Shopping in West Des Moines

The staffers at Play it Again Sports help customers stay game-ready with shiny new sports and fitness gear, as well as quality items with a history of gentle use. They rescue secondhand gear from lives in garage boxes or attic cryogenics chambers by accepting trade-ins of everything from treadmills to footballs to practice jerseys. After a staff member assesses the loot's value based on condition, brand name, and the store's current demand, they pay patrons the balance by cash or check or allow them to put it toward purchases. Employees keep an eye out for quality gear, populating their inventory with equipment from brands such as Nike, Adidas, and TaylorMade. Brand-new sports gear and apparel hail from the same manufacturers, including Schwinn, Franklin, and Bauer.

Me ‘n Mommy To Be owner Nettie Byerly understands little ones sprout in what seems like no time at all, so she eases the swift passage of time and inevitable outgrowing of clothes and toys with a stock of new and gently used items. Maternity wear outfits quickly growing bellies, and a vast selection of kids’ clothing for infants to teens—including designer brands such as Gap Kids, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Hollister Co.—covers fast-growing limbs. A rotating variety of toys are on hand to entertain youngsters as they move from a fascination with dinosaurs to an interest in tracking the fruit-snack futures market. In addition to toys for purchase, an in-store playroom packed with whimsical diversions occupies little ones as parents shop. Me ‘n Mommy To Be also rents strollers, cribs, car seats, and other child-friendly contraptions, letting parents test-drive different brands before making a purchase and helping grandparents prepare for energy-filled visits.

In 1966, Jack Miller founded a nursery. Originally, it was dedicated to landscaping work, but it slowly evolved beyond stocking a few shrubs in tin cans. Now, several shade houses occupy the land, and a bustling collection of northern-grown trees, shrubs, and perennials sprawls over 8 acres in the nursery. The landscaping services, which range from building garden walls and patios to arranging plants and outfitting geraniums with party hats for special occasions, include installation by specialists and instructions on self-installation.