 Wine, Cheese, and Jelly House in Amana by deecat | Go shopping in Iowa with recommendations, reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and locals. Map |
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While in Kalona, we went to the Kalona Bakery. While we were there, we checked out their menu. They had freshly made sandwiches and soups.
They are very famous for their donuts, pastries, cookies, cakes, pies, rolls, bread, and homemade noodles. My mother always made such delicious homemade noodles [very thin], and when I saw theirs, I just had to purchase a bag to take home to try.
I learned that Kalona Bakery supplies more than 100 grocery stores throughout Iowa and nearby states with their famous homemade noodles!
If you eat lunch there, you may order sub sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, taco wraps, soups salads, and bottled beverages.
If you are a tourist who just wants to take home some delicious food, you are able to find canned meats, pastas, Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls, jams and jellies, and the noodles, of course.
In addition, they sell Kalona mugs and they make up gift boxes.
I've tried the jam that I purchased, and it is excellent.
Usually in a tourist area, the prices are very high. Both Jill and I thought that the prices were quite fair. Leave a Comment Theme: Food and DrinkAddress: 209 5th Street, downtown KalonaPhone: 319-656-2013 or 1-800-213-4531Website: www.kalonabaker.com Other Contact: kalonabakery@kctc.net
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 Jill on Steps of Gotta Have It
Clothing Store by deecat, 2 more photos
Well, that all changed when we walked into the shop called "Gotta Have It"! I asked the owner Julie Berstler if they had hats, and she said, "we really don't stock too many hats". I just happened to look up and saw a set of stairs with items placed on each step in a lovely manner. There were three hats. So, I pointed that out to Jill. She looked at all three, tried them on, and selected a darling Red one. {See photograph #3}
Gotta Have It carries Ladies clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
It is open:
Monday through Friday from 10am-5:30pm
Saturday from 10am-5pm
Sunday from 11am-3pm.
Jill did not tell me what she paid for her hat; however, she said that it was quite reasonable. The shop carries Ladies Clothing, Jewelry, and Accessories. The prices, I felt, were typical of small, independent shops...expensive but of high quality. Leave a Comment Theme: Women's ClothesAddress: 315 Bluff StreetPhone: 563-588-3956Other Contact: e-mail:gottahaveit@quest.net
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 Darling Sign for Pixie Stix
Children's Store by deecat, 2 more photos
Monday-Saturday
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday:
12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Pixie Stix is an adorable shop for children's toys, accesories, Games, collectibles, and Doll Adoptions. One of the cutest things we saw while in the shop was an actual nursery viewing room as is found in hospitals. The room was filled with baby dolls in their beds all in a row. I just had to take a photograph.
Most of the toys are quite educational and well made. They are especially big on letting children actually participate in the making of toys such as dolls and teddy bears.
Pixie Stix is the perfect place [especially for grandmothers] to shop for children.
I purchased a wooden 'paper doll' toy. It is like the usual paper doll with clothes that you can change; however, it is made of wood.
I also purchased ribbons attached to a hair barrette in various colors. When I arrived home from my 8-day trip, I took care of Sabrina Dee for two days so she received both gifts immediately. She really enjoyed her wooden paper doll. My daughter Jill really appreciated the bows for her hair.
Photographs:
1. Signage of Pixie Stix
2. Baby Nursery Inside Pixie Stix
3. Deecat receiving her purchases inside Pixie Stix
The day that Jill and I were at Pixie Stix, they were having a 20% off everything in the store in honor of Dubuque Fest. The Wooden paper doll was originally only $4.99 minus 20% [what a deal!]
The ribbon bows on barrettes were each $3.25 minus the 20%. Leave a Comment Theme: Toys and GamesAddress: 425 Bluff StreetPhone: 563-582-2228
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While visiting Cable Car Square, we stopped in at an architectural beauty called Willows. They feature antiques, home decor and florals. The thing that Jill and I enjoyed about Willows is the unique, one-of-a-kind gifts on display. There were several rooms downstairs and upstairs, but they were not so jam-packed that you could not see the displays as in some of the other stores.
