DES MOINES, Iowa — The Little Book celebrated one year on Sunday, and says the community support has been overwhelming.

Located in the Highland Park neighborhood, Bethany and David Fast opened The Little Book in 2024 and say the community response and support has been amazing.

“We have such incredible customers, incredible fellow business owners nearby who have shown us nothing but love and support,” said Bethany Fast. “It’s been a really, really good year.”

On Sunday, the store threw a birthday party for the store with story time, dancing and music, snacks, and arts and crafts.

Fast says the store has helped bring more people into the neighborhood and already has some regulars.

“It’s just, I think, a nice little kind of cornerstone of the community here,” said Fast. “We’ve got a good core group of regulars that we see sometimes in really kind of almost every day, at least pop in to say hello.”

The one-year celebration is a landmark for the store, but Fast says it’s not just the bookstore making waves.

“I would just ask those to keep an eye on Highland Park, a lot of wheels are turning,” said Fast. “A lot of effort is being put into not only just expanding the neighborhood, but preserving the history that’s here, making sure that, you know, the neighborhood remains inclusive and diverse.”