Why I Love Being Based on Main Street (And Why You Should Check Out the Farmers’ Market)

Our office sits at the west end of Main Street in downtown Ames, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite things about where we work. Main Street has a real identity — locally owned shops, restaurants, and on Saturday mornings, one of the best reasons to be downtown: the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market.

Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market — every Saturday, 8am-12:30pm, Downtown Ames
Local produce, baked goods, and vendors set up along Main Street through the season. It’s walkable, it’s low-key, and it’s a good way to actually meet the neighborhood if you’re new to Ames or thinking about being.

If you’re looking at property anywhere near downtown, I’d encourage you to swing by on a Saturday morning before you make any decisions — it tells you more about the day-to-day feel of the area than a listing photo ever will. And if you’re already in town, it’s worth becoming a habit if it isn’t one already.

Downtown Ames has changed a lot over the years, and Main Street specifically has held onto a lot of its character while still growing. Being based here means I see that firsthand, week to week — which is part of why I like recommending it to people looking to put down roots in Ames.