes frequently include guest speakers from different industries, nonprofit partners, financial institutions, business development firms, and government agencies that touch the small business space and can provide expert thoughts/insights on the topic at hand. The program conclusion includes real-life pitch sessions where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to business and industry-specific leaders for commentary and feedback on their ideas/business plans. The best part about the Accelerator is that it is absolutely free for community members. You can find out more about the Accelerator program at this link or by contacting the program’s administrator, Curtis Baugh, at curtis.baugh@drake.edu. | | |
Pi515—short for “Pursuit of Innovation”—is a Des Moines-based nonprofit rewriting the narrative for refugee and underserved youth by equipping them with real-world tech skills and mentorship. Founded in 2014 by Nancy Mwirotsi, the organization started with a small coding class and has since grown into a powerhouse of opportunity, helping over 1,000 students gain confidence and career-ready skills in fields like coding, robotics, and entrepreneurship.
Located at 710 9th Street, thanks to support from Principal Financial Group, Pi515 runs programs like the Tech Mentorship Program, Smart Cities, and a Girls’ Entrepreneurship Incubator. Students not only learn cutting-edge tech but also gain connections that open doors to internships and jobs at companies like Wells Fargo and Principal. To support the mission, community members can donate, volunteer, or mentor—and anyone interested in getting involved can visit www.pi515.org to learn more.
| | UPCOMING CLASSES, TRAININGS, & EVENTS | | |
April 27 - Vintage Sale & Makers Market @ Ritual Café - This Sunday, Ritual Café is hosting a Vintage Sale & Makers Market from 11am - 3pm, offering a curated selection of vintage clothing, handmade goods, and unique finds from local vendors. Visitors can enjoy the café’s all-vegetarian menu and locally roasted organic coffee while browsing the market. Ritual Café is located at 1301 Locust Street.
May 1 - Raising Capital for Startups - The Greater Des Moines Partnership is hosting an all-day seminar on May 1 focused on equity financing for startups. Attendees will learn about raising capital, financial modeling, and pitching to investors, with the added benefit of a free one-hour SWOT analysis from startup experts. To register, visit Greater Des Moines Partnership
May 1 - Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Event - Join the Greater Des Moines Partnership, CIRAS and the Indianola Chamber of Commerce for Contracting Opportunities for Small Business to learn how to develop relationships with local government agencies and other business corporations in the contracting space. The event will include short briefings from each participating agency and companies highlighting how to do business with them followed by an opportunity to network. A light lunch will be provided. Register here: Greater Des Moines Partnership
May 2 - ¡Fiesta! at Rollins Mansion - This free event celebrates Central Iowa's Latino culture with live music, traditional dancing, and local food trucks and is hosted in partnership with Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival. Registration is not required, but for more information visit https://www.rollinsmansion.com/event/fiesta-rollins-mansion/.
May 3 - Downtown Farmers’ Market Opening Day - Celebrating its 50th season, the Downtown Farmers’ Market kicks off on May 3, expanding to 12 city blocks and welcoming 49 new vendors. This expansion offers small businesses a prime opportunity to showcase their products to an estimated 40,000 opening-day shoppers, fostering community engagement and boosting local commerce. Visit https://www.dsmpartnership.com/desmoinesfarmersmarket/ for all the details.
May 23 - Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Application Deadline - The application deadline for the Fall 2025 cohort of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is May 23. This no-cost program offers practical business education and support services, making it a valuable opportunity for small business owners looking to scale. To apply, visit https://iowa10ksb.com/program.html.
July 9 – The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families’ Small Business Solutions Center has just announced a partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in the hosting of a ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Course on Wednesday, July 9 from 9am to 6pm at the Evelyn K. Davis Center (1171 7th Street, Des Moines). This is an excellent opportunity for food-focused small business owners to obtain needed training for certificates and licensures that are required to prepare, deliver, and serve food for commercial purposes in the state of Iowa. Financial support for this program may be available; for questions on this, please contact Sam Early with EKD’s Small Business Solutions Center at sdearly@dmacc.edu. For questions on course content and purpose, you can contact either Tom Keinert (tkeinert@iastate.edu) or Daniela Lopez (ldaniela@iastate.edu) with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Have an event idea you want to be featured? Feel free to drop us a line, we are always looking to add events to our calendar.
| | CITY OF DES MOINES SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER | | |
If you or someone you know is a small business just starting out, looking to expand, or just wants to hear about what types of resources/assistance are available within the City of Des Moines, we'd love to hear from you!
How can we help?
- Assess how “ready” small businesses are to open up a physical location in the City
- Refer small businesses to the City’s various resource partners (think: Small Business Administration, lending institutions, business development organizations, etc.)
- Provide parameters for individuals looking for physical space in the City, and outlining City requirements before businesses formally engage with City processes
- Interface with the City’s various Chambers of Commerce and other community partners
- Meet with various agencies, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and other organizations in the City’s small business ecosystem to hear the opportunities, challenges, successes, and barriers for small businesses in Des Moines
- Visit businesses and try to tell their story (see: this week’s newsletter!)
- Connect small businesses with other Departments/divisions at the City
- Provide a “small business” perspective for the City’s overall land development strategy
- Attend community events and provide information on City processes/procedures and available small business assistance within the community
Please share this newsletter with others.
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“April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.”
― T.S. Eliot
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