Today I was lucky enough to visit this adorable shop and I will be back again. I will also…read moreencourage my other quilting friends to visit. While the shop is small, it is worth the drive. There is a lovely assortment of high quality cottons in many colors and themes. What I especially love is that sometime quilt shops stick with very traditional fabrics. The Red Hen has a terrific assortment of traditional, modern, patriotic, etc. I fell in love with some bold, vibrant paisley fabric and already have plans for it. The prices are exceptional. There is nothing priced over $10.00 per yard.

Great selection & very knowledgeable staff! I have taken many projects in where I did not…read moreunderstand the pattern & they have always gotten me through it!

I've driven by here and never stopped because frankly from the street the place looks abandoned…read more And then Crazy Girl Yarn Shop closed, so I asked around and everyone said "try Knitting Shoppe." They do have a great selection of natural fiber yarns, leaning heavily toward traditional wools. Thankfully, I can navigate yarn stores without too many questions because the single person behind the register was busy chatting with a regular like it was Knitting Group night. If you're a new knitter or need lots of guidance, be patient.

This store started like thirty years ago, trying to bring mountain culture to Iowa. I'd say…read morethey've succeeded and are definitely the go-to for any outdoor retail needs in the area. They've got the big brands like: Patagonia, Marmot, North Face, Columbia, etc. When it comes to apparel that will withstand a trip to the Alps (or who are we kidding, a January in Iowa City :D) they've got you covered! Five floors of retail ranging from -- apparel, footwear and equipment. Items for boating, fishing, cycling, skiing, running, golfing, hunting, climbing-- almost anything you could do outdoors, they have something for. For as much as they have in the store, you'd expect it to the be cluttered. But it is very easy to get around and find what you're looking for. They did a great job organizing items and utilizing each floor of space. (*There are a lot of stairs! You've been warned.*) I can't say I frequent here often, but when I do-- I leave with what I came for. Pricing is fair but I honestly go straight to the sale rack when I'm here. (I've always been a fan of the sidewalk sales during the summer. Always finding a new pair of shoes at a great price!) Staff is VERY knowledgeable and welcoming. The location is stellar, with the ramp right across the street.

Active Endeavors can definitely be a pricey since they carry all of the high quality name brands…read moreyou seek when you're gearing up for an outdoorsy trip, but their sales staff is excellent, and if you plan accordingly (aka try to buy things off season) you can find some absolutely wonderful deals. For example - last winter I spilled battery acid all over my NorthFace winter jacket - the kind that goes down to your ankles. BUT it happened just late enough in the winter that Active Endeavors was gearing up for one of their annual sales, and guess what? I got a replacement jacket for nearly 50 percent off. Huzzah! It was a win for me because I got a new coat, and I had the opportunity to support a local business, which I love doing. Active Endeavors also has a killer shoe selection - I'm not sure if people know this, but it's worth checking out!

It was quite awhile ago but the owner refused to let us return a defective handmade purse so no one…read morein our family will ever shop there again. It was the 2nd defective one with almost the same problem as the 1st one. My husband was the one that exchanged it for me & being the clueless man he is didn't notice the defect. I noticed it the second he got it home & we went to return it together same day as purchase. Selling defective merchandise with a refusal to allow it to be returned tells me all I need to know about how you do business so no thanks. I returned home & threw the junk purse that costs us a pretty penny straight into the trash can. OM will never waste my money again. Forever Boycotting!

Stopped in as an out of town guest to check out this eclectic boutique. The beautiful aromas…read morebrought me in the door. The selection of merchandise and organization was great, with the exception that the female staff member followed me around as though I was a hardened criminal ready to case her store. Sadly, I would have more than likely spent greater than $100 that visit and recommended her strongly to others. A little bit of nice goes a long way. I am currently dressed in yoga casual clothes with full hair and makeup. Not saying that should matter but case in point; you are a wellness store...judge less not be judged.

