East Village News

[dogbo]

Why are the Christmas lights in the EV still lite up on the trees at night?

[Mastermind]

Sadly, I've heard that Urban Belly is closing. Not clear to me if just personal reasons or a drop off in business ...

I think the business is for sale.

[Ingersoll1978]

Sadly, I've heard that Urban Belly is closing. Not clear to me if just personal reasons or a drop off in business ...

I think the business is for sale.

The owner is having another child and wants to be at home with them. She will still keep her online store and do monthly trunk shows in leiu of a retail location.

[DSMSiren]

Hi all! *WARNING: Shameless self-promotion plug to follow*

Hopefully by now you've heard my book "East Village" is available. http://www.amazon.com/Village-Images-America-Sarah-Oltrogge/dp/0738577421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267565710&sr=8-1

You can find it at these locations:
The Book Store
eden
Plain Talk Books & Coffee
Pure Paper
Village Bean
Beaverdale Books Llc
Carriage House Gift Shop (Terrace Hill)
State Historical Museum / The Museum Store
Walgreens--4555 Fleur Dr.
Walgreens--7000 Douglas Ave.

Plus Borders and Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.

_______________________________________________
More Info
New from Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is East Village by local author Sarah C. Oltrogge. In over 200 vintage photographs, Oltrogge takes readers on a nostalgic journey down memory lane.

A little neighborhood in the shadow of the state capitol, East Village in downtown Des Moines used the statehouse dome as a backdrop to establish itself in what was low, mostly unusable land along the Des Moines River. Just after the dawn of the 20th century, the neighborhood burgeoned with blue-collar industry and corner stores while boasting the convenient use of railroads for industrial development and travel.

It seemed to be in competition with the west side where the insurance industry and wealthy neighborhoods blossomed on high ground. By midcentury, though, East Village suffered as a mobile population chose suburban shopping malls over traditional mom-and-pops. By 1990, buildings were in disrepair and crime was increasing. A group of dedicated individuals came together and with assistance and cooperation from the city brought East Village back into focus with a clear urban identity that sparked a renewed sense of pride.

A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Historic East Village, Inc. so that it may continue its mission to lead the preservation, support and development of the East Village community.

“It is important to me to give back to the area that gave me so much assistance in my research,” Oltrogge said. “I think people will be as surprised as I was to see the developmental journey of the area between 1908 and 2008.”

Since 2000, Sarah C. Oltrogge has worked for the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, a state agency housed in the State Historical Museum of Iowa located in East Village. She is a former board member and president of Historic East Village, Inc., and is involved in historic preservation efforts across Des Moines.

________________________________________________________
I'll be at Barnes & Noble, 4550 University, this Saturday, March 6 from 2-4 p.m. for a talk and book signing. I'll also be at Beaverdale Books March 28 at 1 p.m. for a talk and signing. Stop by and say hi if you're out!

[Ingersoll1978]

I can't wait to see it Sarah! It's waiting for me at the store (as it arrived after I left for Hawaii). Now when does the book about I-235 come out?

[dogbo]

Congrat's Sarah! I'm looking forward to picking up a copy.

[DMRyan]

It was reported in the Register that the Vitae Design Collective, which has locally designed clothing and jewlery is moving to the East Village in the spot where Urban Belly closed up shop. Not a bad land for the East Village, but a minor blow towards keeping any stable tenants in the revolving door of cheap retail space in the building at 18th and Grand. I can't keep up with the business openings in this old building fast enough before they've already closed their doors. It seems to be serving as a retail incubator space, which may be something that is needed downtown.

[DMRyan]

Work is progressing on the long-vacant 3 story building on East Walnut Street. Take a look at the transformation so far:
Pre-Renovation


Now


And the building renovated for office space next door.

[dogbo]

Nice transformation for that little 1/2 block.

