Shopping in Waukee

Self-billed as a "funky little boutique for bellies, babies, and kiddos," Urban Belly's 6th Street retail space teems with fashion and gifts ideal for professional carpet crawlers and working mommies-to-be. Urban's staff lines the shelves with baby gifts such as nursing covers, diaper bags, and towel sets. For moms, the staff curates apparel that includes a lower-priced value-line of clothing. They also adorn hangers with an array of designer brands such as Oilian, Lilac Maternity, and Citizens of Humanity—which devotes a portion of its profits to various charities ranging from youth programs to stuffed-animal witness-protection programs.

Two decades ago, Jeff Holmes founded the original CanoeSport Outfitters in a space so tiny he could only display five or six boats. Today, CanoeSport Outfitters’ Indianola location sprawls out across more than 20,000 square feet of retail space dedicated to stocking shimmering hulls and essential accessories.

Five miles south, on the sandy shores of Lake Ahquabi, lies CanoeSport Outfitters' satellite concessions outpost, which rents canoes, kayaks, and standup paddleboards to those who forgot to bring their pet dolphins. The outpost also teaches basic and advanced paddling classes—including water-based yoga—and sends groups on guided tours of the surrounding waters. No matter the task, the team members from CanoeSport Outfitters hold true to their philosophy of supporting sustainable recreation that minimizes environmental impact.

Like the popular kid at school or the kid whose parents have bribe money, Nobbies Party Superstore products are always invited to the party. Whatever the reason for celebration, Nobbies stocks get-togethers with tableware, balloons, and party favors from an inventory of thousands of accessories, decorations, and costumes. Themed party decorations immerse guests in re-creations of circuses, barnyards, and casinos, or help party planners create a crime-scene theme when police won’t let them borrow decorations from the real thing. Collections of Halloween costumes and accessories also enhance the holiday experience for adults and kids with spooky masks, corsets, tutus, and outfits for dogs. Supplies for holiday and religious celebrations are also included, such as custom napkins, banners and centerpieces. Decorations are also available for big life moments as births, weddings, anniversaries, and tax returns.

Ichi Bike’s technicians ensure smooth two-wheeled transport for bicyclists through a complete inventory of custom bicycles and parts, in addition to breathing life into bikes by way of comprehensive tune-ups. The team purveys new bikes as well as parts to keep their current set rolling smoothly, and these wares are available in the shop and Ichi Bike's online store. In the nonvirtual location, framed and unframed artwork hugs vivid, orange walls, and a steer skull imbues the establishment with a whimsical trace of Western décor, making it unnecessary to hang a photo of John Wayne falling off his first unicycle.

Disappointed with the community’s lack of boutique-shopping options, Tia Ricklefs set out to design her own line of trendy apparel for men and women. The resulting brand, Ayden Lee, includes styles that range from summery dresses and jeans to formalwear, all speckled with quirky design elements such as asymmetrical straps, metallic accents, and built-in parachutes. Tia’s menswear line features suits and dress shirts in timeless cuts and bold colors. The red-brick storefront encloses racks of color-coordinated fashions alongside black display tables that flaunt ruched handbags and vintage hair accessories.

City Furniture outfits abodes with furniture, mattresses, and an array of artwork and household accents. Its sizable showroom is stuffed with bonded-leather couches, dressers, button-tufted sofas, and handcrafted hardwood TV centers, all illuminated by an array of lighting fixtures beaming from shelves and tabletops. A variety of twin-, queen-, full-, and king-size mattresses fill the imagination with thoughts of nighttime slumber, also inspiring customers to take quick naps after rigorous afternoon wing-eating competitions.