MOVING MONTH: Two highly respected Des Moines area department stores moved to new locations this past month (November 2022).

Views of a Farm Boy--Dedicated to promote Iowa agriculture and Iowa values

Robert Vaughn--Urbandale, Iowa  EMAIL:   vaughnrobert@me.com

Retail business is fickle and there have been a lot of changes in recent years. I remember when Younkers (that is where I bought all my clothes), Sears (that is where I bought all my tools), and K Mart (that is where we bought miscellaneous items) all had a powerful presence in our area. Now they are all gone. Many of the traditional department stores are fighting for life. I liked these places and I do not do well with change. That is why I was very happy when I discovered it was MOVING MONTH for two of our Greater Des Moines retail department stores. Von Maur is bucking the trend by moving in the former Younkers space at enclosed Jordan Creek Town Center. Kohl's is staying at Merle Hay Mall, but opting for a free standing store adjacent to the under cover area. I am thankful for their loyalty and confidence in the mid-Iowa community.

VON MAUR! Talk about milestones! This great Iowa based company has gone through name changes, economic uncertainties and many other obstacles since they opened their first store in Davenport, Iowa, in 1872. Here they are--celebrating a 150 year anniversary by relocating their West Des Moines store to Jordan Creek Town Center. Some people say indoor shopping centers are a thing of the past and department stores can't survive--then this happened! Von Maur opened this beautiful new store November 05, 2022. They seem to do things right and who knows--Von Maur may be an important part of the Iowa scene 150 years from now!

This is what the Lord says; "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will seek me and come and pray with me and I will listen to you".  (NIV) (Jeremiah 29: 10-12).

KOHL'S!  Another great department store is optimistic about Iowa. Kohl's (Right) moved to this new location November, 2022. This was a short distance move. Kohl's has been an important anchor store for Merle Hay Mall, but their space was in demand for another use. That was an easy fix! They built this beautiful free standing building in a space formerly occupied by Sears (Left). This new building is just a stones throw from the enclosed mall. In this age of technology it is easy to shop from home. As for me--I like real stores with real people. I don't shop much anymore, but when I need new Levis I will go to Kohl's, try them on before I buy, and purchase them from a real person. I will go home with a smile on my face and new pants on my bod!

March 2021

November 2022

Kohl's New Store Completed

Sears Old Store Demolished