Merle Norman Cosmetics opens in West Des Moines

Merle Norman opened Sept. 2 at 6305 Mills Civic Parkway, Suite 3107, in the same strip mall where Starbucks is located. The cosmetics store has two other locations, in Des Moines and Ankeny, and all three are owned by Wendy Miranda. Merle Norman is based in Los Angeles and offers skin care products and makeup. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday; and closed on Sunday. Call 515-224-5853, find it on Facebook or visit www.merlenorman.com.

Lawn care business moves to Des Moines

A+ Lawn & Landscape moved its offices from 6690 N.E. 14th St. in Ankeny to a new location at 6084 N.E. 22nd St. in Des Moines. Shawn Edwards, owner of A+ Lawn, constructed the 16,000-square-foot office and warehouse on six acres, offering an expanded garden center with fire pits, water features, lighting and walls on display. In addition to selling products, the company offers lawn mowing, irrigation, landscaping and management. It also does snow removal and holiday light installation. Call 515-289-2020, visit apluslawn.com or find it on Facebook.

Nail salon opens in Waukee retail center

Polished Nails Salon opened recently in a Waukee retail center located at 1330 E. Hickman Road, between Stivers Ford and the Coca-Cola Atlantic Bottling Co. The salon has eight manicure stations and 10 for pedicures, and it also offers waxing. Appointments and walk-ins are both accepted. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Call 515-987-3379 or find it on Facebook.

Breezy Palms Massage opens in Ankeny

Laurie Lemke is now offering Swedish, deep tissue and pre-natal massages, aromatherapy, hot stone therapy and sugar foot scrubs at Breezy Palms Massage, which opened inside Styles109 Salon in Ankeny. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. The salon is located at 109 N.W. Ninth St., and services are by appointment only. Call 515-202-0766, visit www.breezypalmsmassage.com or find it on Facebook.

Knitting Next Door gets a new owner

Polly Rodberg, a fashion merchandising and apparel production management alum from Iowa State University, is the new owner of the Ankeny yarn store, located at 704 S.W. Third St. Knitting Next Door was previously owned by Cindy Peters, who also operates Quilter’s Cupboard next door. Rodberg will add new products to the store’s offerings, including needle felting supplies. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday; and noon to 4 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. Call 515-963-0396 or look it up on Facebook.

Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse earns national recognition

Johnny’s was recognized in the September issue of Full Service Restaurant Magazine, receiving an honorable mention for its beverage program. The beverage program at Johnny’s looks for bartenders who show they have what it takes to be at ease with guests and mix up a mean cocktail. Bartenders are encouraged to develop new drinks for their locations and participate in outside events, including the Iowa Mixology Competition, for which Johnny’s has earned several awards. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse has three locations in the metro, in West Des Moines, Des Moines and Altoona. Visit johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com.

Mini doughnut stand to open in Jordan Creek mall

Mahalo’s Mini Donuts is expected to open at the end of October in the upper level of Jordan Creek Town Center, between the food court and the movie theater. The kiosk will be owned by Julie Nitchie and Troy Schall, and it will sell fried mini doughnuts with a variety of specialty toppings and glazes. Prices range from $3.59 to $9.49 for half a dozen to two dozen of the classics and $4.49 to $13.49 for the same amount of glazed and topped doughnuts. Visit www.mahalosminidonuts.com or find it on Facebook. CV

Submit your information on business openings, closings, expansions or people in the news to Eleni Upah at eleni@dmcityview.com.