Uber now serving Des Moines

Uber, the ride-sharing service operating in more than 200 cities worldwide and based in San Francisco, began serving the Des Moines area on Sept. 12. As an alternative to taxis, Uber customers can use a smartphone app to locate nearby vehicles and request a ride. Users need an account to request rides and provide payment information, which is all done through the app. Find more information at www.uber.com/cities/des-moines.

Madhouse Brewing expands hours

Located at 501 Scott Avenue, Madhouse Brewing Company hosted a grand opening and beer release party on Sept. 18 to celebrate its new hours and the release of its Belgian Golden Ale. Madhouse is now open 4-10 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, as well as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday.

The Melting Pot looking to expand into Iowa

The fondue chain restaurant is looking for a franchisee in the Des Moines area to become its first Iowa location. The Melting Pot is based in Florida and offers cheese fondue, salads, entrees, wine and dessert fondues. It has 135 restaurants in North America. Depending on location, franchisees can expect the total investment of developing a store to be about $977,000 to $1.4 million. Visit www.meltingpot.com for more information.

Vatterott College adds new powersports program

Vatterott College, located at 7000 Fleur Drive in Des Moines, has added a Powersports Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic diploma program. It is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to service, troubleshoot and repair small engine-powered equipment. Students receive instruction from industry-experience professionals and hands-on training. Vatterott College offers both day and evening classes, as well as career assistance. Visit www.vatterott.edu for more information.

1908 Draught House to open in Waukee

The second location for Collin Caffrey’s and Tom Baldwin’s 1908 Draught House is expected to open in Waukee by Oct. 1. The bar and restaurant will be located in the new retail center at 1300 E. Hickman Road. The first location, in Johnston, opened last November at 8789 Northpark Drive. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday. Visit the 1908 Draught House on Facebook for more information.

Kmart to close Clive location

The department store located at 10331 University Ave. in Clive will close early in December, as Kmart takes action to reduce on-going expenses. A liquidation sale will start Sept. 21 at the Clive store, which employs 49 mostly part-time workers. Other metro Kmart locations include 2535 Hubbell Ave. and 7501 Hickman Road. Sears Holdings Corp., the parent company of Kmart, has not announced any other closures for Iowa.

Hilltop Tire Service takes over Simon Tire location

The owners of the tire service business located in Des Moines and Johnston have taken over the East Village location where Simon Tire used to be at 201 E. Walnut St. Simon Tire closed abruptly last year ago after almost a century in business. Loren Holt opened the new Hilltop Tire location a few weeks ago. Hilltop offers various services including tire replacement, repairs and other general auto maintenance. The East Village offers free pick-up and delivery in the East Village and downtown. All locations are open 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call the new location at 515-282-0205 or visit www.hilltoptireservice.com.

Retail space sells out in East Village development

A new development project at 350 E. Locust St. comes with such high demand, developer Tim Rypma said he could have filled the space twice. The project includes 6,500 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, with 20 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments on the upper three floors, which will be ready for occupancy on Oct. 1. The four businesses filling the first-floor retail space include Scenic Route Bakery, which will serve as a lunch spot and quiet evening location; Matilda Muse, a women’s clothing boutique and sister company to the East Village shop Aimee; Pink Fine Stationary, a stationary and graphic design shop; and Locally Grown Clothing, an apparel shop with mostly U.S.-made items. CV

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