Happy Home Coffee is located on the ground floor entrance of the Mezzo on Walnut building, with plenty of space to hang out for a bit in the sunlit lobby. (Photo: Mezzo on Walnut) By Libby Nichols Happy Home Coffee has settled into its new location downtown, and it’s doing things a little differen tly. The coffee shop recently opened inside the Mezzo on Walnut, bringing specialty coffee, rotating flavors and its signature cloud tops to more downtown residents, workers and visitors. The concept comes from the owners of Mars Café in the Drake neighborhood, but co-owner Malique Miller says Happy Home was designed to have its own identity. “I don’t believe in making carbon copies of places,” Miller said. “How do you make sure it’s right for that neighborhood?” For Happy Home, that means creating a bright, comfortable space where anyone can grab a coffee, settle in with a laptop or simply hang out for a bit. The space has become more than a coffee shop and instead serves as a third place. The coffee itself is also distinctly Happy Home. The owners operate their own roastery in Des Moines, where they roast the beans served at Happy Home and Mars Café. While the coffee program at Mars leans more traditional, Miller said Happy Home gives the team more room to experiment with specialty coffees and flavors. “We get to play all the time,” he said. That spirit of experimentation carries over to the fall menu. The Pumpkin Pie Cloud Top tastes less like a traditional pumpkin spice latte and more like, well, pumpkin pie. “That’s why it’s called pumpkin pie, not pumpkin spice,” Miller said. “It’s richer and made with real cream cheese. Because of that, it’s not as sweet as one might think, so pairing it with a flavor like brown sugar is perfect.” The shop’s signature cloud tops are another way Happy Home is putting its own spin on coffee. The fluffy, meringue-like toppings, pictured right, add an airy texture and an extra layer of flavor to drinks without overpowering the coffee underneath. They’re also vegan. Miller credits business partner Eliot Barker with the original idea. “I think those cloud tops are genius,” Miller said. “The texture on them is really great.” The team is encouraged to experiment with new flavors, too. Miller said employees are given the freedom to brew up new ideas, test them and learn along the way. “It’s about giving your team the ability to play and be excited about the thing that you’re excited about,” he said. Some flavors may rotate, but others are quickly becoming staples. Salted Honey, a combination of sweet honey and a touch of salt, has developed a particularly loyal following. Miller’s personal favorite is a little off-menu Miel: an iced flat white with honey, cinnamon and salt. “It just feels more balanced for my personal palate,” he said. “I’m a savory-sweet person.” And Happy Home isn’t stopping at coffee. The team is also working toward a grab-and-go market connected to the shop, with snacks, drinks and lunch options. Miller envisions it as an “adult candy store,” a place to find fun, unexpected products alongside everyday grab-and-go options. The market is expected to come together later this fall. Libby Nichols is the creator and founder of Meet DSM, an Instagram account and brand dedicated to showcasing Des Moines. She also writes about local businesses and events for dsm magazine. ...read more read less