[hawk61401]

Des Moines: Hell, yes. This girl knows how to dress: http://backstage.blogs.com/unscripted/2 ... aa2af9970c

[Cmuse]

This is straying off the topic of this thread (the rebirthed block in East Village), but since this side topic is mentioned in the link Hawk just posted, I can't resist The Chinese pizza place (Fong's) mentioned in that link, specifically. I know, horrors to pizza purists (never liked that greasy, cheesy New York-style pizza -- always preferred the Chicago deep-dish or all the gourmet and whole-grain makeovers of pizza since way back in the '70s). So I love the concept of Chinese (or Thai or Vietnamese) pizza. Besides, the restaurant is in the old King Ying Low, which had been around for over 100 years when it finally closed -- easily one of DSM's oldest continuously operating restaurants. I was telling people here in L.A. how I'd found a restaurant in my hometown that was like a piece of San Francisco's Chinatown transplanted to the MIdwest -- in a 1940s time warp. They didn't believe me. And now it's a fusion restaurant. Nothing like it in L.A. yet -- at least not in that price range.

[hawk61401]

I was telling people here in L.A. how I'd found a restaurant in my hometown that was like a piece of San Francisco's Chinatown transplanted to the MIdwest -- in a 1940s time warp. They didn't believe me.

Thanks for all of that, Cmuse. These are the things that visitors to our city remember and take with them, just like the actor on the backstage blog. "The pizza place even stayed open until 2AM on week days!! In Des Moines!! Places in bigger cities like Denver wouldn't even stay open that late on Tuesdays."

As most visitors have done and the many blogs that I have read, there wasn't a mention about something like the skywalk system. It's the t-shirt shop, the pizza place, the coffee joint type of things that impress the visitors.

And speaking of pizza, coffee, and dining .... I wish the EV would bring a little more of it outside to the street, sidewalk, courtyard, terrace, patio. We need something with fantastic hidden gardens in the back.

[hawk61401]

Before there was an East Village in the early 1950's , there were billboards all over it and downtown Des Moines. Note the double decker on the north side of the library and more directly across the river. A proposal by U.S. Senator Richard Neuberger in 1955 marked the first legislative attack on outdoor advertising at the federal level. His amendment was defeated. Outdoor advertising was powerful, in your face, beauty be damned. National poster sales reached $114.5 million in 1955.



photo attributed to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eridony/3865391953/

[SFO2DSM]

OK, stupid question coming here, but the domed building in the rear left of the picture: Isn't that the Supreme court building? Shouldn't that be to the right of the capital? The negative isn't reversed because text is going the right direction.
[quote="hawk61401"]Before there was an East Village in the early 1950's , there were billboards all over it and downtown Des Moines. Note the double decker on the north side of the library and more directly across the river. A proposal by U.S. Senator Richard Neuberger in 1955 marked the first legislative attack on outdoor advertising at the federal level. His amendment was defeated. Outdoor advertising was powerful, in your face, beauty be damned. National poster sales reached $114.5 million in 1955.

[DMRyan]

That's the Ola Babcock Miller Building, which is still there. It's hosts the State Library and other offices and used to serve as the Historical Building until the newer one was completed in the late 1980's.

[dogbo]

OK, stupid question coming here, but the domed building in the rear left of the picture: Isn't that the Supreme court building? Shouldn't that be to the right of the capital? The negative isn't reversed because text is going the right direction.

Plus the Supreme Court Building is less than 10 years old.

[SFO2DSM]

See, I told you it was a stupid question. I've only been here 3 1/2 years. Thanks for clarifying dogbo and DMRyan.

OK, stupid question coming here, but the domed building in the rear left of the picture: Isn't that the Supreme court building? Shouldn't that be to the right of the capital? The negative isn't reversed because text is going the right direction.

Plus the Supreme Court Building is less than 10 years old.

[Ingersoll1978]

Anyone know what is going on with the Downtown Church on E 5th/Locust (I believe it's 504 E Locust)? Their signs are gone...and they have been holding their services at the Capitol Room around the corner the last few Sundays. Personally, I hope the guy who owns that building fixes it up and gets a retailer in there. The church does nothing for foot traffic during the week or on Saturdays.

[CBurg]

The building did not pass a fire inspection.

[Ingersoll1978]

Simply for Giggles is moving a block east on Locust in July. Tanya is super excited about the move...and I'm happy we'll have another retailer on our block (with Jett and Monkey's)!

Here is the press release:

(Des Moines, Iowa – May 17, 2010) – Simply for Giggles, a Des Moines-based children’s furniture, bedding, accessories and gifts store, today announced plans to move into a bigger location one block east from their present location. The new location is located at 510 East Locust, across from Sticks. The move will take place in July 2010.

