White Pumpkin Studio, a gift shop located at 102 E. Main St. in West Branch, has opened a second location in Coralville.
The new location at the Iowa River Landing – 920 E. Second Ave. Suite 150 – will have many of the same favorites as the West Branch location, owner Shannon Penisten said.
“My main goal with IRL was to have the same vibe, same experience every time that you come in,” she said, adding that there will be a few new items added to their bath and body line, along with an expansion of their drinkware and bar offerings.
“We have a full dedicated cocktail section, which is new for us. We’ve really expanded that,” she said.
Ms. Penisten opened her storefront in West Branch in June 2020 before moving to a larger location in May 2023, operating it alongside her mom, Beth Koppes.
“We pride ourselves on (having) very unique gifts and things you can’t find everywhere else,” Ms. Pensiten said.
The store offers gift items spanning every age from birth to adult and carries party supplies, stationary, seasonal items, puzzles, games, gourmet food items, jewelry and all manner of gifts in home fragrance, kitchen and dining, pop culture, bath and body, and pets.
“We have everything from the card to the gift to the wrap, so it’s full service. You could come in and just quickly grab what you need and head off to your celebration right then and there,” Ms. Penisten said.
Since opening five years ago, White Pumpkin has gained recognition beyond West Branch. In 2024, the gift shop took gold for both best boutique and best gift shop in the shopping category of Iowa City Community’s Choice Awards. In 2025, Greater Iowa City, Inc. presented the gift shop with the Spirit of Rural Prosperity award at the organization’s A Toast to Business award ceremony on May 1.
“I was not expecting that by any means,” Ms. Penisten said. “It’s cool that people care about what we’re doing here…it’s just kind of nice to know people care and appreciate it as much as we do.”
A new chapter in Coralville
Several years ago, Ms. Penisten was contacted about a storefront opening at the Iowa River Landing but didn’t feel the timing was right to open an additional location. When the opportunity presented itself a second time recently, “There was no hesitation,” she said. “It just kind of fell into my lap.”
Along with an expansion of current product lines, the Iowa River Landing location will offer a create-your-own-fragrance bar, set to launch at the store’s grand opening Oct. 18.
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“You pick up to four different scents you want to mix together, and we will bottle it up for you. And you can have a signature scent (in) rollerball perfume to take with you,” Ms. Penisten said, adding that she envisions it to be a fun activity for celebrations like birthdays or team gatherings.
Like the West Branch location, she envisions the Coralville storefront to be a place that is “very fun, happy.”
“I want it to feel like you’re walking into your best friend’s house (where) you’re greeted warmly, and you’re able to just wander and explore the space and the items, and be inspired by certain things to gift – (for) either loved ones or yourself – especially the holidays coming up,” she said.
White Pumpkin is aiming for a soft opening on Friday, Sept. 26 with a grand opening Oct. 18, followed by a ribbon cutting on the 21st. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
