Excitement filled the air as dozens of K-pop fans lined up for the grand opening of Mins Studios Kpop & Gifts at 5008 EP True Parkway in West Des Moines.
The new store offers a variety of K-pop culture items, from albums and decorations to stationery and cosmetics. But it’s the collectible albums, complete with random photo cards featuring members of popular K-pop groups, that have fans most eager to shop. “The real motivator for buying these albums is the photo cards, which people really enjoy collecting,” said Emma Walker, co-owner of Mins Studios.
Walker, who has been selling K-pop-themed stickers and decorations online since 2022, saw a growing demand in Iowa and decided to open a physical location. “We wanted to make this a one-stop shop for K-pop fans and fans of Korean culture in general,” she explained. With the Midwest fan base growing, the store is quickly becoming a local favorite.
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