Mar 6, 2008

Frackleberrys sells nothing you need, everything you wantBy Joanne BoeckmanDesMoinesRegister.com

What do two downtown gift shops have in common with one in Valley Junction?

Answer: They are sister shops owned by David Starlin.

Starlin opened Frackleberrys, a gift shop and home accessory boutique, in Valley Junction in May 2007. He also opened a gift shop, Etc., at 555 Walnut St., on the skywalk in Des Moines, in early 2006, and just over four years ago, he bought Roc’s, a long-time card and gift shop on the Kaleidoscope skywalk.

We talked to Starlin about the West Des Moines shop.

Q. How would you describe Frackleberrys?

A. I’d say it’s pretty eclectic – a mix of products and ever-changing. We get different or new things coming in all the time – new or new to this store.

We do have some local artist pieces here. One artist I use relatively frequently here is Brian Griffiths of Norwalk. We have a sculpture of his in the window – a hand cut, brushed metal big chunky-heeled strappy sandal. He also does a lot of garden pieces and sculptures.

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