Entry No. 45 — the Des Moines file — filed under: witchy
In Spyrit Metaphysical (& Des Moines Paranormal)
A metaphysical supply shop co-owned and staffed by the founders of Des Moines Paranormal, an active spirit-removal and ghost-investigation crew. The crystals, herbs, and sage share shelf space with real paranormal-investigation gear and the people who use it.
The story
Don't go looking for this place in Des Moines proper—you will end up in the wrong county. The storefront sits on Kellogg Avenue in downtown Ames, roughly 40 minutes north on I-35. But the crew running the counter is Des Moines Paranormal, an active, non-profit team of investigators who spend their off-hours handling spirit removals, house calls, and unexplainable hauntings across the region.
Established around 2020 by Triesa and Shawn L., the shop acts as the physical, walk-in front for their field work. The inventory isn't just imported quartz and bundle-wrapped sage—the crystals and herbs share shelf space with actual ghost-hunting equipment, field gear, and the people who use them in the dark. If you stop in for raw obsidian or candle supplies, you are just as likely to walk away with a second-person account of an investigation that wrapped up at 3:00 AM.
What it's like
Inside 114 Kellogg Avenue, the energy leans far more toward an operational field office and herb shop than a staged gift boutique. Two resident shop cats pace the floor, threading between shelves of hand-selected healing crystals, tarot decks, and ritual herbs. Skip the hassle of hunting for metered curb spots on Main Street; pull directly into the free city lots a block south of Main along Kellogg between Clark and Duff, which leaves you steps from the door. If the counter isn't busy, ask about recent cases or check if readings are available on-site.
The move: Pick out a crystal or herb bundle together, then corner co-owner Terri or Shawn to ask what they pulled off their most recent spirit-removal case.
📍 Before you go Despite the name, the shop is in downtown Ames, not Des Moines — a straight shot about 40 minutes north on I-35, half a block off Main Street. Curb spots on Main are metered, but the city keeps free lots a block south of Main on either side of Kellogg between Clark and Duff, which lands you steps from the door. The ghost-hunting side is request-based — Des Moines Paranormal takes investigation and spirit-removal cases through their site, so treat the shop as the walk-in half and the case files as conversation. Two shop cats patrol the floor, and readings are on the menu if the talk runs long.
- 📍 Ames
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 114 Kellogg Ave, Ames, IA 50010
Hours: Added 2026-06-09 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Cellar 626 — After browsing herbs and ghost gear, head down Lincoln Way and step behind the beer cooler at Cyclone Liquors to find an unadvertised speakeasy.
- Time Out Ames — Walk a few blocks west into downtown Ames to trade paranormal talk for retro pinball machines and arcade cabinets.
- Boone County Historical Society (former Masonic Temple) — Drive 14 miles west to Boone to tour a 1907 Masonic Temple known for its own resident poltergeist.
- Paradox Antiques, Art, & Oddities — Continue west into Boone to pair your metaphysical supply run with Victorian oddities, medical antiques, and taxidermy.
Good to know
Why is a Des Moines paranormal shop located in Ames?
While the investigation team operates out of the broader metro, the physical storefront is located in downtown Ames at 114 Kellogg Ave, about 40 minutes north of Des Moines off I-35.
Can I request a ghost investigation or spirit removal at the store?
The investigation side operates on a case-by-case basis through Des Moines Paranormal's website. Treat the Kellogg Avenue store as the retail shop and walk-in front, but you can talk to the team in person while you're there.
Where is the best place to park?
Bypassing metered street parking on Main Street is easy: use the city's free parking lots located one block south of Main on either side of Kellogg Avenue, situated between Clark and Duff.
What products and services are available inside?
The store stocks hand-selected crystals, herbs, sage, candles, and metaphysical tools alongside ghost-hunting gear, with tarot or intuitive readings available depending on staff schedule.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-09