This shop was in one side of a duplex. We just happed to meet a woman shopper who said that as a child she lived on the other side of the duplex. She was thrilled that the shop-owner had kept it in the proper time period. The wood floors were beautiful as were the other wood accents.
Jill purchased a beautiful bag that folded down into about a 12" square, but when it was unfolded, it made a gorgeous bag for shopping, traveling, or to use as a purse.
The prices were reasonable for such quality. Jill only paid $14.95 for her bag. Leave a Comment Theme: AntiquesAddress: 471 West 4th StreetPhone: 563-690-1593Directions: Located at Cable Car Square
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Be sure to check out all the photographs!
The Book Worm Books & Things Store is quite unique. Like other bookstores, they have a variety of books {fiction, non-fiction, mystery, cooking, historical, authobiographies, children's books] and they also have "experienced" books that are still in great shape and much less expensive.
They have a very special "Historical to the Hysterical" section about the Bellevue War, ghost of the Mississippi River and more. They claim to have the most extensive collection of Bellevue, Iowa, and Mississippi River history books in the Midwest.
They also sell antiques and collectibles. I noticed that they have a huge selection of hand painted signs, some of which are quite humorous. In addition, they have a wide selection of scented candles. They also sell greeting cards by Leanin' Tree and Northern Exposure. I also saw neckwraps, memory stones, handmade craft items, humanity bracelets to name a few items. Some of their offerings are hand crafted by local artisans.
Prices were quite reasonable. Jill purchased a mystery that she had been wanting to read. Leave a Comment
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When you shop at Amana Colonies, you won't see a "chain store" in sight! Instead, you will discover handcrafted merchandise, specialty shops, boutique fashions, quality foods/beverages, and unique toys.
As Jill and I wander the streets of Amana, we took our time and enjoyed this one-of-a-kind type of shopping.
I cannot talk about all of the shops, but in this tip, I will concentrate on the ones that I photographed and where we made some purchases.
Photographs:
1. Wine, Cheese, and Jelly House . I purchased delicious jams here. We are busy eating them now..
2. The beautiful stone building that houses The Herb Lady that specializes in all kinds of herbs. When you walk into the store, your senses are tantalized with the mixture of aromas.
I was looking for some biGreek herbsbi, which I enjoy using when I am cooking the Rainbow Trout that my husband Allan catches when he goes on his twice annual fishing trips to Missouri. I was so pleased that the store carried the particular spice that I wanted.
3. The Fudge Factory is another store that awakens your senses. You can watch them making the fudge, other candies, and caramel apples; you can smell the delicious aromas that abound; you can, best of all, taste the sweetness [in my case, chocolate] of the homemade treats.
4. The Little Red Wagon is a unique toy store for adults as well as children. It has old-fashioned games,toys, and puzzles. We had fun remembering our own childhood and wishing that today's toys could be as simple yet educational.
5. The Coffee/tea/pastries Shop is where I had a most delicious cold chocolate drink that was quite satisfying on this warm spring afternoon.
Of course, we visited many more shops and even purchased items from other places [some will be individual tips], but no matter where you look or walk, you will enjoy going in and out of the quaint special shops here in Amana.
We found the prices to be surprisingly affordable and in keeping with specialty shops Leave a Comment Theme: OtherDirections: On all these shops are found in Amana on the main street
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It's almost a tradition that whenever Jill goes on a trip, she automatically searches for a new jacket [I think she has a fetish for jackets, which is a nice fetish to have!]
When we were in Amana, one of the seven Amana Colonies, we went inside a store called Yana's Ladies Boutique. It is a new shop in Amana and they advertise, "Classy Clothing & Accessories". That is not false advertising either. Some of the most beautiful items that we saw during our eight-day trip were found in Yana's.