Simply for Giggles’ owner Tanya Keith said the new location will triple the current square footage, and will include a meeting space for moms and kids groups, parties, events and classes. Keith will also be expanding the store’s product offering to include a wider variety of cribs and strollers, as well as having a special section for locally produced gifts and accessories.

“This new space will allow us to do so much more of my vision for Simply for Giggles as not just a store, but a resource for the parenting community. You’ll see education and entertainment, as well as free meeting space for independent groups.” said Keith, who opened in the East Village 5 years ago in July.
The new space will have opportunity for community sponsorship in the education space, and will provide a venue for community educators to share their knowledge with Central Iowa parents. “We want there to be something happening every week, if not every day in our space.” said Keith.

Simply for Giggles will be updating their website www.simplyforgiggles.com, and Facebook page www.facebook.com/simplyforgiggles throughout the summer with details of the move, events, and details on community space sponsorship, or interested parties can contact Keith directly by calling the store at 515-288-5437.

ABOUT SIMPLY FOR GIGGLES
Founded in 2003 by Des Moines designer Tanya Keith, Simply for Giggles promises customers “rooms as unique as your child, and great gifts for children from birth to school age” offering everything from furniture and bedding to hand-painted murals and interior design services, as well as unique gifts with an eco-friendly focus. For more information, visit www.simplyforgiggles.com.

[DMRyan]

Wow, this is the most movement in a negative direction the commercial space in the SoHo Lofts has seen since it opened in 2004. At least the businesses are moving elsewhere in the East Village and not closing up shop or relocating to West Glen Town Center or something.

[Mastermind]

what is the difference in the lease rates?

[dogbo]

Wow, this is the most movement in a negative direction the commercial space in the SoHo Lofts has seen since it opened in 2004. At least the businesses are moving elsewhere in the East Village and not closing up shop or relocating to West Glen Town Center or something.

In the end, it appears Soho is doing fine. Look at Raygun (aka...Smash). They've now taken over three commecial spaces. It sounds like there is a replacement for Village Bean once they move out.

[Ingersoll1978]

I've heard Salon W will expand into the space that Simply for Giggles is leaving. There won't be any vacancies. From what I can tell, you can get a lease for $10 a square foot in other buildings. Some of these retailers in Soho are paying $20. Big difference. Most of the original leases in Soho are expiring, so that's why we're seeing a shift. Also, it's hard to expand your business in these spots when there is no space available (Simply for Giggles will have 3x the space they have now). Only Urban Belly has closed though (for personal reasons).

[Ingersoll1978]

Work continues on 309 E. Walnut...

[DMRyan]

Nice to see this small renovation project moving forward so well. This has probably been the quietest the East Village has been for construction since our downtown boom started early in the decade. There's nothing else immediately in the pipeline for East Village right now either.

[Ingersoll1978]

Walked by there today...there are now windows up on the second and third floors. The transformation of this building is amazing.

[dogbo]

Another prime building appears to be ready for the taking in the EV. The auto body shop that was located just south of the building that houses Alba has relocated and is for sale by owner (according to the sign on door). As the EV has progressed, that business has looked more and more out of place. Nice to see they've moved to a more logical location as the building has some real potential given some TLC.

[DMRyan]

Cool new pizza restaurant opening up in East Village, in the building of the former Basil Prosperii. Sounds like you can get some off the wall toppings and finally a place in the East Village to get gelato (or any type of ice cream for that matter).

Bagni di Lucca pizzeria just opened this week at 407 E. Fifth St. in Des Moines. The owner is Steve Logsden — who also has Lucca restaurant around the corner and down the street.

The toppings are also a highlight in this place. Look for something a little different, such as thin-sliced Yukon Gold potatoes and other vegetable toppings, or the pizza topped with Vienna sausage and french fries.

Calzones, salads and gelato, a smooth dessert similar to a creamy ice cream are also served. Gelato flavors include dark chocolate and pistachio and a third featured flavor such as roasted banana or cappuccino.

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/ ... -di-lucca/

[wmjindsm]

I see in the Register that the old sign on the American Pumbling Supply building will be coming down and given to the State Historic Society. I guess the building cannot support it.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... tro-market