West Des Moines swim school now open

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools opened Nov. 3 near Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. Equipped with a 46-foot by 24-foot heated indoor pool, the school is open year-round. It also has a viewing area with free Wi-Fi for parents, a play area, changing rooms, a snack bar and a retail area. Aqua-Tots provides swim instruction for children six months and older, but it also offers some adult classes. Regular lessons are limited to four students or fewer, and prices start at $79 for one group lesson a week to $205 for three. Private and semi-private lessons are also offered. Registration fees of $20 per student or $30 per family are additional. There are eight levels of classes with no start or end dates, so students can join at any time. Half-hour sessions are held Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30-7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 515-612-9400, visit www.aquatots-desmoines.com or find it on Facebook.

‘Best Breakfast in America’ temporarily on hold


The Machine Shed restaurant location at 11151 Hickman Road in Urbandale will be closed starting Oct. 27 through early November for remodeling. The restaurant revamp will take about 10 to 12 days. The Machine Shed has been an award-winning restaurant since 1981, with the most popular awards going to their pork. The first restaurant opened in 1978, and this is the company’s biggest location out of six restaurants throughout four states. Updates on the renovations will be posted on their website.

29-year-old Chinese restaurant relocating 


Jade Garden will be moving from 711 S. Ankeny Blvd. to 602 N. Ankeny Blvd. The relocation started Oct. 26, and owners plan to reopen in mid-November. Although the new space is smaller, the parking is more convenient for guests. The restaurant boasts a full bar and a combination of Hunan, Mandarin and Sichuan foods. Call 515-964-2422 or visit www.jadegardenankeny.dineblast.com.

Second-generation business owners sell to two long-time employees


Owners of Schaal Heating and Cooling have sold their business to two of their employees. Dennis Lane and Randy Keys bought the business from long-time owner Roger Fouche. The company recently remodeled its heating and cooling vans. Schaal is located at 2701 Sixth Ave., and customers are still encouraged to “Call Schaal Ya’all” at 515-288-3631, visit www.callschaalyaall.com or find it on Facebook.

More apartments coming to Grimes

The Meadowlark Place development in Grimes, owned by Hubbell Realty Co., will gain 90 more apartments in its third phase. Located at 1100 S.E. 11th St., the $9.3 million addition will include 58 garages, a new clubhouse, a pool and a splash pad. Construction has already begun and is expected to finish in the spring of 2015. Meadowlark Place offers market-rate and income restricted apartments. The development has been nearly 100 percent occupied since it opened in 2012, and this newest addition is a response to the demand for newer apartments with more amenities, according to Krista Capp, the senior vice president of Hubbell Property Management.

Thelma’s Treats moves to East Village

Thelma’s Treats is bringing gourmet cookies and ice cream sandwiches to the future space in the building going up at 505 E. Fifth St., which will also host the new Raygun. Thelma’s will offer goodies in store and for delivery by the dozen to the metro. Its current location in the Shops at Roosevelt at 855 L 42nd St. will be used as a production kitchen. The new space will have an open in-store entrance, allowing for traffic between Thelma’s and Raygun.

West Des Moines building sold for $7 million

One of West Des Moines’ tallest office buildings was purchased by Valley Office Park LLC, an investment group including Tom Knapp, Kurt Mumm and Bill Wright, all commercial real estate brokers. West Tower has been at 1200 Valley West Drive for 41 years and was previously owned by Santa Fe, New Mexico, investment group BGK Properties Inc. Minor mechanical improvements are planned for the site, in addition to finding new tenants for the currently 25 percent vacant spaces. CV

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