Central Emporium

Tracey/Len Tippett

2023-05

Nice tourist trap by the water. Went to the Gardens and they have some really good food. Outdoor seating by the lake and a variety of food to choose from. There were a lot of people here for Labor Day weekend.

Brittany I

2023-08

There are a lot of different clothing stores, a candy shop, two floors and restaurants. A fun place to go and look around at.make sure to check out the Okoboji canning company and the boji kids, located outside!

MGD

2023-07

Central Emporium is a GREAT Okoboji Destnation…Multiple Shops Providing All Lake Visit Clothing & Accessories.Two Restaurants:The Prime is An Excellent Dinner Location with FANTASTIC Views!The Gardens is a FunSports Bar/Restaurant with a Large Outdoor Dining Area OverlookingWest Lake Okoboji.A MUST Stop at Central Emporium is The Sugar Shack where One will find EVERY Chocolate/CandyImaginable…Simply a Fun Okoboji Destination!!!!!!!

keith epperson

2023-07

Diverse set of shops from clothing and apparel to candy to restaurant. Kids always want to visit the candy store as it has retro and unique items. View from the patio bar is awesome. Bring your credit card, it's a bit on the pricey side

regularguy

2024-01

Go back in time in this old historic building on the water. 3 levels with a variety of stores... jewelry, clothing, candy, and a restaurant to explore.

Michael Orr

2024-02

Great shopping, food, drinks, and entertainment! Lake access as well, so pull up on your boat!

Traci Ross

2020-05

Great place to spend a couple hours and pickup some souvenirs. A great place for sweatshirts and gifts. You’ll likely get candy at the Sugar Shack, so bring your pennies.

Fred Bern

2023-10

Had a few drinks at the Gardens along with appetizers. Staff was very friendly. They had a awesome band there called Josh Quirin Band. Loved their music

Legend of the PHASOR

2018-05

Hi point is fantastic. You really should bring big groups to enjoy having top notch dining and aview with your experience. It really has a wow factor that is great for entertaining guests or for an exellent anniversary/ birthday celebrations. They want to stay open thru winter even, so it's better than the tourist traps that pump out flavorless burgers. Great feature menus on weekends.

Chase Studer

2022-05

This place was interesting. The food and shops were amazing don't get me wrong. But the building. Something isn't right about the building. It feels weird, I don't know how to explain it. Something just is not right.

Darwin Goldman

2023-06

The place may be old, but that makes it special and historical. It brings back good memories of the olden days, and at the back is the great Lake Okoboji. A special and amazing place to spend summer with your family. Lots of summer fun to do. I love the place!

Haley H

2023-05

It was a little disappointing. There were mostly clothing stores, which isn't lacking in the whole town. The store at the end was interesting with the kids items, but didn't go into the candy shop. It looked fine from the outside. The restaurant at the very bottom was okay, not great. The restaurant at the top was disappointing. There is no indication that they have to have reservations. We went in, it was pretty much empty, even though it had been open for an hour, and they told us that they were booked up but could seat us 3 hours later... um no. Oh well. I know not to come here again.

Raymond Zellaha

2023-08

It's been a really long time since I've been there, and it was great to see it in such good shape today. There was lots changed in both of us, and both look good, so I'm happy.

Willie Woolery

2020-05

If u want pricey t shirts, expensive chocolate or a drink next to a beautiful lake this is a great place.

Jane Caskey

2023-05

Needs an elevator for those who can't do stairs, like people in wheelchairs. Needs to be wheelchair accessible with ramps, handicapped doors, bigger sidewalk for wheelchairs. Needs handicapped accessible parking. This was not handicapped accessible at all. Shops were a bit on the pricey side. I have heart health issues and had a hard time getting up and down all the stairs due to being hard for me to breathe to do that many stairs to get to the restaurant and some of the shops

Ann Hansen

2023-06

We bought yummy bbq sauce & black bean salsa. We will definitely be back for more someday.

addi

2022-05

a lil pricey and outdated. sometimes you’ll get lucky and find a really cute shirt or souvenir though. luv visiting in the summer, super funn. outside is a lil creepy and outdated but the view from the restaurant downstairs is phenomenal omg

Duane Godfredsen

2022-05

Little understaffed but most places are people need to get back to work

Robin Suing

2018-05

This place definitely has a vintage feel! The shops with clothing and other items are usually priced quite high, but if you catch end of the year deals you can do well! The restaurants are cool with awesome views!

Joshua A

2020-05

Been visiting since I was a kid, and not a whole lot has changed in twenty plus years. The bars/restaurants have cycled a bit as have the store tenants, but the main premise is the same: the bottom bar/restaurant is the day drinker, with bar food and relaxed vibes while the upper restaurant is more dinner oriented, quiet, and upscale.The stores are mostly all tourist type vendors, where you'll find no shortage of clothes to kitchenware with "Okoboji" plastered across it. For the best deals, wait until after labor day weekend, when the prices are slashed between 30-70%.

Phil Parks

2020-05

Had the fish tacos at The Gardens, they were by far the worst I have ever eaten. I would only recommend this place for happy hour (1/2 price) drinks with onion rings. This place used to be great.

Matt C

2023-05

Great little candy shop on the bottom floor!

Dan Zuelke

2020-05

The manager was very helpful! It really showed that she cared about my experience! These are the best moose wear I've ever had. Thank you Heather at the Xtra touch!

Jenni Frost

2019-05

Not only was I followed around EVERY shop in this place, at 1 store, I was even followed into the next shop. I'm sorry I didn't look the part of "shopper with funds." I am here trying to enjoy my life before it drastically changes after the surgery I have scheduled for less than 48 hours from now! I do however, have cash on hand and multiple credit cards to make purchases with at stores that aren't charging $17 for a coozie! The reason I have funds to make purchases with is because I'm not a complete nincompoop who would pay $17 for a coozie! I digress, there was ONE shop who made me feel welcome as a customer so I did make a purchase at her store but be warned, this place and its shop keepers thinks awfully high of themselves and treats potential customers who "don't look the part" like complete and utter scum.

Don Blake

2023-10

Central Emporium is a mini mall of many shops. Clothing, souvenirs, collectables and restaurants.

Brooke S

2021-05

Not a terrible place for local shopping! Lots of history and obviously the candy store is the best store inside! During the fall, they have amazing deals, which is a bonus

Nate Woodard

2021-05

Animal House has some amazing service and sweet fashion pieces for those wanting to look cool and stand out. MadNic's Sport Shop carries product from all 32 NFL teams and a great helpful staff who are fans themselves.

Aaron McCoy

2018-05

Two restaurants, multiple clothing, gift stores and boutiques along with the historically famous sugar shack. Great place to find the perfect gift or souvenier you're looking for.

Mary Brown

2018-05

Most of the shops were just beginning to open for the season. Several of the shop owners/employees were stocking, cleaning and painting the middle of April. It's a very seasonal place and Iowa had a long winter this year.

Tony Vetsch

2013-05

Bar on the lake side of this place was great for the younger crowd. Dancing, drinks, patio on the lake!!! It was busy and very lively. Probably the best place in Boji if you are a young adult and like to get your dance on.