A note from a loyal Silver Spider serial shopper... a repeat customer, to say the least…read more This is a supremely cool and eclectic one stop gift shop oozing with character in the Old Capitol Mall. Don't know what to get that special someone in your life? Seriously, do yourself a favor and just take a stroll through this adorable store. The possibilities are endless. In college I'd stop in any time I had time to burn between classes. I've gotten sunglasses, jewelry, clever magnets, coffee table books, clothes, a wallet, hats, children's finger puppets... the list goes on and on. As a non-student resident now, I relish the times I can pop in and explore. I've never gone in looking for something and left disappointed. Honestly, I've probably ALWAYS left with the treasure I had in mind and then some.

I dont know why im the first to write a review about this place. If you're a girl who loves unique…read morejewelry and other accessories, then this place is for you! This is a great place to buy gifts for your girl friends or even lil kiddies. This is one of two stores in Iowa. It's located inside the Old Capital Building, the other (a larger store) is located at Mount Vernon. I loved wasting time at Silver Spider as I wait for my next class. I wasted many hours looking at all the trinkets, bags, jewelry, and much much more! You won't leave the store disappointed and always look forward to your next visit. I heart Silver Spider

I was walking along Linn Street towards RSVP when imagine my surprise, I see this store. Being an…read moreavid cook and kitchen gadget junkie, of course I had to go inside. I wasn't expecting much because most smaller kitchen supply stores don't impress me. I have high standards and prefer well-made high quality products. Well, you can imagine how surprised I was to find this unicorn of a store. I felt like I just walked through a door into wonderland. I thought I owned every kitchen gadget that was worth owning, but I was wrong. I found the cutest baker's dusting wand by OXO and a cool round trivet made of strung-together felted wool balls. They had some of my favorite brands like GIR, Staub, Microplane, Nordic Ware and Opinel. They also had a cool selection of aprons, mugs, spices, oils and vinegars. I was in heaven as I walked through the store. There was so much to look at. They have a well-curated selection of items that I would want to carry if I had my own kitchen supply store. I would much rather support a great locally owned store than a big chain like Williams Sonoma (that doesn't even really carry what I want). Iowa City is so lucky to have a store as wonderful as this. Every time I visit this city I have a few favorite stores that I must visit and I'm so happy to add this one to my list.

A lot of different cooking/ baking items which is why I went to the store. But they also have a…read morevariety of other items.

I'm a sucker for art co-ops and architecture and design stores, of which Akar is one. It's located…read morejust off Downtown Iowa City, and to my surprise, my review is one of the first in at least a couple of years. And after COVID, it's nice to see that Akar is still standing. Akar has strong ceramics selections, some nice pens, and a whole bunch of interesting tchotchkes. The store is well laid out, displayed, and curated. It's one of those place that you need to visit a couple times to appreciate the merchandise layers. That also helped with my tendency to wander and only be struck by 1 or 2 things at a time.

The unique pottery is enough in itself to have me coming back again and again. It is displayed in…read moresuch a way that makes you feel as though you are in an art museum yet able to pick something up and buy it. The rest of the store has fun items, jewelry, seasonal decor, kids items, and more, but the pottery area stands out. Great little gem in Iowa City.

This place is AWESOME!!! The style is a great mix of everything from modern to mid century to farm…read morehouse. The store is easy to shop and beautifully kept. Owned by a local mother/daughter duo this is a MUST SHOP BOUTIQUE!!!!!! Whether you're looking for a unique birthday present, or for something great to add to your own home you must come here.

From the owner: A Few Local Vendors. read more

This antique store is heavy focused on old stereo equipment and music. There is furniture and…read morebooks. Thereare many LP and 45 records. There are even some 78 records. If you are interested in music it is necessary to ask the owner for the organization method in order to find what you are looking for. Do bring cash. Cards are not accepted. Prices are fair. You can get better at a yard sale, but have to spend a long time looking. You are spend much more at a dedicated record store and get better organizing and renewed sleeves. I would got back.

There are a ton of records here. In the front are bagged, cataloged, curated and filed records of…read moregood quality. Then the back is full of mixed stuff that's all $10. I think the front bagged stuff was a good selection but I can't pay those prices when discogs and eBay exist. I have an ultrasonic and returns are guaranteed online. I'll gamble online before paying $30 for a record I've seen elsewhere for $5-10. Plus most good albums have been reissued at about $20. Some people may want an OG copy, I don't get paying more than the reissue price for a used OG record that looks eh.... Now the stuff in back had some good stuff too, but it should have been $5 a record and I'd have bought a bunch, they're just not worth $10 for common stuff. I don't need to fill out my collection that much, and nothing was rare or uncommon really. I managed to find a couple things I was ok with buying, was eventually helped at the counter, and was then told they only take cash. Who carries cash? I'm not 60..... cards are everything these days. So I wasted a half hour to an hour browsing through overpriced records just to be turned away. I could have found an ATM, but I'm out of town. So we tack an ATM fee on to the overpriced records too? Nah, didn't feel like it, so drove back to my hotel in Cedar Rapids... If you need decent copies of mostly basic albums (classics) with the occasional gem or underpriced record, come here with a lot of time, and cash only. Moral of this story? A question - You talked my ear off when I arrived but mentioned nothing of cash only? Waste of both our time.

Stones and jewelry Literature…read more Tarot cards Candles and incense Street parking I did not see a public restroom Staff very courteous and knowledgeable Great gifts Woman owned Hand sanitizer available Wear masks

It was quite awhile ago but the owner refused to let us return a defective handmade purse so no one…read morein our family will ever shop there again. It was the 2nd defective one with almost the same problem as the 1st one. My husband was the one that exchanged it for me & being the clueless man he is didn't notice the defect. I noticed it the second he got it home & we went to return it together same day as purchase. Selling defective merchandise with a refusal to allow it to be returned tells me all I need to know about how you do business so no thanks. I returned home & threw the junk purse that costs us a pretty penny straight into the trash can. OM will never waste my money again. Forever Boycotting!

Since I don't have a hallmark local to me anymore I stopped while I was in town to pick up my…read moreyearly Christmas ornaments. They had every series I needed in stock. The staff was personable and let me know about their current sales. They had plenty to look at as the store was full of merchandise.