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Des Moines is about to be one step closer to Chicago or New York City.

This summer, Jim and Judy Ellis will start horse-drawn carriage rides downtown through Ellis Acres Carriage Service. The Des Moines City Council voted in favor of the service at its May 19 meeting and now the owners and city manager’s office are working out the details of where the rides will be and any other regulations.

The carriage rides will likely run evenings between Court Avenue and the East Village, and the carriage can be rented for weddings and other special events. The Ellises’ office will be based in Winterset, where they’ll also offer rides around the square.

The concept started while the couple was looking for a “fun retirement project,” that would get Jim Ellis out of the floor covering business after 23 years. Judy Ellis was searching online for horse equipment for their farm and found a horse carriage for sale on eBay. They have the carriage and draft horse ready to go and are working out the final business details. They expect to begin the service on July 1.

“It’s a job, but it will be fun,” Judy Ellis said.