It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Terrace Hill Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Des Moines, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Good Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Flemings Prime Steakhouse Wine Bar or visit Witmer House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Des Moines, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Des Moines, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Des Moines, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
AMES – There is plenty of veteran experience on the Iowa State football offensive line, but on the other side of the ball the Cyclones are playing getting-to-know-you on the defensive line.There are a few returners, but mostly a lot of new faces, especially after t...
AMES – There is plenty of veteran experience on the Iowa State football offensive line, but on the other side of the ball the Cyclones are playing getting-to-know-you on the defensive line.
There are a few returners, but mostly a lot of new faces, especially after the graduations of Joey Petersen and co-captain J.R. Singleton, as well as defensive end Tyler Onyedim transferring to Texas A&M.
The NCAA permits 15 on-field practices over a 34-day window during the spring, with no more than 12 sessions involving contact. The Cyclones plan on making the most out of every minute of that limited.
"With the defensive line, young group," Iowa State defensive line coach Eli Rasheed said. "We have a really veteran offensive line that's really helping us out in these 15 practices. We're going to need all 15 of them. We've got some new faces out there."
Fortunately for the Cyclones, they retained interior lineman Domonique Orange, who appeared in 13 games and made seven starts. He opted to return to Iowa State instead of chasing more lucrative NIL possibilities through the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-4, 325-pound senior has been All-Big 12 honorable mention over the last two years. Last season, he had 24 tackles, a sack and a pass deflection, serving mostly as a block-eater and disruptor up front in defensive coordinator Jon Heacock's 3-3-5 defense. He showed flashes of great potential, especially toward the end of the season, but this year he aims to be more productive on the field.
"I feel like I left too many things on the table – up to chance – and this year, I'm coming for it all," said Orange, who also noted that he didn't reach out to evaluators to gauge his NFL prospects and planned on returning to play college football. "I'll be honest, I missed too many tackles, took too many plays off. Anything you can think of, whatever you've seen during that season, I definitely think I can do better."
Iowa State's coaching staff is counting on Orange to carry the torch left behind by Singleton as a defensive leader and find greater consistency. The Cyclones are anticipating a big year and plenty of responsibility for him in games.
"He's working on his body, preparing to play a lot of football," Rasheed said. "We have to leave that guy out on the field, so his conditioning and those things – he's really working on his body and being able to stay out on the field for 60-something plays."
In addition to getting Orange back, the Cyclones bolstered their coaching staff by adding 11-year NFL veteran Bryce Paup, who was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, to assist Rasheed in coaching the defensive line. Paup is a newcomer to Ames after previously coaching the defensive line at Northern Iowa and Minnesota.
"Just coming back here and putting that (knowledge) into us and allowing us to see different ways to improve our game – I think him being here is a great thing," redshirt junior defensive end Ikenna Ezeogu said of Paup. "Not even for me, but also the young guys coming forward."
Ezeogu has been in the rotation for 27 games over the last few seasons, and he'll be another experienced player in the trenches. Zaimir Hawk also saw plenty of playing time last season after taking a redshirt year.
Many of the other faces will be new. The Cyclones added Northern Iowa's Cannon Butler and Tulsa's Vontroy Malone through the transfer portal. A third transfer, Yale's Tamatoa McDonough, will arrive in the summer to join the team.
Iowa State also has three incoming freshmen who enrolled early to participate in spring football, with Ka'Mori Moore, Charlie Woleben and Trey Verdon, the younger brother of NFL safety prospect Malik Verdon.
"You have to talk them off the ledge every practice because if they remember their high school film, they're wrong," said Rasheed of trying to mold incoming freshmen and break old bad habits. "The best thing a freshman kid coming into college can do is to bury that video, because you're starting over and you've got good offensive linemen, physical guys."
Jace Gilbert and Alijah Carnell will also be competing for spots in the pecking order after redshirt seasons last year.
According to Rasheed, the plan is to develop "pairs and spares" at all positions on the defensive line, and possibly go three-deep on the depth chart on the defensive line.
The Cyclones' Aug. 23 season opener against Kansas State will be here before they know it. While the defensive line is a work-in-progress, they're optimistic that they'll be ready to go in the trenches.
"How can we simplify things up front?" Rasheed said of the approach in developing younger and new talent. "I think that gives guys an advantage to maybe working and getting into that 2-deep or 3-deep, with how we simplify our defense now, so some guys can pick it up and get going. Then we can figure out what we got after these 15 practices, but it doesn't bother me. It's going to be all of summer into fall camp and we got to get ready by the first game, and we can get rolling."
