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After cyclists fight back, city councils rethink biking ordinances

Their city councils are considering new proposals following critiques from the cycling community.

News

Two Des Moines metro cities are revising proposed e-bike ordinances after pushback from local cyclists.Why it matters: Clive and Waukee city leaders say they want to limit the reckless use of high-powered electric devices, but cycling advocates say their proposals would also restrict where regular cyclists could go.

Iowa retailers say D.C. law fuels unfair shakedowns

Small businesses say private enforcement has created a settlement machine that they can't afford to challenge.

Two Des Moines retailers say a D.C. law firm and a nonprofit are using consumer protection laws to squeeze thousands of dollars from businesses over online sale prices.Why it matters: Consumer protection laws are meant to prevent deceptive pricing, but Iowa retailers say private enforcement has created a settlement machine that small businesses can&#x27;t afford to challenge.

Here's how Steelers pick and Iowa Hawkeye Gennings Dunker starts his day

The offensive lineman played for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Gennings Dunker, the Iowa Hawkeye offensive lineman drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is definitely a morning person.<ul><li>&quot;Naturally with football and early workouts you need to start your day early to make the most of it,&quot; he tells Axios.</li></ul>

Polk County Conservation considers new ATV park

PCC's executive director says the new park could help expand outdoor recreation without tapping into taxpayer dollars.

Polk County Conservation (PCC) is considering building a new park for all-terrain and off-road vehicles east of Pleasant Hill.Why it matters: PCC executive director Rich Leopold says the new park could be an opportunity to expand outdoor recreation without tapping into taxpayer dollars, though some board members have questioned the impact on local wildlife.

New Filipino coffee shop opening in Des Moines' East Village

The coffee pop-up has found a brick-and-mortar home.

Seven siblings are opening <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grounded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groundedbythecollective/" data-vars-content-id="b028836d-b25f-4f37-8c96-6de15e654458" data-vars-headline="New Filipino coffee shop opening in Des Moines&#x27; East Village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groundedbythecollective/" target="_blank">Grounded</a>, a new coffee shop in the East Village, featuring Filipino flavors they grew up loving.Why it matters: As brands like Starbucks and Trader Joe&#x27;s flood the market with Filipino <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ube flavors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/03/09/ubes-surging-popularity-challenges-filipino-supply-chain" data-vars-content-id="b028836d-b25f-4f37-8c96-6de15e654458" data-vars-headline="New Filipino coffee shop opening in Des Moines&#x27; East Village" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/03/09/ubes-surging-popularity-challenges-filipino-supply-chain" target="_blank">ube flavors</a>, this immigrant-owned shop wants to share their traditions with other Iowans.

A new Mexican meat market is opening in Des Moines

Cerro Grande Meat Market is opening in July.

Food and Drink

A family meat market with roots stretching back generations in Mexico is opening this summer at 2517 Hubbell Ave. in Des Moines.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cerro Grande Meat Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/CerroGrandeMeatMarket" data-vars-content-id="fb325f0e-78e8-4094-ab42-71c5e334846d" data-vars-headline="A new Mexican meat market is opening in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/CerroGrandeMeatMarket" target="_blank">Cerro Grande Meat Market</a> aims to offer products not found at your typical grocery meat counter. It will sell Latino and Mexican specialty cuts, rotating seasonal sausages and ready-to-cook foods.

We tried West Des Moines' Dave's Hot Chicken

The hot chicken chain opened its second metro location.

Linh here. Dave&#x27;s Hot Chicken, a popular Nashville hot chicken chain, opened its second metro location over in West Des Moines, and I decided to try it to see if it&#x27;s as spicy as its namesake.What I got: A hot chicken sliders meal with fries ($14.50). There&#x27;s a spectrum of heat levels, ranging from zero spice to its Reaper heat, which requires a waiver.

Pie Bird Pies bakery grows bigger

The popular pie bakery is looking into wholesale products.

For years, pie dough and flour took over Kristen Daily and her wife&#x27;s Drake neighborhood home as she worked to keep up with the growing demand for her business, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pie Bird Pies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/03/12/des-moines-pie-bird-pies-creators-business-blew-up-overnight" data-vars-content-id="811d416b-a6d7-44e2-a680-3be1e17d8221" data-vars-headline="Pie Bird Pies bakery grows bigger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/03/12/des-moines-pie-bird-pies-creators-business-blew-up-overnight" target="_self">Pie Bird Pies</a>.Why it matters: After years of searching for a larger commercial kitchen, Daily learned that she doesn&#x27;t &quot;knead&quot; to look any further than her own backyard.

Bonchon opens its first Iowa location near Jordan Creek

The popular Korean fried chicken chain opened outside of Jordan Creek mall.

