This year marks the 25th anniversary of ZZZ Records, the longest running constant in the Des Moines music scene. For a quarter century, ZZZ has been much more than a record store. It has been a gathering space, a cultural touchstone, and a living case study in how music can shape a city.
The Heartbeat of the Scene
ZZZ has always been a place where music is not just sold but celebrated. Thank you to Nate, the store’s founder and steady presence, for creating a home where people can come to discover new sounds, share old favorites, and talk endlessly about records. No matter what is happening in the world, you can walk into ZZZ and know you will be greeted by Nate’s welcoming smile and a conversation that leaves you feeling more connected to music.
Unlike the stereotype of the pretentious record store owner, Nate has always been the opposite. He is approachable, supportive, and community driven. Over the years, ZZZ has not only kept local records in stock, but made sure local bands got paid. It might be the only place in Des Moines where a local band ever actually made money off their music. That is a joke, but only kind of.
Along the way, the store has been the backdrop for countless memories. I will never forget being lucky enough to play one of the rare shows held at ZZZ, or seeing Pookey Bleum open for The Thermals there. Those moments live on in the story of the scene, woven into the fabric of Des Moines music history.
A Case Study in Neighborhood Revitalization
ZZZ’s impact goes beyond culture. It is also a one man economic case study in how a single independent record store can help revitalize a neighborhood.
The first ZZZ location was in Des Moines’ East Village at a time when it was a quiet stretch of warehouses and vacant buildings. Long before it became the shopping hub and entertainment district we know today, ZZZ was there, drawing people into the neighborhood and helping lay the foundation for growth.
Fast forward, and ZZZ’s current home is on Ingersoll Avenue, where it continues to play a leading role. What was once a sleepy corridor is now a destination filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and gathering places. ZZZ was on the front lines of that transformation, proving again that music can be a spark for community renewal.
Maybe cities should take note. Independent record stores do not just preserve culture, they can create it. They do not just keep the past alive, they help write the future of neighborhoods. Des Moines has had 25 years of proof.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Twenty five years is an incredible milestone for any small business, especially one built on vinyl records. In that time, ZZZ has become more than a store. It has become part of the identity of Des Moines, a place where music fans know they will be welcomed, where artists know they will be supported, and where neighborhoods have found new life.
So here is to Nate and ZZZ Records. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the memories. And thank you for showing us how one record store can change a city.
Happy 25th anniversary.
By Patrick Tape Fleming