East Village News

[Ingersoll1978]

Boeckman from the Register reported this tidbit. Great news for the East Village.

The East Village has a new boutique. Amy Hassebrock of Ankeny has created Aimee in the historic 19th-century building at 432 E. Locust St.

Aimee carries designer fashions and accessories for women and girls. Many of the designers are exclusively sold in Iowa at this shop, Hassebrock said.

Some of the designer lines there are Leigh Bantivoglio, Doris Ruth, Red Engine vintage jeans and Catch a Fire Clothing by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's daughter. Aimee also sells Amy Jo Gladstone suede and fur slippers.

The shop has a variety of trendy tops and dresses; jeans; cowboy boots and other footwear, including silk-embroidered and velvet shoes; leg warmers and arm warmers; pajamas; scarves; hats; purses and jewelry for women; and garments and other items for girls. Sizes range from 2 to 14, or small, medium and large for women, and sizes 2 to 6 for girls.

Hassebrock has named a section of her shop Sidney's Corner - after her 5-year-old daughter, Sidney - and stocked it with holiday garments, matching hats and coats, shoes, and other little-girl clothing in ginghams and floral prints.

Hassebrock, who has several years of experience in retail, said she plans to continue to seek out the charming and unusual for her boutique.

Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Call 243-0045.

[dmluvr]

Good deal!!
I have heard that Cedalla Marley has a good line of clothing, and being an offspring of the Music god Bob, can't go wrong!

[Young DSM Social Club]

It should be a unique store. It was open during the East Village promenade, but wasn't really yet finished. Nice to see another shop opening up in the EV.

I went to a meeting last night discussing some of the efforts with the EV and other downtown projects.

Apparently, the downtown organization invited about 40 small businesses already located in the DSM area to an event at Basils in hope of enticing them to also open up a second shop in the East Village. I thought that was a good idea.

[DMRyan]

I just got done talking to one of the owners of Calypso at Valley West Mall this past weekend, in hopes of her setting up a satelite location in East Village. She didn't seem too keen on the idea at this point. She wanted the neighborhood to take off a little bit more first and they wanted to continue to get settled at their new VW Mall location. This type of store would be a natural fit with many of the other stores that have set up shop in the East Vill.

[Young DSM Social Club]

From what I understand, Calypso has really overextended itself with the bigger store in Valley West Mall and their store in Chicago.

I do think it would be a nice fit in the East Village, but certainly think anyone in this forum has the creativity to open up a similarly themed store - I think it has one-of-a-kind items, but is not a one-of-a-kind store (if that makes sense).

[Ingersoll1978]

Very true. It's funny that some of their employees at the Chicago store have no idea about the Des Moines location. I've also been offered a discount from the manager here because I lived in Des Moines. I usually try to buy gifts from there, since it's a Des Moines based store and its right across the street.

[dmluvr]

right on ingersoll...good for you.
and yngdmsocial--that actually did make sense, very good sense!

[DSM celebutante]

It should be a unique store. It was open during the East Village promenade, but wasn't really yet finished. Nice to see another shop opening up in the EV.

I went to a meeting last night discussing some of the efforts with the EV and other downtown projects.

Apparently, the downtown organization invited about 40 small businesses already located in the DSM area to an event at Basils in hope of enticing them to also open up a second shop in the East Village. I thought that was a good idea.

Thats a good idea but at the same time why would you want duplicate businesses there that are already in des moines? Seems to take the point of EV away like Touch Of Italy is opening a 2nd store in the Soho Development but already has one in Valley Junction eww A lot of those cool boutiques that are isolated in West Des Moines should move to the East Village B.U.,Sahars,Girl Stuff, K.Rnee they are acutally cool stores with big name designers that arent at the mall, stores like that florish sitting next each other in shopping districts like EV not in random stripmalls

[mistertwister]

Your logic is sound DSM, but you are forgetting one thing, the customer. Those stores are in West Des Moines because that is where their customers are. Would they travel down to East Village? Perhaps, but if I were a retailer, I wouldn't want to take the chance.

But you are right about locating in a concentrated area as opposed to random locations. It would be great to create a One Pacific Place kind of place with unique retailers.

[DMRyan]

What you speak of is what I think West Glen Town Center will someday become. I'd say their off to a good start of attracting upscale non-chain retail. (minus the big box stuff of course)

[dmluvr]

I really think EV will continue with it's funky vibe and as more residential get's up down there, they'll be some even more nice changes. just go down to east village in 3 or 4 years and I think all of our mouths will drop.
(assuming these residential projects are built and fully occupied)

I think we all agree we would like to have our own 'first place' or 'uptown' groove with lots of unique, NON BIG BOX stores, and funky bars, etc. etc.

