Hy-Vee clothing stores to open

Hy-Vee is opening a clothing shop in its new Twin Cities-area store. The plan is for similar clothing boutiques to also open in two Des Moines-area stores later this year — one at 4605 Fleur Drive in Des Moines, and the other at 410 N. Ankeny Blvd. in Ankeny. Clothing boutiques will be added at other locations in the upcoming years. Hy-Vee initially started exploring this idea a year ago and looked into a variety of clothing brands. Ultimately, the grocery chain agreed to terms with F&F, a top fashion producer in Europe. The new product line will consist of moderately-priced items that are geared for millennials who have kids, but will also appeal to all ages. Customers will be able to pay for their clothing items at the same register checkout points as they do for groceries.

Pharmacy sold

One of Iowa’s oldest drug stores, Hammer Pharmacy, was recently sold to GRX Holdings, a West Des Moines group consisting of 17 independent pharmacies. The drug store, located at 600 E. Grand Ave., was family-owned since 1942. Hammer will continue offering free delivery, immunizations and medical packaging under its new ownership. A difficult economic climate for singly-owned pharmacies prompted the sale. Hammer Medical Supply, which is a sister company of the drug store, was not a part of the sale, and the medical supply shop will continue its independent operations. The pharmacy’s hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The pharmacy can be reached at 515-243-4177.

Olson-Larsen Galleries wins $8,000

Olson-Larsen Galleries, an art gallery in West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction, has been named as a regional contest winner of Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business competition. The gallery’s business expansion plan has now earned the company $2,000 at the local competition and an additional $8,000 from the regional contest. The Open 4 Business program consists of local, regional and state competitions that offer businesses located in Main Street Iowa districts the opportunity to expand. Olson-Larsen Galleries is now eligible to enter the statewide contest that will be held in Mason City on Aug. 2. Five businesses will compete at the state level, and the winner will pocket an additional $20,000.Olson-Larsen Galleries is located at 203 Fifth St. in West Des Moines. Call 515- 277-6734 or find them at www.olsonlarsen.com.

Warhammer

Merle Hay Mall has a new hobby store, and it’s the first of its kind in the state. Warhammer sells fantasy and collectible miniatures along with paints and tools that customers can customize to play science fiction-style games with. Warhammer is located in Merle Hay Mall next to iWireless in the new south Flix entrance at 3800 Merle Hay Road. The new store is open from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Call 1-800-394-4263.

Style-lab

A new Des Moines-based online shop will soon occupy the East Village. Men’s Style Lab, which currently sells clothing online as a personal styling concierge for men, will soon be opening the doors to a retail shop at the 500 block of East Locust Street. Customers can meet with an individual fashion consultant by appointment only to work together to find apparel to wear. The new location gives Men’s Style Lab more space to fulfill orders, store inventory, help stylists see how clothes fit on various body types and give the brand more exposure in the Des Moines area.

New $20 million project for WDM

West Des Moines is set to spend up to $20 million on construction of a new facility to house its Public Works Department, as well as the Parks and Recreation maintenance division. The new government facility will sit on 63 acres near the intersection of South 88th Street and Grand Avenue. Officials said the suburb needs the upgrade in order to meet the growing infrastructure needs and to better serve the city’s westernmost neighborhoods. CV