Updated October 1, 2026. Every shop below was checked on that day against its own website or its listing in the Historic Valley Junction directory. The earlier version of this guide profiled fifteen "makers" we couldn't find any record of; this version lists only real shops at real addresses.
Historic Valley Junction is West Des Moines' old downtown, and most of its independent shops are on 5th Street. For art made in the Midwest, start at Olson-Larsen Galleries and Kavanaugh Art Gallery. For something to make yourself, Candle Bar DSM lets you pour your own candle from more than 100 scents, and The Iowa Quilt Block and Yarn Junction Co sell supplies and run classes. The best night to visit this fall is Gallery Night on Friday, October 9.
Valley Junction shops at a glance
| Shop | Address | What it sells |
|---|---|---|
| Kavanaugh Art Gallery | 228 5th St | Original paintings, sculpture, framing |
| Olson-Larsen Galleries | 542 5th St | Contemporary Midwest artists |
| Kunzler Studios & Gallery | 324 5th St | Local artwork and handmade goods |
| Bozz Prints | 215 5th St | Prints and cards designed in house |
| Candle Bar DSM | 130 5th St, Suite A | Pour-your-own candles |
| The Iowa Quilt Block | 325 5th St | Quilting fabric, machines, classes |
| Yarn Junction Co | 132 5th St | Yarn and knitting classes |
| Morrissey Fine Jewelry | 235 5th St | Jewelry and repairs |
| Happy DSM | 234 5th St | Gifts, candles, books |
| Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe | 315 5th St | Books and coffee |
| Hinge | 317 5th St | Antiques, apparel, salvaged furniture |
| Corazon Coffee Roasters | 516 Elm St | Coffee roasted on site |
All addresses are in West Des Moines.
Galleries and makers
Olson-Larsen Galleries
A contemporary gallery open since 1979 that shows about 60 Midwest artists and does custom framing. Its next show opens on Gallery Night, October 9, 5-8 pm.
- Hours posted: Tuesday-Friday 11 am-5 pm, Saturday 11 am-4 pm
- Site: olsonlarsen.com (opens in a new tab)
Kavanaugh Art Gallery
A family-owned gallery since 1987 with original paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel, plus sculpture, limited-edition prints and archival framing.
- Hours listed: Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Site: kavanaughgallery.com (opens in a new tab)
Kunzler Studios & Gallery
The directory lists Kunzler under makers and artisans: locally made artwork, handcrafted pieces and furniture and home goods.
- Hours listed: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Bozz Prints
Midwest and outdoors-themed art prints, cards, mugs, stickers and apparel, all designed in house in West Des Moines.
- Site: bozzprints.com (opens in a new tab) (its own site and the directory list slightly different hours)
Candle Bar DSM
Pick a vessel, choose from more than 100 scents and pour your own candle. It also sells finished candles.
- Hours posted: Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-7 pm, Sunday 11 am-4 pm
- Site: candlebardsm.com (opens in a new tab)
Supplies and classes
The Iowa Quilt Block
A fabric and quilt shop that's a dealer for BERNINA, Husqvarna Viking and Handi Quilter machines, with classes and longarm rental.
- Hours listed: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
- Site: theiowaquiltblock.com (opens in a new tab)
Yarn Junction Co
A family-owned knitting shop that sells yarn and teaches classes.
Gifts, books and jewelry
Morrissey Fine Jewelry
A family-owned jeweler since 1974, with bridal pieces, colored gemstones and repairs.
- Hours posted: Thursday 10 am-3 pm, Friday 10 am-5:30 pm, Saturday 10 am-3 pm
- Site: morrisseyfinejewelry.com (opens in a new tab)
Happy DSM
A woman-owned gift shop with candles, home decor, books, bath products and cards.
- Hours posted: Tuesday-Friday 10 am-5:30 pm, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-4 pm
- Site: happydsm.com (opens in a new tab)
Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe
An independent bookstore and cafe, Asian- and woman-owned.
- Hours listed: Monday-Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Hinge
Antiques, apparel, home decor, jewelry, hats, scarves and salvaged furniture.
- Hours listed: Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm
Corazon Coffee Roasters
A block off 5th Street, Corazon roasts organic, fair trade coffee. It's the place to stop between shops.
- Hours posted: Tuesday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday 10 am-2 pm
- Site: corazoncoffeeroasters.com (opens in a new tab)
Fall and holiday events
The Valley Junction events page lists these dates. It doesn't print a year, but the weekdays match 2026, and Olson-Larsen's site confirms the October 9 Gallery Night.
- Gallery Night: Friday, October 9
- Sip and Shop: Thursdays, October 15, 22 and 29
- Pumpkin Walk: Sunday, October 25
- Jingle in the Junction: Thursday, November 19, and Thursdays, December 3, 10 and 17
- Small Business Weekend: starts Friday, November 27
The Thursday farmers market ran May through September and is over for 2026. For more around town, see the October 2026 events calendar.
Sources
Checked October 1, 2026:
- Historic Valley Junction (opens in a new tab), its events page (opens in a new tab) and farmers market page (opens in a new tab)
- Valley Junction directory listings for Kunzler Studios (opens in a new tab), Yarn Junction Co (opens in a new tab), Reading in Public (opens in a new tab) and Hinge (opens in a new tab)
- Olson-Larsen Galleries (opens in a new tab)
- Kavanaugh Art Gallery (opens in a new tab)
- Bozz Prints (opens in a new tab)
- Candle Bar DSM (opens in a new tab)
- The Iowa Quilt Block (opens in a new tab)
- Morrissey Fine Jewelry (opens in a new tab)
- Happy DSM (opens in a new tab)
- Corazon Coffee Roasters (opens in a new tab)