Johnston retail development fills last spaces

A new retail development anchored by Gusto Pizza Co. in Johnston will soon house Cupcake Addict and Noodle Zoo. Cupcake Addict is a home-based business started by Janet Hoch, a former insurance agent. Hoch offers 80 cupcake flavors, 30 cake ball flavors, decorated layer cakes and other items. Her shop will have an 800-square-foot party room available for events, and she plans to rotate flavored cookies and brownies monthly.

Noodle Zoo, which also has locations in the East Village and Ankeny, will have the same menu and a similar look to its East Village restaurant. The menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches and noodle bowls, and the Johnston location will offer lunch, dinner and a full bar. Both Noodle Zoo and Cupcake Addict are slated to open at 8705 Chambery Blvd. in January 2016.

Insurance company moves to new location
Acumen, a group health insurance company headquartered in Cedar Rapids, moved from its previous location at 10546 Justin Drive in Urbandale to its new home at 6150 Village View Drive, Suite 114, in West Des Moines. The office employs seven people. Call 855-731-0277 or visit www.acumenadv.com.

New apartments approved for East Village
The Urban Design Review Board approved a $27 million apartment complex project that will bring 98 apartments and about 17,000 square feet of retail space to the Des Moines’ East Village. The six-story complex will sit at 219 E. Grand Ave. and feature an urban industrial look, complete with a brick façade and weathered steel panels. Tim Rypma, a developer on the project, says the rusted steel is a quality product that lasts a long time and fits in with the aesthetic of the East Village. The complex is part of a larger development that includes a parking ramp and commercial space in an adjacent block east of Des Moines City Hall. It will have street-level retail space and a pocket park.

Sports bar opens in Urbandale
Drink Up Sports Bar and Grill has opened at 7625 Hickman Road in Urbandale. Melissa Murphy and William Wynkoop opened the bar, which serves craft and domestic beer, pizza, sandwiches and other beverages and food items. The space is set up for sports fans, with six TVs and a projector TV to show big games. Drink Up also has three pool tables, karaoke and DJ trivia during the week. The bar fills the space formerly used by Euro Bar, where three people were injured by gunshots in August. Murphy said she and her partner are trying to give the bar a new image. Drink Up is open 3 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday; and 10 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday. Call 957-4045, visit www.drinkupsportsbar.com or find it on Facebook.

Baqara event venue opens in Runnells
Yvette and Clinton Webster have opened an event center called Baqara at 11680 S.E. 64th Ave. in Runnells. The two purchased the vacant building and renovated it into an event space with a capacity of up to 300 people. the space has a full-service bar, warming kitchen for caterers, an outdoor patio and separate bridal and groom suites that could be used for small parties or corporate events and receptions. Yvette Webster also runs Baqara Floral and Décor out of the same building. Call 689-6056, visit www.experiencebaqara.com or find it on Facebook.

Local artists open gallery in Valley Junction
Four local artists have opened a new art gallery at 218 Fifth St. in West Des Moines’ Valley Junction. Artisan Gallery 218 — owned by Victoria Herring (photography), Mary Kline-Misol (painting), Louise Mcilhon (jewelry) and Anne Temple (vintage furniture) — offers a variety of artwork from its owners and other local artists. Artisan Gallery 218 is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 am. To 5 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m., Sunday. Call 255-0218, visit www.artisangallery218.com or find it on Facebook. CV