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
A national campaign that plays on Iowa State University athletes’ names, urging consumers to "Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon," has won three big national agricultural marketing awards.The Iowa Pork Producers Association said Friday said its campaign featuring ISU Cyclones football players Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann and Caleb Bacon to, yeah, buy more ham and bacon, swept the National Agri-Marketing Association contest this week.The campaign won Grand Champion, Best of Show and first pla...
A national campaign that plays on Iowa State University athletes’ names, urging consumers to "Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon," has won three big national agricultural marketing awards.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association said Friday said its campaign featuring ISU Cyclones football players Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann and Caleb Bacon to, yeah, buy more ham and bacon, swept the National Agri-Marketing Association contest this week.
The campaign won Grand Champion, Best of Show and first place for Social Media use to communicate with consumers. The NAMA judges considered 950 award entries in more than 60 categories, the pork producers said.
The campaign, which began in September 2023 as a Name, Image and Likeness — or NIL — partnership between the pork producers and the ISU athletes, strategically placed the Cyclones behind a large ham and 14 pounds of bacon. The photo went viral across social media, gained significant national media attention, and was named Best NIL Deal of 2023 by the Sports Business Journal.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association partnered with the Meyocks agency for a sequel in 2024. A series of video skits with Purchase, Moore, Hamann and Bacon serving as judges while several of their teammates and other Cyclone student-athletes try out for roles in the campaign.
A retail component also was added this year, with Hy-Vee’s top 200 stores across the Midwest displaying "Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon" signs as part of a tailgate promotion in September and October. The participants say the effort worked.
“Iowa pork producers are thrilled with the response to ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ and kudos to everyone involved in this effort,” especially the ISU student-athletes, Aaron Juergens, a pig farmer from Carroll who serves as president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association board, said in a statement.
“This is a great example of a partnership that not only engages our consumers but also helps Iowa farmers and pork producers,” said Jason Pride, Hy-Vee vice president of meat and seafood. “We also want to thank the Iowa Pork Producers Association for being a partner in our efforts to reduce hunger across the state with the tremendous donation to food banks across Iowa.”
The pork association donated $1,000 apiece worth of pork to food pantries chosen by the Cyclone student-athlete who participated in the promotion, and an additional $16,000 worth of pork to the Iowa Food Bank Association. The effort amounted to nearly 50,000 servings for people facing food insecurity, the groups say.
Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at [email protected].
Iowa is changing the cliche to "March showers bring May flowers" because the last month helped some areas of the state rebound from drought conditions.January and February were dry months, but March saw above-normal rainfall, which improved some drought conditions in Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources."Despite an unseasonably dry January and February, the above-average rainfall in March improved conditions across the state, but most notably in northwest, west, and central I...
Iowa is changing the cliche to "March showers bring May flowers" because the last month helped some areas of the state rebound from drought conditions.
January and February were dry months, but March saw above-normal rainfall, which improved some drought conditions in Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
"Despite an unseasonably dry January and February, the above-average rainfall in March improved conditions across the state, but most notably in northwest, west, and central Iowa," said Jessica Reese McIntyre, DNR Environmental Specialist.
March averaged a statewide precipitation rate of 2.57 inches, according to the Iowa DNR. This is 0.58 inches above normal.
Snowfall for March was nearly three-quarters of an inch below normal. Temperatures ran higher, running 6 degrees above the average, according to a report from the Iowa DNR.
Around 78% of the state is still considered abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of the ground improvements occurred in northwestern and central Iowa. Counties in moderate drought decreased from 33% to 29% since the start of April, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
"Northeast Iowa remains under a drought watch as D1 – Severe Drought persists. The National Weather Service precipitation outlooks predict an equal chance for the entire state for above, below, or normal precipitation through June,” McIntyre said in a DNR news release.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions across the country. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday.
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically under D0 conditions, corn can show drought stress. Pond levels start to decline under moderate drought conditions and soybeans abort pods, according to the Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor also has a look-back chart that compares drought conditions from 3 months ago up to one year ago.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
The second-ever Iowa high school girls wrestling four-time state champion made her college decision Friday.Riverside's Molly Allen will be attending Oklahoma State University and training with the ...
The second-ever Iowa high school girls wrestling four-time state champion made her college decision Friday.
Riverside's Molly Allen will be attending Oklahoma State University and training with the Cowgirls Wrestling Club, she announced Friday. The club is coached by former Cowboy men's wrestler Izzak Olejnik (head coach), former Ohio State and Oregon State wrestler Gary Traub (assistant coach).
