Story by Morgan Gstalter
When Scooter’s Coffee opened last month in Drake West Village to replace the void left by Starbucks after its move-out durinag the spring semester of 2013, students were anxious about what other establishments would open within walking distance to Drake in Dogtown and surrounding areas.
Many students, including first-years, don’t bring a car to campus or don’t feel like paying rising gas prices every time they’d like to venture outside campus.
While there are a variety of stores in larger neighborhoods like Urbandale, Merle Hay, West Des Moines, Valley West Mall, Jordan Creek Town Center and downtown Des Moines, they aren’t always the easiest or most convenient places to get to for a little shopping or a sudden craving during a study session.
The Times-Delphic asked students what restaurants, stores and businesses were on their wish-lists.
Cody Dressler hails from Chicago, along with hundreds of other Drake students. Chicago is home to the creation of deep-dish pizza and while he says he probably can’t get another Lou Malnati’s in Des Moines, he wishes for something other than chain delivery places like Domino’s or Little Caesars.
Madison Hershkovitz agreed.
“There’s a place called Mesa Pizza. It’s in big college towns like Iowa City or Minneapolis with the University of Minnesota. It makes speciality, quirky pizzas like mac-n-cheese or quesadilla. There have huge slices that are really filling, and they’re only like $3,” Hershkovitz said.
Hershkovitz also said her sister, who attends the University of Iowa, could “walk out of her dorm and go shopping.”
Taylor Becktold also pointed out that there is not one men’s clothing store around Drake.
“What about speciality clothes? I wouldn’t mind it if a funky haberdashery went up around here. It’s like a men’s accessory store that sells cufflinks, ties and hats,” Becktold said.
That wouldn’t be bad, come job interview time.
Sometimes, Zombie Burger is too far away and perhaps a little too eccentric, and McDonald’s is too McDonald’s-esque.
Becktold, who does have a car on campus, admitted he doesn’t like driving his car unless he has to.
“Sometimes, I just want a place I can walk to and hang out,” Becktold said.
You never know when you’re going to have to run out for a new pair of shoes when you break one right before an event (trust me, it’s not fun).
Because when you stress-chip your nails over your midterm, a little mani-pedi time with your best friends would be fun and relaxing.