[Ingersoll1978]

There is only ONE big box store I'd like to see downtown or in the east village. That is a Borders or Barnes and Noble.

[NOG]

I would like to see a Best Buy downtown so I can play video games over lunch.

[Young DSM Social Club]

I think a Borders/Barnes & Noble would do very well downtown. I am sad that this never took place in the Court Ave. project.

I also think that such a store would do very well on Fleur Drive - ideally in the old Target location. The SW side is an undertapped market.

[dmluvr]

ok, yeah, i could go with just that--best buy and b/n. that would be aight.
but like wal mart? or target? oh my god, I would rather vote republican!
(j/k )

[DSM celebutante]

Your logic is sound DSM, but you are forgetting one thing, the customer. Those stores are in West Des Moines because that is where their customers are. Would they travel down to East Village? Perhaps, but if I were a retailer, I wouldn't want to take the chance.

But you are right about locating in a concentrated area as opposed to random locations. It would be great to create a One Pacific Place kind of place with unique retailers.

Okay you make a point, K.Rnee maybe maybe not more promient dsm women crowd but shaffers is in EV. B.U & Girl Stuff is young LA clothing and Sahars is just kind of up in the air. I think the problem with WDSM retail is it gives illusion. Demographics are wonderful but in reality your dealing with Target loving suburbinites who arent into those clothes. Most of the time these stores are dead inside not exactly best market for a stores trying to push Hugo Boss,Seven Jeans, and new hip LA designers. I think 3 out of 4 would work there since you have Projects Furniture downthere and they do excellent business and they are very far from cheap

[mistertwister]

If those stores are dead in West Des Moines, what do you think it would be like located downtown??? Even with all the synergy that is happening in the East Village, it's not like there is a tremendous amount of traffic and built up capital waiting to be spent. Projects does well down there because it does not rely on foot traffic to keep its business afloat.

I think the only illusion here is yours DSM. Where do you think the money is coming from to keep ANY of the "unique" retail afloat in this city. hint, it isn't from people living downtown. There is nothing illusionary about retail in WDM, it is where the money is, it is where the growth is, and it is where the future of DM is at least for the next couple of decades.

on another note. A Barnes & Noble or Borders would be great downtown or on Fluer, but it will not happen for a long time if ever. I would think about 10-20K new residents living downtown with upper middle class incomes could persuade either of those two to set up shop but they are not pioneers in the retail business and it would have to be part of a much larger project like the court ave station (an we all saw what happened to that one).

[DSM celebutante]

Its not far fetched. Well obviously it isnt working for the stores in Wdsm either. This is DSM ppl will drive to shop or do whatever. Centro=Des Moines Hotspot Located Downtown. Its not like we are talking about the north or eastside. You have two major residential projects going up in the same block and 2 on the otherside or the river that are less than 1mile away. Im not saying Wdsm is a bad place for retail but def not chic big city boutique ambiance those stores need or work towards.

[DMRyan]

Looks like we now know what's going into the space of the Hohberger Building. It's had newspapers on the windows for a while.

Schaffer's to open 2nd store in East Village

The new space, which is near the current location, will cater to teens wanting party and prom dresses.

By DONNELLE ELLER
REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER
December 23, 2004
Schaffer's Bridal plans to open more space in Des Moines' East Village for teenagers and young women shopping for party and prom dresses, owner Kari Smith said Wednesday.

Schaffer's 504, the name of the new space at 504 E. Locust St., will open Sunday across the street from its location at 601 E. Locust St.

The existing shop, above the Noodle Zoo restaurant, will continue to serve bridal and special occasion customers, Smith said.

Smith is moving forward with a new $1 million store in West Des Moines near Jordan Creek Town Center Mall. The 10,000-square-foot building is in the West Glen Town Center and will be near other retailers, including Josephs Jewelry and Sarto, a men's and women's clothing shop.

The West Des Moines shop is expected to open in August.

Smith said the additional East Village location in the Hohberger Building will enable the shop to provide "separate experiences" for shoppers looking for party or prom dresses and bridal customers.