Things to Do

Linh here. I&#x27;m a huge Korean fried chicken fan. (Every Wednesday, you&#x27;ll find me at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Basic Bird for their $1 wing deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/04/basic-bird-offers-dollar-wing-deal-every-wednesday" data-vars-content-id="b5a48473-aeca-47df-854a-ce67d0f18190" data-vars-headline="Bonchon opens its first Iowa location near Jordan Creek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/04/basic-bird-offers-dollar-wing-deal-every-wednesday" target="_self">Basic Bird for their $1 wing deal</a>.)<ul><li>So when I saw that the popular Bonchon chain was opening just outside Jordan Creek mall, I was hyped to try it.</li></ul>

How The Bake Shoppe's co-owner starts her day

Lisa Kannapel wakes up bright and early to start work in the bakery.

Growing up in the newspaper business, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bake Shoppe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/04/03/the-bake-shoppe-plans-second-location-in-waukee" data-vars-content-id="9dcfbc90-39bb-40b4-8bef-c377ef357f41" data-vars-headline="How The Bake Shoppe&#x27;s co-owner starts her day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/04/03/the-bake-shoppe-plans-second-location-in-waukee" target="_self">The Bake Shoppe</a> co-owner Lisa Kannapel was no stranger to early mornings.<ul><li>Kannapel says she&#x27;s taken on the work ethic of her father, who still owns small-town Iowa papers in places like Armstrong and Ringsted today.</li></ul>And while she still puts many hours into the bakery, a breast cancer diagnosis last year kept her out of the kitchen — a major endeavor as a &quot;workaholic,&quot; she says. <ul><li>Now she tries to take more moments to appreciate other parts of her life.</li><li>&quot;Ever since my cancer diagnosis, we&#x27;ve just kind of decided our personal lives are a little more important than we&#x27;re giving it credit for,&quot; says Kannapel, who runs the bakery with her husband, Chris.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Lisa is in remission, and the Kannapels are opening a second location this spring in Waukee.<ul><li>&quot;You only live once,&quot; she says.</li></ul>Here&#x27;s how Kannapel starts her day:⏰ Wake up: 5:15–5:45am.🍳 Breakfast: Two hard-boiled eggs and coffee. Scrambled on the weekends.📱 What she&#x27;s reading: Work emails. 💡 Her advice for new bakers: Start at farmers markets for experience.

Owner of Hello, Marjorie opening another bar in downtown's Equitable Building

Nothing Major is planned for this summer.

Nick Tillinghast, the owner of cocktail bars like Hello, Marjorie and Secret Admirer, is expanding his footprint at downtown Des Moines&#x27; Equitable Building.Why it matters: Downtown&#x27;s business district has struggled with foot traffic since COVID, but Tillinghast, a decade-long resident of the Equitable Building himself, wants to help spur a neighborhood revival.

The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee

The longtime bakery is opening a second location in the Waukee Triangle.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bake Shoppe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thebakeshoppe.org/" data-vars-content-id="713855c3-32e1-41d9-b828-fdd49538a707" data-vars-headline="The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thebakeshoppe.org/" target="_blank">The Bake Shoppe</a>, home of Barbara&#x27;s iconic Champagne cake recipe, is expanding with a second location at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waukee Triangle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.waukeedowntown.com/" data-vars-content-id="713855c3-32e1-41d9-b828-fdd49538a707" data-vars-headline="The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.waukeedowntown.com/" target="_blank">Waukee Triangle</a>.Why it matters: The dreamy blush-pink cake has been a Des Moines tradition since the 1940s, and demand has grown so much in recent years that co-owner Lisa Kannapel says they need another shop.

Dave's Hot Chicken and Bonchon opening in West Des Moines

Here are the latest restaurants opening and closing in the Des Moines area.

Here are some of the latest restaurants that are opening, closing, or making moves across the metro.

Des Moines' best chicken tenders: Christopher's

Christopher's is the place to stop for some unique tenders.

Listen, I&#x27;m not the type of person to order only chicken tenders when I go to a restaurant (unless it&#x27;s Raising Cane&#x27;s), but the Kim&#x27;s chicken tenders ($14) at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" data-vars-content-id="74d0ad2a-6e0f-4711-8107-b87b89f7b333" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; best chicken tenders: Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" target="_blank">Christopher&#x27;s</a> in Beaverdale have me feeling a certain type of way.What it is: Three chicken strips breaded in cornflakes, almonds, and the secret to what makes it unique — brown sugar.<ul><li>It&#x27;s served with a side of honey mustard sauce (arguably better than ranch.)</li></ul>What I liked: As a sweet and savory lover, the sweeter breading won me over, balancing out the saltiness of the chicken. If you&#x27;re a fan of chicken nuggets and honey, this is the dish for you.<ul><li>Texturally, the cornflakes and almonds gave the strips a nice crisp and crunchy exterior.</li></ul>If you go: 5-10pm Monday-Thursday; 5-11pm Friday-Saturday; 2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines.

Food and Drink 🍽

New Filipino coffee shop opening in Des Moines' East Village

A new Mexican meat market is opening in Des Moines

We tried West Des Moines' Dave's Hot Chicken

Pie Bird Pies bakery grows bigger

Bonchon opens its first Iowa location near Jordan Creek