Gate-side gifts and snacks at Mill Supply Co
Just past security in Terminal 1 at DSM, Mill Supply Co sits on the main concourse near the central gates, so you pass it on the way to most departures. It functions as the airport’s general store: magazines, grab‑and‑go snacks, cold drinks, and last‑minute travel items all in one stop.
Hours typically track the first and last bank of flights, opening around the first morning departures and staying open into the evening rush, especially when the Des Moines–Chicago and Des Moines–Denver runs are operating. If you have a 20–30 minute window before boarding, you can comfortably duck in, grab what you need, and still make it back to gates like A1–A5 without stress.
Expect standard airport pricing: bottled drinks run a bit over street prices, and packaged snacks and candy come in at a few dollars more than a supermarket in town. You’ll also find basic tech (phone chargers, earbuds, charging bricks), plus travel‑size toiletries that can save you if something got left behind at home or during TSA screening.
Mill Supply Co carries DSM and Iowa‑themed souvenirs, from Des Moines skyline mugs to Hawkeye and Cyclone gear, alongside postcards and basic apparel like t‑shirts and caps. It’s a decent backup if you forgot a gift after a downtown visit and realize it 15 minutes before your flight out of Terminal 1.
Tip: If your priority is a snack and a charger before boarding a regional flight, hit Mill Supply Co first while you’re still near the central concourse, then walk out to the end gates so you’re not backtracking with a tight boarding time.