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!

Nook & Nest is a cute little gift store on Main Street in Ames. Compared to other downtowns in…read moreIowa, Ames is in pretty good shape with this store, Dog Eared Books, Cafe Diem (coffee), Oak Lane Candle, a couple decent restaurants and bars, and other businesses lining the boulevard. There's free parking in the lot next to the railroad tracks, so wandering around is a pretty easy and pleasant proposition. Although Nook & Nest features an interesting selection of home goods, I was drawn to the paper, including notebooks and cards from Moglea of Des Moines, and various other brands that would fill anyone's greeting card, writing, listing, habit tracking, and/or planning needs. I'm now stocked up for awhile (and with more than I really need), but when I return to Ames in a few months, who knows?

Located in downtown Ames, this place is a really good place to visit if you are looking for a gift,…read moregreeting cards, home furniture, or a unique item. I have visited twice, and found fun stuff both times, including some great cards that I have not seen elsewhere. The customer service is kind and never pushy, and their buyer has impeccable taste. I do like the layout of the store, as you're not cramped at all, a store that has plenty of space if you're browsing and not quite sure what direction that you're headed. I am grateful for Jamie Nessa's guidance on my last visit.

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.

Beautiful venue. The staff are super friendly. Greeted the minute we entered the door. We…read moreattended a cooking demo and the place is set up perfectly for this. My only disappointment was I didn't read the offering properly and when I got there I was disappointed to find it was a demo not hands on. I really wanted to see if I could make them. French Macarons really intimidate me. So I thought there might have been a disconnect with the price and it not being hands on and only receiving 2 macarons. I know they are refining the experience so please give them a try. They offer many kinds of classes from savory to sweet! Give this super cool and hip joint a try!

I had such a fun shopping experience at Quilting Connection this afternoon. So many bolts of fabric…read moreand friendly staff. I felt welcomed. The next time we take a road trip in this direction, I'll make a point of visiting again.

I know they will always have what I need. Kelly, the owner is so good and all the ladies that work…read morethere are so helpful. It's the best material store in our area.

The Knittery Nook has been with me through thick and thin. Thank you for enabling my yarn habits…read moreand thank you for your quality service and exciting selection. I have highly enjoyed getting to know all of the attendants through the years I've lived here. I wish i could stay in Ames longer and spend more time here. This is probably my favorite place in the city. I have also spent over 1k here in total over two years because i chew through yarn like it's a full time job. Will definitely be ordering online next time i need 999,999 skeins of alpaca. Love you all very much, and i am so sad to leave. I'll have to visit sometime.

I love this yarn store! It has a fun, modern vibe and didn't feel stuffy or old lady-ish at all. I…read morewas really surprised to find a really good selection of cotton yarns there. Most yarn stores I go to don't have cotton yarns which are great for Amigurumi (something I'm really into right now). They even had a cool Amigurumi book that I've had my eye on for a while. They also had some Amigurumi animals that they had made up using the cotton yarns, which is really a smart idea because they showed off the yarns really well. I chatted with a person who I think was the owner and she was really friendly and helpful. We talked about Amigurumi and crocheting, which I found very refreshing because most of the yarn stores I've been to cater mostly to knitters. I really like that they had books and tools for knitters and crocheters. I do both but I'm more comfortable with crocheting. I bought a hank of cotton yarn and the woman I was chatting with wound it into a ball for me. I really love that! They also teach knitting and crocheting classes. I can't wait to take one of their classes. I just can't say enough good things about this place. It feels like a relaxed and fun environment. I wish there was a store like this in Des Moines.

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!

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.