First Pita Pit opens in Clive

West Des Moines residents Lexi and Bobby King opened Clive’s first Pita Pit restaurant at 15700 Hickman Road on March 26. Offering a healthier alternative to traditional fast food, Pita Pit is best known for its made-to-order pita sandwiches featuring a variety of lean grilled meats, fresh vegetables, cheeses and sauces. The restaurant also offers a wide salad selection. The couple hopes to eventually open a second location in Ames. Call 515-987-6578 or visit www.pitapit.com.

West Des Moines breakfast spot closes

My Favorite Muffin & Bagel Café closed on Feb. 19 after 14 years in business at 4949 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The Illinois-based franchise said the location is for sale, and it is listed with the Henderson Business Group for $50,000. My Favorite Muffin was known for its muffins, bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches. It was owned by franchisee Mike Bailey.

Panda Express opens in West Des Moines

A fifth Panda Express location has opened in the metro at 1580 Valley West Drive in a new building near the Goodwill store. The fast-casual restaurant also operates a store in Valley West Mall across the street, along with locations in Merle Hay Mall, Altoona and one on Mills Civic Parkway. The California-based chain has 1,742 locations around the world. The Valley West Drive Panda Express is open 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The drive-through is upon until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 515-221-9689, visit www.pandaexpress.com or find it on Facebook.

Royal Flooring opens second metro location

A second location for Royal Flooring has opened at 9850 Douglas Ave. in Urbandale, offering flooring, cabinets, countertops and more. The showroom has seven complete kitchen models for viewing. Owners Nick Fiala, Bill Ludwig, Scott Sullivan and Johnnie Kennell launched Royal Flooring in Altoona in 2005. The new showroom was the former lumber warehouse, and it now employs about 15 people. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday; and by appointment. Call 515-957-9738, visit www.shoproyalflooring.com or find it on Facebook.

New City Market to close in April

New City Market, a natural food store that has operated at 4721 University Ave. in Des Moines for 27 years, will close at the end of April. Owners Jim and Cindy Raife have decided to retire. A closing sale began on March 27, with most items being marked down 20 percent. New City Market was founded in 1973 as a natural deli near Drake University called Prana. The Raifes bought it in 1988 and renamed it to New City Market. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Call 515-255-7380, visit newcitymarket.com or find it on Facebook.

Raygun opens in new location

A new two-story commercial building welcomed one of its first tenants with the opening of Raygun on March 27. The T-shirt shop moved its store to 505 E. Grand Ave., which will also host Thelma’s Treats, Mars Café and soon Domestica will open in the second floor. The new store will give Raygun more space than its former location, and it will now offer a larger inventory of the same products it is known for, including men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and other items. It is adjacent to the storefront that will be shared by Mars Café, open 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Thelma’s Treats, which will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Raygun’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Domestica will move into the 1,400-square-foot second floor in May, and Fredrikson & Byron law offices are expected to move into the second floor of the new building in the middle of June. Another space, which is about 1,500 square feet on the building’s east side, is still waiting to be leased.

Brothers take over ownership of Iowa Beef Steakhouse

Will and Joe Kellogg recently bought Iowa Beef Steakhouse at 1201 E. Euclid Ave. in Des Moines. The previous owner, Henry Schneider, opened the restaurant 32 years ago. The brothers have previously worked as a cook and bartender at the restaurant. The menu will remain the same with a few additions such as barbecue ribs and hamburgers. Will Kellogg said he plans to open the steakhouse for lunch within the next few months. Hours are 5-9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Call 515-262-1138 or find it on Facebook. CV