West Des Moines’ Water Tower Place Lands New Tenant

The chain store buybuy Baby will be occupying a space in Water Tower Place, 4100 University Ave., previously occupied by Border’s Books. With the new tenant, the strip mall is fully occupied, according to Buyers Realty, which manages the property.

Chris Shires, development, planning and inspection manager for the city of West Des Moines, said the 25,900-square-foot space is being remodeled. The store is expected to open later this spring.

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The store offers a full array of nursery and children’s goods, from name-brand furniture to car seats, nursing supplies, name-brand toys and learning and development products, clothing, and seasonal items. The store also offers an online gift registry and home delivery, including furniture delivery and assembly.

For the convenience of nursing mothers, the store also will also have a private feeding room, according to buybuy Baby’s website.

Shires said Water Tower Place is a prime location which will be home to Whole Foods’ first entree into Iowa. Whole Foods sells natural and organic products, and also supports local food systems and initiatives.

The buybuy Baby chain has 60 stores, and this will be the first one in Iowa. Founded in 1996, buybuy Baby stores was acquired in 2007 by Bed, Bath & Beyond, which operates a store in West Des Moines at 6805 Mills Civic Pkwy. in Jordan Creek Town Center and on University Avenue in Clive.

Other anchor tenants in Water Tower Place include Best Buy, whose downsizing is making room for Whole Foods, Dress Barn, Famous Footwear, Guitar Center, Marshalls Department Store, Office Depot, Home Depot, Sports Authority, Valley West Uniforms and World Market.