The ISU Bookstore remains on my "must stop by" list whenever I'm in Ames. Over the years,…read more"bookstore" has lost some of its meaning as ISU-branded merchandise sales and gradually taken over more and more floor space. However, there's still a modest stationary/art supplies section, an area for textbooks (strange to say that in a digital world), and a nice computer area in the back (and close to the stairway to or from the parking garage). As an Iowa Hawkeye grad, I have little interest in the ISU branded stuff, unless it involves a gift to my less enlightened Cyclone family members or friends. But the selection is impressive and the rivalry is light and friendly. And they'll validate your parking with a smile.

Great selection of clothes and gift items, fun events throughout the year too! I love that they are…read morealways coming out with new merch!

It's not a bad place to shop. With all of the recent moral problems in the media and whatnot, I…read moresincerely try not to shop here, but in a competition between this and Wal-Mart, it usually wins. The interior is always clean, and while everything isn't always in perfect placement in the shelves, it's usually nearby or pretty close to where it should be. The store has a lot of random stuff - such is Hobby Lobby. You can buy random (but pretty, honestly) decorations for your home, framing for your photos or artwork, calligraphy supplies, fabric, seasonal stuff, paints, all types of posterboard, and so much more. It's a pretty big store, and they've done an okay job of organizing everything. Once you walk around it a few times, you'll have a general idea of where things are mostly located. I've had to return some items here before. Returns went smoothly and were processed without much of a problem. The biggest problem with this store is the staffing. The staff is nice enough, but no matter when I manage to go, I always get stuck in this a really long check-out line. There might be three other employees in the general vicinity - or even they sometimes come and stop by to chat with the employee running the register, but rarely does another employee hop onto a register. I understand that not all employees are trained for that, but when it starts being a line of 6 people and everything is going extremely slowly because the person has a giant cart of tiny items or is returning items (which is done in the same single-cashier line), it can get pretty slow. I've easily spent 15 minutes waiting in line here on multiple occasions. It's partly the customer's fault, I'm sure, as many of them aren't in a hurry so they don't rush through the check-out process, but still, it's frustrating. The cost of some of the items is also another problem. I don't expect cheap, but depending on what you're buying (especially if you're purchasing decor or furniture), you can expect to spend quite a bit of money. Some of the craft supplies are definitely cheaper, but their decor items can rack up quickly. Final thoughts: It's clean, easy-to-shop in, and the employees are friendly enough. They usually have a general idea of where things are if you need to find something. If possible, I'd much rather shop at Jo-Anns which is just next door, but there are lots of things Jo-Anns doesn't carry. For those things, I'll be heading to Hobby Lobby - and making sure I'm not in a hurry.

Tami in the fabrics department was so helpful. She was precise and pleasant when helping me with…read morethe upholstery, but assisting me in finding the right sewing machine is where she shines! She taught me so much in the short time I was there!

The Frame Shop is absolutely the best. I have had framing done there for decades. The two women…read morewho work there have guided me to be absolutely happy with every framing. Further, they brought back to life a 100 year old piece that had fallen from a wall.

I had The Frame Shop frame a sketch my father had done on vellum (very thin paper) and they did…read morean absolutely fantastic job with it!!! It was a complex framing with sketch on a white backing and glass raised above the sketch so it didn't touch the sketch. I am very impressed with their work!!!

A unique store with an exceptional owner (Rob Beers) in the heart of Valley Junction's 5th Street…read more It was such a fun first visit! I'm a techy person, but I love great writing utensils, and I enjoyed exploring Beers' shop because he is the owner and one of the Midwest's last pen makers. He told me of the store's history and showed me some available (and very cool) items. If I hadn't just been getting over pneumonia, I would have bought some items, but I was running out of energy when I arrived at Quill and Nib. Cool calligraphy, fountain pens, notebooks, and writing paper are in the store, but it is the service that cannot be matched locally. I'm coming back.

the guy is really kind and amazing to purchase from and he has top quality pens. So good that I'm…read moregoing to give it to my girlfriend for Christmas.

All you have to do is look at my stash of paper and ephemera to know I would buy everything in this…read moreshop, if money were no object. The first time I walked in someone from the staff asked if they could help me and my response was, "I can tell I am in trouble." If you are a paper crafter of any level, this is the place to visit. They carry exquisite papers, embellishments, die cuts, inks, etc. I have also taken a class and found it to be very fun and I learned a lot of new techniques. Every time I am in Ankeny, I stop in and tend to drop more cash than I should...but then I go home and admire my purchases for hours on end.

This place is really cool! I found Five Monkeys through Yelp after searching art boutiques. I'm…read morefrom out of town and have been working in Des Moines for the last few months. I have started collecting local paintings from the places I visit and was desperate to find a piece from Iowa. Five Monkeys did not disappoint! This place is adjoined to a music store that sells vinyl records. Five Monkeys features clothing, paintings, jewelry, pottery, and other local trinkets. A lot of the jewelry is very unique and different. Many of the pieces from the various designers looked like one-of-a-kind items. I opted for a pair of glass earrings and a painting called "The Little One", which I could be wrong, but may have been painted by the owner of the boutique. She was very helpful and friendly. The painting was just what I was looking for! In the back of the store, there is a paint-your-own-ceramics studio, where people can pick out items to paint and then pick them up after they've been fired in the kiln. I thought that was really cool, and saw everything back there from unicorns to mugs to tiki shot glasses. I wish I had known about this place months ago, but I'm glad that I at least went there before leaving town. If you haven't been to Five Monkeys, then you need to go!

Really had a great girls day here! Pricing is reasonable, staff is friendly & helpful. They have a…read morehuge stock of available pottery for painting. From what we were told they get regular shipments allowing for a diverse range of projects to choose from! I can't wait to see my finished piece. They also ship, if you're worried about how you'll get your project after completion.

5/5 experience. I attended a 4 course (5 if you include the wedge salad) Italian style menu/demo…read more This reminded me of a supper club I attended years ago in south Florida. This concept was slightly different as the pasta portion was hands on. I really enjoyed that because I learned a good bit about pasta & Ive made it in the past but it was so dense. Food was delicious throughout. They also have a bar & have some seasonable cocktails so that was a nice touch. I enjoyed that it was interactive & open. The space itself is designed well & the kitchen is what I dream of having in my own home one day! Haha. They offer so many different events all with different price points.

you really can't go wrong with the entry level class where you are serve, ask questions, taste…read moretest, and bring home a recipe. it's a curated but chill environment with no such thing as a stupid question.