We saw several jackets, and, of course, Jill tried them on. They were beautiful, but the fit for Jill was not so great. Then the helpful young woman in the shop pointed out another longer jacket. We both loved the green color and design, but Jill was even more delighted when the woman told her that it was a reversible jacket! The minute she tried it on, she knew that it was the "one".
Jill tries to purchase items that are made in America so when we looked at the tag, and it said those magic words, she was sold. The girl who designed the coat is new to the trade, and we both agreed that she is quite talented.
In Yana's Ladies Boutique, you will find slacks, tops, dresses, scarves, coats, jackets, belts, hats, jewelry, and other accessories. You certainly will never find these items in the typical chain stores in the "dime a dozen malls throughout America"!
This was a designer Coat made in America and the Price Reflected the Quality and Artistic Value of the Product [expensive] Leave a Comment Theme: Women's ClothesDirections: Main street in Amana
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 Heritage Designs Quilting &
Needlework Shop by deecat, 2 more photos
Heritage Designs Quilting and Needlework Shop in Amana Colonies, Iowa, occupied a large space. There were several rooms of fabrics stored on shelves and in bins. Quilts hung on the walls. I’m not sure how the space was organized, but the staff was helpful in directing us to sections of the rooms and searching for items.
Not surprisingly, the shop reminded me of those we visited in Ohio Amish country with a friendly old-fashioned feeling.
The shop had recently moved to this larger space and was located next to the Information Center in Amana.
[Dee] I personally was really impressed with the layout and amount of choices that this quilting shop had to offer. The lighting was wonderful so it was easy to match colors and designs. I purchased a few materials as a basic beginning for the bedroom Queen-sized quilt that Jill is making for me.
I was also very impressed with the two women who answer all of our many questions. [see photo]
Typical prices Leave a Comment Theme: Local CraftDirections: Next to the Information Center in Amana
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 Gourmet Decaf Flavored Coffee by deecat
Basket Expressions. All four of us were able to find items that we purchased, and that is rare.
A mother and daughter own this store [mother Millie Dolter and daughter Jennifer Jennifer Klaas]. It has been open since 1990. Its main purpose is to have a place where customized gifts can be purchased. This is an 11-room Victorian shop.
Inside Basket Expressions is an "in-store Stone Cliff Winery tasting room. This winery is located 7 miles north of Dubuque. The wines that you are able to taste are Cherry, Cranberry, Sweet Concord, White Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Chardonnay. Here you are also able to personalize a bottle of wine with a label that includes a photo or logo with a message. These are good for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and housewarming.
Basket Expressions is a delight to peruse. If we had more time, we would have spent it here.
Here at Basket Expressions, they have candy, dips, preserves, snacks, soups, teas, coffee, flavored coffees [both decaf and regular] and other gourmet foods.
They also specialize in customized baskets where you can select food items, teas, coffees and also candles wine glasses, and wine [with or without personalized labels].
In addition, they offer small items such as beautiful jewelry, small apparel items, luggage tags, and holiday decorative pieces.
Jill purchased luggage tags; Marcia bought gourmet coffee; Mickey purchased gourmet coffee [both decaf and regular]; and I purchased semi-precious stone earrings for my daughter Jill and four different decaf flavored coffees [Turtle Sundae, Almond Amareto, Snickerdoodle, and White Russian]
For the last week, I have sampled all four flavors of coffee, and they are so delicious. Because I like them so much, I plan to order more through their web-site.
I paid $11.00 for the earrings.
I paid $2.85 and $3.40 per 1/4 pound of flavored decaf gourmet coffees. Leave a Comment
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This is one of the best Burlington Coat Factorys I have been to. The prices are cheap, lots of sale items and lots of good products. Lots of Enyce, Sean John, South Pole and other clothing of that sort. Theme: Department StoreAddress: 4094 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310Phone: (515) 278-9935Directions: Very close to the Merle Hay Mall. The parking lots connect.
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