Above: With an eclectic mix of merchandise, She Home & Gift is the latest boutique retailer to stake a claim in the East Village neighborhood.
This past week has been one of those with fun bits of news hitting us from multiple sides. To keep you in the loop, here’s the scoop for shoppers, beer drinkers, distillery buffs and recreational athletes, plus anyone who just wants to stay in the know:
She Home & Gift: When we checked out She, which opened in the East Village earlier this month, we were immediately impressed by three things: the well-curated and exclusive collection of goods you won’t find elsewhere; the creative and engaging way the merchandise is displayed; and the infectious enthusiasm of owners Gina Owen and Sheila Sayre. The store at the corner of Locust and East Fourth streets offers decorative objects especially suitable for downtown living spaces, including lamps, artwork, a sophisticated array of barware, and French-inspired accessories. You’ll also find carefully selected personal care items, B’s Knees candles, chocolates and jewelry. For a look at the store, view this short video on the shop’s Facebook page.
Foundry Distilling and Alchemy Lounge: The distillery and its resident lounge opened Saturday at the Foundry in West Des Moines. Fun feature: Patrons can sign up to create barrels of whiskey with their own distinctive flavor notes. Prefer your drink in a glass rather than a barrel? The sleek Alchemy Lounge is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday evenings.
Smash Park: This 47,000-square-foot site for sports and recreation at 6625 Coach Light Drive in West Des Moines, opens in September, with a bar, restaurant, pickleball courts and backyard games. Smash Park will produce events, from yoga to dodgeball, and will be available as an event center for private parties, large or small.
The Chicken: A new tavern featuring sandwiches and other chicken-centric chow, the Chicken has drawn attention from cyclists along the Great Western Trail. It’s the latest hatchling of Full Court Press, the operation that successfully keeps beer at the center of its menu offerings at multiple sites. Motorists will find the Chicken at 4221 Orilla Road. For cyclists, head south toward Cumming. It’s out there.
