If you’ve been keeping up with the blog these days, you’ll notice I’ve started sharing more local makers’ works and highlighting different shops. And for a lot of my readers, local is in Iowa. So, I was so excited when Travel Iowa opened Shop Iowa as a way to directly support small businesses in the state.
And as luck would have it, Travel Iowa asked me to share some of my top picks from different Iowa small businesses. Challenge accepted! I’m shopping around for a Father’s Day gift for Mr. Wonderful, so I thought now would be a great time to share some of the fun (and funny) items I’ve discovered on Shop Iowa.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Travel Iowa. All thoughts, opinions, and typos are my own.
Goofy socks
Socks. The quintessential gift for dads. Why not gift him something that’s not only practical — socks — but funny?
A Heavenly Celebration may be a bridal shop in Emmetsburg, but as a boutique, they have gifts for just about everyone. And that includes dads. Check out these men’s socks they sell.
It’s a tough call between getting the hipster dog socks or the pig socks.
Funny t-shirts
And if you’re not buying Dad socks, you’re probably buying him a new shirt. Amiright?
This shirt is for the foodie with a sense of humor. It’s sold by Paper Moon, a cute shop in McGregor. But, since McGregor isn’t near us, shopping online is easy at Shop Iowa!
Hot sauce
You’ve got to love hot sauce that describes itself by saying “This sauce won’t melt your brain, but…” What hot sauce-loving dad wouldn’t want to be gifted that?
Cafe Sign Floral & Gift in Lenox sells The General Hot Sauce shaped like a grenade. I’m particular to the look of the Dead Red, but you can also get the dad in your life Marine Green or Shock and Awe.
Pop culture collectibles
If your shopping for a dad who’s into Monty Python, check out the Mason City shop Oak Leaf Comics & Collectibles. They’ve got a talking holy hand grenade (you get it if you’ve seen “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”).
The store sells a variety of pop culture goodies from games and action figures to vinyl records.
Beer magnets
If you know a dad who enjoys a beer from time to time, these funny magnets might be great for him. These magnets are sold at Potpourri – Gifts for the Home & Garden in Dubuque. They also have funny coffee magnets, if that’s more of his speed.
Manly products
I love this line of bath products for men made by Lucy and Woody Manly Products. Why should moms be the only one being given pampering items? Plus, as a bonus, these all have funny names.
They’re sold in Sioux City Gifts, a fun store in Sioux City. Products include DUDE, Your Lips Are Chapped Lip Balm and Stud Bubbles Soaps.
Featured Iowa small businesses
If you want to visit these stores, here’s where you can find them in Iowa:
A Heavenly Celebration, 2001 10th St., Emmetsburg, Iowa
Cafe Sign Floral & Gift, 109 N. Main St., Lenox, Iowa
Oak Leaf Comics & Collectibles, 221 N. Federal Ave., Mason City, Iowa
Paper Moon, 206 A St., McGregor, Iowa
Potpourri – Gifts for the Home & Garden, 474 Bluff St., Dubuque, Iowa
Sioux City Gifts, 1922 Pierce St., Sioux City, Iowa
