Valley Junction Starts Off 2013 with the Addition of a Pair of Specialty Businesses

Two new businesses are relocating or expanding to West Des Moines, filling storefronts that open and close as part of the ebb and flow of a specialty shopping district, the director of the Historic Valley Junction Foundation said.

Le Gourmet, a Clive business offering kitchenware, gadgets and specialty foods, such as teas, coffees, chocolates and olive oils, is moving into a prime space at 201 Fifth St., said Jim Miller, the foundation’s director.

The new location is one of the best in the district, he said. It was the first home of West Bank and the original vaults are still in place. Le Gourmet will be in place by mid-February, owner Lori Olsen said.

The Funky Zebras is opening its third store in the Des Moines metro area in March, moving into a space at 221 ½ Fifth St. Owner Cheryl Hayes opened her first store in Ankeny in 2011, then expanded to Urbandale last April. The store offers trendy women’s clothing, shoes and accessories and caters to women 30 and older. It also carries select fashions in plus-size.

Both businesses fit well in a boutique district like Historic Valley Junction and carry the added bonus of bringing a customer base with them.

“I am not Pollyanna, but I am optimistic that the businesses coming in will have a strong following,” Miller said. “They are established businesses and people know their names. That makes a huge difference.”

Valley Junction has been stung recently with Little Padded Seats’ defection to Valley West Mall and the closings of longtime mainstay The Lagniappe, Atherton House, and a few others, and still has properties available for lease.

Miller said the number of available properities is “a bit more” than in the past, but said “we’re always in that 80 to 90 percent occupancy range.”

“This is the cycle,” Miller said.

The historic district is a national Main Street award winner. Last year, it earned the prestigious Great American Main Street Award.