Great selection of clothes and gift items, fun events throughout the year too! I love that they are…read morealways coming out with new merch!

The ISU Bookstore remains on my "must stop by" list whenever I'm in Ames. Over the years,…read more"bookstore" has lost some of its meaning as ISU-branded merchandise sales and gradually taken over more and more floor space. However, there's still a modest stationary/art supplies section, an area for textbooks (strange to say that in a digital world), and a nice computer area in the back (and close to the stairway to or from the parking garage). As an Iowa Hawkeye grad, I have little interest in the ISU branded stuff, unless it involves a gift to my less enlightened Cyclone family members or friends. But the selection is impressive and the rivalry is light and friendly. And they'll validate your parking with a smile.

I had The Frame Shop frame a sketch my father had done on vellum (very thin paper) and they did…read morean absolutely fantastic job with it!!! It was a complex framing with sketch on a white backing and glass raised above the sketch so it didn't touch the sketch. I am very impressed with their work!!!

I have used the Frame shop for over 40 pieces -- and every one enhances the art work. They are…read morefabulous to work with. They have impeccable taste.

Nook & Nest is a cute little gift store on Main Street in Ames. Compared to other downtowns in…read moreIowa, Ames is in pretty good shape with this store, Dog Eared Books, Cafe Diem (coffee), Oak Lane Candle, a couple decent restaurants and bars, and other businesses lining the boulevard. There's free parking in the lot next to the railroad tracks, so wandering around is a pretty easy and pleasant proposition. Although Nook & Nest features an interesting selection of home goods, I was drawn to the paper, including notebooks and cards from Moglea of Des Moines, and various other brands that would fill anyone's greeting card, writing, listing, habit tracking, and/or planning needs. I'm now stocked up for awhile (and with more than I really need), but when I return to Ames in a few months, who knows?

Located in downtown Ames, this place is a really good place to visit if you are looking for a gift,…read moregreeting cards, home furniture, or a unique item. I have visited twice, and found fun stuff both times, including some great cards that I have not seen elsewhere. The customer service is kind and never pushy, and their buyer has impeccable taste. I do like the layout of the store, as you're not cramped at all, a store that has plenty of space if you're browsing and not quite sure what direction that you're headed. I am grateful for Jamie Nessa's guidance on my last visit.

5/5 experience. I attended a 4 course (5 if you include the wedge salad) Italian style menu/demo…read more This reminded me of a supper club I attended years ago in south Florida. This concept was slightly different as the pasta portion was hands on. I really enjoyed that because I learned a good bit about pasta & Ive made it in the past but it was so dense. Food was delicious throughout. They also have a bar & have some seasonable cocktails so that was a nice touch. I enjoyed that it was interactive & open. The space itself is designed well & the kitchen is what I dream of having in my own home one day! Haha. They offer so many different events all with different price points.

Beautiful venue. The staff are super friendly. Greeted the minute we entered the door. We…read moreattended a cooking demo and the place is set up perfectly for this. My only disappointment was I didn't read the offering properly and when I got there I was disappointed to find it was a demo not hands on. I really wanted to see if I could make them. French Macarons really intimidate me. So I thought there might have been a disconnect with the price and it not being hands on and only receiving 2 macarons. I know they are refining the experience so please give them a try. They offer many kinds of classes from savory to sweet! Give this super cool and hip joint a try!

Quakerdale Farms has rented items from Celebrations several times. Our experience has always been…read morepositive. We will rent from them again and again for our weddings, proms, corporate events, etc. Flawless communications and no surprises. Much less expensive than buying the items that we use for these events.

Got an email quote for chair rental for a Saturday, which included drop off and pick up by the…read morecompany, and it was reasonable so I called and rented the chairs. At this time, the lady who answered the phone told me we would have to pick up because they did not have any available time to drop off on the Friday before the event, but that they would pick up on Monday. I agreed and paid. The chairs were white, dingy and dirty, but at this time I was in a pinch and we took them despite the filth. Fast forward to Monday, no one showed up to pick up the chairs. I called Tuesday to ask about it, and I was told at this time I would have to pay more if I wanted to have the chairs picked up or I could bring them in. On Monday I could have done this because I had access to a truck to haul them, but by Tuesday I was without options. The woman I spoke to this time said a new hire had misinformed me about the costs, and I guess the new woman was the one sending email quotes too because I was told the wrong price twice and misled about company policy. I agreed to pay for pickup after I conveyed my disappointment. This review is to let you know about my experience with this company, which I will not do business with again, due to hidden charges, miscommunication, failure to stand by agreed upon prices and finally the condition of the product.

The Knittery Nook has been with me through thick and thin. Thank you for enabling my yarn habits…read moreand thank you for your quality service and exciting selection. I have highly enjoyed getting to know all of the attendants through the years I've lived here. I wish i could stay in Ames longer and spend more time here. This is probably my favorite place in the city. I have also spent over 1k here in total over two years because i chew through yarn like it's a full time job. Will definitely be ordering online next time i need 999,999 skeins of alpaca. Love you all very much, and i am so sad to leave. I'll have to visit sometime.

I love this yarn store! It has a fun, modern vibe and didn't feel stuffy or old lady-ish at all. I…read morewas really surprised to find a really good selection of cotton yarns there. Most yarn stores I go to don't have cotton yarns which are great for Amigurumi (something I'm really into right now). They even had a cool Amigurumi book that I've had my eye on for a while. They also had some Amigurumi animals that they had made up using the cotton yarns, which is really a smart idea because they showed off the yarns really well. I chatted with a person who I think was the owner and she was really friendly and helpful. We talked about Amigurumi and crocheting, which I found very refreshing because most of the yarn stores I've been to cater mostly to knitters. I really like that they had books and tools for knitters and crocheters. I do both but I'm more comfortable with crocheting. I bought a hank of cotton yarn and the woman I was chatting with wound it into a ball for me. I really love that! They also teach knitting and crocheting classes. I can't wait to take one of their classes. I just can't say enough good things about this place. It feels like a relaxed and fun environment. I wish there was a store like this in Des Moines.

I had such a fun shopping experience at Quilting Connection this afternoon. So many bolts of fabric…read moreand friendly staff. I felt welcomed. The next time we take a road trip in this direction, I'll make a point of visiting again.

I know they will always have what I need. Kelly, the owner is so good and all the ladies that work…read morethere are so helpful. It's the best material store in our area.