So let me tell you right upfront, I’m addicted to Fong’s Pizza and I think you’re going to be too! Just Say’n…

Pizza, according to Donald Trump, is a $32 billion business. Gwen Schlepphorst & her partners are successfully getting their share of that right here in our downtown neighborhood.

Located in the trendy Court Ave. District at 223 4th Street, Fong’s Pizza has taken over the old King Ying Low property (the oldest DSM Chinese restaurant, having served neighbors since the 1940’s.) and put a fabulous contemporary, fun, funky Asian inspiration flare to the historic space keeping much of the “personality” we had all come to know so well over the years.

The décor screams out a mix of Chinese,Oriental, Polynesian & Italian with a 40’s & 50’s feel. Think of a ‘frozen in time’ dive bar with delicious food, great service & tasty tiki drinks that pack a real punch.

Just as people are talking about the delicious food, super service, and easy going environment, they are talking just as much about the great hours which have been needed so badly in the Court District.

• Bar is open 11 -2 seven days a week!
• Kitchen is open 11-2 Sunday through Wednesday
  11-3 Thursday through Saturday
• By The Slice
  They have a rotating pizza schedule! Try their slice, salad, soda lunch special for $5
  11-2 Monday through Friday & 10-close seven days a week.

Once the Downtown Farmers Market begins they will be open with smiles on at 7 a.m. serving you tasty breakfast pizza and breakfast egg rolls. You’re gonna want to make it one of your Saturday. early morning regular stops, guaranteed! Gwen also notes that she looks forward to utilizing fresh ingredients from our local farmers market throughout the summer and of course they always use our local Graziano sausage.

Let’s not forget about those of you who love your happy hour!

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Business: AllPlay (formerly InPlay)
Phone: 515.333.5050
Website: www.allplaydm.com

Hours of Operation:
Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm
Friday-Saturday 11am-2am
(First Floor Kids Game Area and Rock Wall Closes at 12am)

AllPlay Entertainment complex offers 100 virtual reality, arcade and classic games, along with a three-story rock-climbing wall. Full sports bar called the Stadium Grill and Bar, and conference facility. There modern entertainment and gaming center includes over 100 of the most popular virtual reality, interactive, sports, action and classic games all spread across two floors. As well as the tallest Rock Climbing Wall in Des Moines!

Every Tuesday and Wednesday guests can enjoy half price games all day long and can check out games such as: Mad Wave Motion Theatres, Big Buck Hunter, Time Crisis 4, Highway 66 Mini Bowling, Nothin’ But Net Basketball, Quarterback Challenge as well as timeless classics like billiards, air hockey, skeeball and pinball. There’s even exciting prize redemption games for kids.

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In 2008 we saw a lot of change downtown. Despite the rough economic times, we saw 22 businesses either open or move into downtown. At the same time we saw 19 businesses either close their doors or re-locate outside of downtown.

Here is an alphabetical listing of businesses that opened or moved downtown in 2008:

AJ’s
AK O’Conners 
Alba
At Ease Salon & Day Spa
Brilliant Sky Toys
Burgers, Subs and More
Capitol City Music
Django
Dornink
Full Spectrum Productions
Komodo Klub
Lasting Impressions Tattoo & Piercing Studio
Lee Ann Conlan Gallery
Mustard’s
Pelican Bar & Nightclub
Proof Restaurant
Sbrocco
Schaffer’s opened & closed in East Village in 2008
Skosh Gallery
Smokey D’s BBQ
The Underground
Two Percent to Glory

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A long time restaurant on the skywalk, Something Italian, is now offering pizza-by-the-slice on Friday nights, from 5pm to 9pm.

Something Italian is located on the skywalk level inside the Kirkwood Hotel Commons Lobby. If you’ve never eaten there, and I can’t imagine you haven’t, it always smells so good walking by there, is open Monday through Friday from 11am to 2pm and the new Friday evening hours. They serve pizza, pasta, sandwichs and salads.

In addition to pizza-by-the-slice, you can order a whole pie by calling ahead at 515-243-2928 or by just stopping in. They offer both eat-in service or take it to go. Check out their most popular, the Papa Luigi, a supreme pizza with pepperoni, sausage and vegetables.

In case you haven’t heard of co-working before, coworking is a global movement of localized mobile / remote worker communities coming together to share their otherwise independent work experiences and spaces. Co-workers tend to be remote workers, telecommuters, independents and freelancers, who for either economic or social reasons want to co-work together. It is an emerging trend for a new pattern for working.

Typically these work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, and people who travel frequently end up working in relative isolation and as a result become lonely. For most people working from home seems great, but for a lot of peole, it simply isn’t sustainable based on their personality types or professions. For example, if you are the creative type you simply cannot be as effective in your solitude as you could be surrounded by other people being creative.

Coworking is about the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share basic values and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space. Coworking is all about the community.

The first downtown co-working community opened up just a couple of months ago and it’s called, Impromptu Studio. According to the group’s web site, Impromptu Studio aims to foster connections between local business owners and entrepreneurs. Their members will have a diverse pool of resources to draw from in the communtiy since every coworker with have a different specialty and level of experience. This dual pronged approach of community integration allows members to become acquainted at multiple levels with individuals and businesses that can help them succeed for the years that follow.

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Brilliant Sky Toys and Books   Kaleidoscope at the Hub; 699 Walnut Street Suite 233 Phone: 515-288-4689 Website: www.brilliantskytoys.com Current Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 2pm Sunday Closed

Brilliant Sky Toys and Books just opened a couple of weeks ago on the skywalk level of the Kaleidscope Mall. The East Lansing, Michigan based company is all about values, focusing on providing the finest toys, games and books to enrich, enlighten, and entertain the families of our community. The store specializes in gifts for the 12 and under age and is affiliated with TreeHouse Toys & Books. The Des Moines franchised is owned by Hubbell Realty Company.

When I was there last Friday after the Obama Rally, the store seemed very busy with customers. I think this will be a great place for the downtown worker to grab a nice gift for son or daughter or niece or nephew without having to go a large shopping mall. Check them out on the skywalk during your next lunch break.

Gym F/X 418 6th Avenue – Suite 110, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Phone: 515-288-1111 Website: www.gymfxandtannging.com  Current Gym Hours: Monday – Friday 5am – 9pm Saturday 8am – 5pm Sunday 9am – 1pm Current Tanning Hours: Monday – Thursday 10am – 7pm Saturday – Sunday Closed

Gym F/X Fitness and Tanning is located in the historic Liberty Building on the corner of 6th and Grand in downtown Des Moines. The gym is located on the 1st floor, tanning salon and juice bar is located on the 2nd floor or skywalk level.

Gym Equipment:

40 Pieces Cardio Equipment Cardio Theatre w/Flat Screen Monitors Selectorized Circuit Training (FAST and effective) Strength Equipment – Complete line of Precor strength equipment, 35,000 lbs Olympic Free Weights

Tanning Salon:
6 Bed Tanning Salon Including 3 Stand- Up Units High Pressure Facial Tanning All GYM F/X Members save 15% on tanning session packages. 5 Levels of Tanning Available

Juice Bar/Nutrition Center:
GymF/X offers food to go at there Juice Bar which features APEX meal Replacement Products along with an exclusive line of nutritional APEX supplements that are recommended with your goals and lifestyle in mind.

This gym is perfect for both those that work downtown or live downtown. The gym has a full staff of professional trainers, full-size locker rooms and showers. For more information on the gym contact Doug Van Wyk at 515-288-1111.

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