406 Market fills gaps in Adair

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, October 2026

The new 406 Market in Adair is difficult to adequately describe. The best way to experience it is to go see for yourself. Customers can browse gift items, locally made and Iowa-made products, locally produced foods, dairy, meats and other refrigerated foods, flowers, handmade items, seasonal items, décor and more. With such a wide array of offerings, there is bound to be something to catch the eye of most any visitor.

The store is located at 406 Audubon St. in Adair in the downtown business district. As with most buildings, the site has been used in many ways over the years. Owner Melanie Byers shared her knowledge of the building’s history.

“Cory Schafer and his wife had used this building mainly for roofing supplies for a while. Before that, apparently, Fay Pharmacy used it also for storage,” she said. “But I’ve been told, back in the day, this main part was a hardware store, and the other part was a small diner.”

The store’s grand opening was Sept. 19. The business is reminiscent of Hometown Basics in Casey, operated by Stacey Wedemeyer. But Byers explained the differences.

“I went and spoke with Stacey to make sure we’re not carrying the same things. I want it to be different,” Byers said. “She focuses more on clothes, and so I focus more on food. So, it’s really complementary.”

Because opening a storefront can be a risky endeavor, Byers has wisely diversified her career.

“I’ve worked as a software engineer for years, and I’m now an IT project manager, and I do websites for small businesses,” she said. This makes it possible for Byers to work on other tasks at times when no customers are in the store.

Byers noted that her husband, Dustin, has a degree in marketing, which helps in her new venture. She explained how the couple ended up in the Adair area.

“I found a house we liked, and I said to my husband that we’re between the moms. His mom is in Milo (south of Des Moines), and mine is in Council Bluffs,” she said. “It’s also on the way to Boone, which is where he works. He drives there every other day.”

Byers noted that Adair offers the best of both worlds. The community is obviously a small town, but its location right on Interstate 80 makes it easy to zip into Des Moines or Council Bluffs/Omaha for the various things that only larger cities offer.

For Byers, this is her first venture in running a store, but she has plenty of retail experience.

“I’ve had my own business for a few years; I have not operated a retail store before. But I worked in retail for a long time when I was younger, going through college and anytime I needed a side gig,” Byers said.

One unique offering in the store is Amish-made wooden baskets and similar items.

“Most of our baskets are done by an Amish fellow from southern Iowa. We wrote letters back and forth when I was trying to see if I could sell his woodwork items here. He makes baskets, furniture — basically whatever wooden items you can imagine,” she said.

Asked about the most common feedback she has heard from customers at the new store, Byers said she hears gratitude that customers can buy what they need close to home.

“People have been very appreciative that now they can get fresh produce without leaving Adair,” she said.

Looking to the future, Byers hopes to begin offering delivery options so she can bring needed items to customers unable to come to the store.

The 406 Market offers locally grown beef from BC Angus. Byers noted that she is working to add more meat options. The challenge is to find producers that have the correct license or certification to allow sales at her store. She has become fluent in Iowa’s “cottage law” and other legal requirements for her business.

“Besides the BC Angus beef, we just got a pork and chicken supplier,” she said.

In addition to the store in the front half of the building, Byers has plans for the back room, which she hopes to open before the end of the year. The space is intended to be an option for those looking to use it for family gatherings, graduation and similar parties, and other small groups.

“Since we call this store the 406 Market, the back area is going to be called the 406 Event Space,” Byers said. “We’re working on opening a separate entrance. We’ll have capacity for about 50 people, so it will be for smaller events. I’m planning on a $50 rental fee. It has a full kitchen and bathroom, and we’re working on obtaining more tables.”

Byers shared another offering.

“The Adair News actually moved their copier over here because they don’t have space for it anymore. So, we are also making and selling copies for people. It’s good to have that option for people,” she said.

Another service Byers offers is not aimed at profit but simply at helping serve the needs of the local community by allowing space for local nonprofit and/or school groups to display informational resources.

“If a school or organization wants to do a fundraiser, I’m trying to keep space available, so they can have a space for free,” she said. “I want to promote that as much as possible.”

Store hours are weekdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. With a wide and diverse array of products and services, the 406 Market is worth a visit.