She said the new space - nearly 8,000 square feet - is patterned after a couple of stores she likes in New York City. With 19-foot-high ceilings, "it's a neat space . . . very urban," Smith said

The shop - which formerly housed a Woolworth store - will have nearly 1,000 prom and party dresses.

Smith's business moved last spring from Eighth and Walnut streets, the store's location for more than 50 years.

Smith said she likes the added visibility of a street-level shop, especially as students shop from now until May for prom and formal dresses.

Schaffer's has a temporary lease for the 504 E. Locust space. Smith said customers' reaction to the new store will determine how long she uses it. She said she currently has no plans to have three stores.

[Young DSM Social Club]

This latest Business Record also discusses the plans for 420 E. Locust - this is the new restaurant owned by the owner of Basils (who plans to live above). It's not on-line and I'm too lazy to write it all out, but a snippet ---

"We're also planning a terrace on the roof, where we'll have seating for about 50," Logsdon said. The new roof was built with steel beams to support that use.

SOUNDS COOL!!!!

Also, I drove by the East Village the other day and noticed two new stores:

1) some antique shop that sounds like it has an auction house - it's in that bldg. that use to be Capital City Florist

2) Looked like the space next to the tea house has a little sign that appeared to say something was going in there.

[DMRyan]

I didn't know the Captial City Florist building had already been renovated. The spot next to the Gong Fu Tea House has had newspapers up in the windows for some time now, but I don't think I've heard what's going in.

[NOG]

"We're also planning a terrace on the roof, where we'll have seating for about 50," Logsdon said. The new roof was built with steel beams to support that use.

I wonder if this will have a clear view of the skyline. If so what a cool place this will be to have a drink.

[Young DSM Social Club]

I thought that at first - and that would be very cool - but I don't think it would be possible with the Soho Lofts. Then again, maybe Soho is shorter than I thought. ???

[Ingersoll1978]

That does sound very cool. What a unique feature. That will be a great spot to go for special occasions.

[dmluvr]

Yeah, that will be great. Unfortantly, the soho lofts will block it---even still, to have a terrace nesseled inbetween two buildings can add a neat urban flare. This will be a great place to have a cocktail! (sounds like a future dsm.com meeting!!)

[DMRyan]

Here's the snippet about the Captial city Florist Renovation and the antique business that will open in inside of it

Capital City Antique Gallery is new at 519 Des Moines St., in the building where Capital City Florist was.

Doug McCormick and Jim Adams, who owned the flower shop, opened the 4,000-square-foot antique gallery Jan. 22.

McCormick said he and Adams closed the flower shop - which they owned about 15 years - because competition for floral sales was becoming too great and freeway construction was hampering business.

They moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they discovered a source for the antiques and concocted the idea of opening an outlet for them in Des Moines. They originally planned to create an auction house, but instead they will work with an auction house to sell the items they won't sell in their store.

Furniture should be in ready-to-use condition when purchased. A restorer will repair nicks and scratches. Arrangements can also be made for delivery.

When the weather is warmer, McCormick said they will park a 1971 Citron in front of the gallery. The Citron, a French-made truck, will be used for some deliveries.

The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

It'll be housed in this renovated retro building on the very northern fringe of East Village.

[dogbo]

Has anyone heard anything about what the owners of Gung Fu Tea plan to do with the space next door to them (the old Antler's bar)? How about the bookstore space that closed. What a great location!

[DMRyan]

Did anyone hear about this before this Register snippet? This will be a nice addition to the area and it needs more restaurants and lounges.

Sometime next month, East Village will have another restaurant when The Continental opens at 428 E. Locust, between Zzz Records and Kitchen Collage.

It will be a restaurant and bar, with just more than half of the space devoted to the eating area, owner Kevin DuBay said.

The Continental will serve smaller menu items, so diners can order two or three items for the price of a larger meal in another restaurant, DuBay said.

He also plans to stock a "decent wine selection."

The decor will be have a 1960s-1970s retro look.

The is the first business venture for DuBay, 32, who was most recently an art professor at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Like many other young entrepreneurs I've talked to, he is a native Iowan who is returning home to run his own business.

[NOG]

THis is the first I have heard of this, sounds like a cool place, can't wait to check it out.

[Young DSM Social Club]

I was in Kitchen Collage and overheard a convo with the owner and a woman that a restaurant was interested in moving into that space --- this sounds like it could be cool.

I can't really tell from the description if this will be a late night bar, or more a restaurant. Anybody else have a guess?

I am hoping both --- nice restaurant earlier, a destination bar in the evening.