The program has hopes of developing into a Division I program one day. During an intermission of an Oklahoma State men's dual against West Virginia, the club held a dual vs. Oklahoma City University.
Allen made her commitment public on Friday morning at Riverside High School. She posted a 103-0 record against girls in her high school career. Against boys, she was 29-7 during her freshman season.
She became just the second girl to ever win four state titles, following Decorah's Naomi Simon, who accomplished that feat in 2024. Allen also won a 16U Fargo freestyle national title and a Super 32 title during her prep career. The Riverside senior was considered the top prospect available in the state of Iowa from the 2025 class and was ranked No. 4 nationally at 125 pounds by USA Wrestling.
While she won't be directly competing in the NCAA's inaugural women's wrestling season, barring a sudden change for Oklahoma State, she will be able to compete in the same open tournaments that the Iowa women's wrestling program competes in. For example, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club had the Missouri Valley Open and the North Central Open listed on its schedule, both of which Iowa wrestled in.
The Cowgirl Wrestling Club sent multiple wrestlers earlier this month to the USMC Women's National Championships, where World team spots and Pan American Championship bids are up for grabs, leaving open the chance for Allen to compete on international stages.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23
A new take on grocery shopping is coming to Ingersoll Avenue.Des Moines resident Amanda Seals is getting ready to open a refill store with a focus on dry ingredients, vegan food and products from local vendors. At the Refill Market, shoppers will be able to fill up canning jars with as much or as little as they need, and their hauls will be weighed at the register.Seals, who currently works as director of operations at the Climb Iowa climbing walls in the East Village and Grimes, decided to start her own business after realizin...
A new take on grocery shopping is coming to Ingersoll Avenue.
Des Moines resident Amanda Seals is getting ready to open a refill store with a focus on dry ingredients, vegan food and products from local vendors. At the Refill Market, shoppers will be able to fill up canning jars with as much or as little as they need, and their hauls will be weighed at the register.
Seals, who currently works as director of operations at the Climb Iowa climbing walls in the East Village and Grimes, decided to start her own business after realizing that typical grocery stores weren't catering to the way she wanted to shop.
"I was so sick of going to the grocery store and not being able to find things not wrapped in a bunch of unnecessary plastic," Seals said, "like a plastic bag, inside of a box."
She aims to open the Refill Market's doors by the end of August. Besides dry goods, the market will have a deli case stocked with prepared, grab-and-go food.
Down the road, Seals hopes to carry meat alternatives, plant-based milk in bulk and nut butters made on site.
Even though the Refill Market will specialize in sustainable shopping and vegan goods, Seals thinks it also will present new opportunities for cost-conscious shoppers. Bakers trying out a new recipe will be able to save money by getting only what they need, and home chefs can sample spices while stocking up on rice and pasta.
"I feel like everyone can shop there," Seals said.
Refill Market will open in commercial space on the ground floor of the newly-completed Star Lofts, Iowa's first zero-carbon certified building. The mixed-use building, with apartments on the upper floors, replaced the old Star gas station at 2701 Ingersoll Ave.
Seals said she appreciated the building's commitment to sustainability. The Star Loft's features — eco-friendly building materials, high-efficiency heating, cooling and lighting and on- and off-site solar panels — mirror her own business' efforts to reduce waste.
The building's owners agree that the Refill Market and the Star Lofts make a good pairing.
"We are thrilled to have Amanda and her business, the Refill Market, in the building," said Scott Cutler of Cutler Development. "She is a perfect fit for the sustainable and health initiatives of the building, and we think she will be a great addition to the neighborhood."
Seals has been working to bring her dreams to life since 2023. She initially hoped to open next to The Collective in Highland Park, another refill concept, but one that specializes in bulk refills of cleaning supplies, hand soap, shampoo and conditioner and sustainable pet supplies. Owner Jamie Nicolino was an early mentor and friend to her.
But Seals said that after discovering issues with the condition of the storefront she was preparing to occupy in the historic former Euclid Avenue State Bank, she realized she wouldn't be able to store food there. Neighboring children's bookstore the Little Book eventually expanded into the space.
Polk County court records show the building's owner took Seals to court for unpaid rent. After mediation, the lease was terminated.
On the bright side, those years of preparation mean Seals is ready to start hawking her goods once the Star Lofts space is ready for her. Work on the interior of her shop is expected to wrap up in July.
"It feels good to be a little bit ahead of the game that way," she said. "I have my wholesalers, I already have the agreements and all those applications filled out. It feels like I'm in a good place."
Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 or [email protected], and follow her on X at @addisonlathers.
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