Gosh. I am not sure there is anything I enjoy more than a good sale. Well... besides maybe online…read moreshopping while binge watching a show in my PJs? Oh, and of course shopping local! Enter the pandemic. If there is one positive that came out of the pandemic, it is that so many of my favorite downtown shops now have an online store! I was perusing Textile's Winter Clearance sale... and of course found items (at a whopping 80% off?!?!) I got a scarf and some gloves. I paid via PayPal. And a mere two business days later Iowa City Downtown District delivered my purchase to my doorstep... for free. A win all around. If you're looking for quality women's clothes, unique jewelry, fun handbags or stylin shoes stop by this local, women-owned biz. Whether that be IRL or online! (https://textilesic.com/)

Textiles has long been one of my go-to stops when I'm looking for a unique gift for a friend or…read morefamily member. I first wandered into this lovely shop with my mother while I was an undergraduate student, and it's become kind of a mother-daughter tradition ever since! They have a great selection of women's clothing that's appropriate for people of all ages, and a really great selection of designer jewelry and accessories that make for great gifts. Over the years, I've purchased a few "Hobo" wallets, some really adorable necklaces, and, one of my favorite clothing items which is a pair of black leggings that are attached to a skirt - most comfortable thing, ever, EVER! The women who work here are incredibly nice and helpful, and it's always a fun experience when I go in to pick out something for someone else. Love this place.

The Savvy Boutique is a hidden gem in Iowa City. I often stop in here and there when I'm in town. I…read moreoften find designer label clothes for significantly discounted pricing and excellent condition. I've purchased several stable items in my closet, which I find hard to do at consignment stores. The prices are reasonable and product is changing frequently. They provide excellent customer service each time I've been there. As the previous reviewer wrote, there's always things the can improve on and, the store simply can't meet everyone's style or needs. I'm glad you're open and can't wait to stop by.

Odd store. Owner seemed friendly on the phone but when I went in to drop off items to consign…read morewhichever employee was working that day had an attitude and was quite unpleasant to interact with. Most of the clothes I brought in were not accepted because the tag manufacture date showed they were made 2-3 years ago, despite them being in excellent condition & classic styles from quality brands. It seems like an odd policy for a store to not accept a wool LL Bean coat because it was manufactured two years ago, but isn't above selling Lulularoe. Overall the store has a very "mature" feel, to put it politely, and whoever is curating the inventory determined to be good enough to sell seems to be very out of touch with styles desirable for anyone younger than 60 years old. Perhaps the most memorable part of this store however is how badly it reeks of the Jimmy Johns sub store next store to it. I can't imagine what the clothes smell like once you get them home! I will not be returning & would not recommend consigning or shopping here.

A+, this Framing Shop is Simply Spectacular. When the late Anthony Bourdain was doing "Raw Craft"…read more(available on YouTube), this place would easily qualify. This is the real deal with all the expertise and tools in abundance. I'm happy that gems like this exist. Hope that my neighbors also discover this wonderful shop. Thank you for all your help!

This place is the best! Great customer service and craftsmanship. We've had nothing but good…read moreexperiences going to them for repairs and new projects alike. Would recommend.

Everyone needs a Ragstock in their life…read more It's this hole in a wall shop at the bottom of some treacherous stairs. It smells kind of funky down there because there are literally racks and racks of used items. They sell new, cheap staples as well. But why everyone should have one in their life, isn't because of the new merch. It is because they sell oddities. 80s lewks. Hawaiian shirt madness. Retro prom dresses at Halloween. Hats you can find nowhere else. Ragstock is unlike any store living downtown. It also boasts a pretty large men's section-- which isn't normal for the district. The price tag is right. The staff is more or less attentive. Park in a ramp. (First hour free!) More times then not, when you're searching for a particular odd ball item-- they'll have it in spades. It's not the most glamorous shop and honestly isn't really a spot I'd frequent on the regular. But it gets the job done and is one of the few like it in town. Stop in Ragstock and up-cycle some used apparel.

It was a miserable, sweltering day and I was walking a little overheating beagle…read more Did I mention we weren't welcome at a lot of stores? Imagine my joy and the relief of a beagle to step in somewhere cool! The gentlemen at the counter was so friendly- his kindness was so welcomed and helpful. I bought a beautiful summery dress for a $10 bargain price tag. Also, they had an endless array of bandannas- should beagle want to match! Go and shop here!