As a former employee, the store looks nothing like it used to. After Covid, none of employees were…read morecalled back to work. Two of my coworkers called to go back to work. The Funroom is not fun, Ben Nye makeup is sparse, magic tricks are few and far between, and the moral because of the owner is awful. Those who are there are somewhat disgruntled and absolutely no raises at all. I worked there 11 years and a 50 cent raise..its not stocked like it was at all..its just not fun anymore.

Omg! THE place for your dancers needs, tights, leotards, ballet , toe shoes tap shoes...you get the…read moreidea! If you need a costume for a theme party, Halloween...a Santa suit? This where you go! Locally owned so that means they know how to greet everyone who walks in the door! You can spend as little or much as you want! From wigs to full costumes or you can even rent you some great things. Nothing is beyond your imagination! You can even get a Princess crown!

Wow. What a selection! They have things I didn't know I needed. The staff was also kind and…read morefriendly.

I'm a long distance backpacker. I have a few things from a company called Arcteryx, and was looking…read morefor an authorized dealer. I went to their website and this shop popped up as a dealer location. I was intrigued since I hadn't heard of it before. I have to admit that when I first walked in, I thought I was in the wrong place. The front of the store isn't really outdoor gear. I lot of it is women's casual clothing. Then I started noticing things in the back. They have a pretty extensive collection of Darn Tough wool socks. Many of the styles were limited edition ones that I've never seen anywhere else. They had some other outdoorsy clothes in the back. I was impressed with the amount of Marmot items they carry. There were some outdoor gear items in a small section in the very back, but it doesn't seem to be a big part of their business. One of the items that stood out to me was the Sea to Summit Aeros inflatable travel pillow. I wish II'd had one of those for my flights to and from Hawaii earlier this year. The cost is similar to a regular travel pillow, but it's inflatable so it doesn't take up much space when you aren't using it. I asked about the Arcteryx gear. They said Arcteryx doesn't work with small shops like them anymore. It isn't their fault that they're still listed as a dealer, but I was disappointed about it. However, I expect I'll head back in a month or so when they get their winter stock in. I suspect they'll have some good winter jackets and gloves, and I really want to take a closer look at all the Darn Tough styles they had. Wool socks are so good for keeping your feet warm in the winter. And I just might pick up an Aeros pillow while I'm there, too.

Back Country started in Ames but it has been a classic cornerstone of the Beaverdale landscape…read moresince I've been alive! Every time I go in I am greeted warmly and quickly. It doesn't matter if you're just browsing or shopping with intent. The employees are intuitive! For example, just today I was looking at a table of bags, clearly doing a bit of comparing and a store clerk was there just as soon as I needed her. She even offered to check the contents of the next shipment of this bag because she could tell maybe I wasn't finding exactly what I wanted. After a quick check, she came back with the information. Though I wasn't sure which color or size I wanted, she did not pressure me into a sale. She was very pleasant and helpful. I've also been in with my big family before and let me tell you, the employees are very patient with indecisive shoppers. Not only are they patient, they're helpful. A few fun things about the store--you don't have to be a big outdoors person to appreciate the merchandise. I am certainly not found out on the trails many weekends, but there are a lot of unique and easy to wear offerings that fit perfectly into my wardrobe. Also, there's a "gear room" in the back of the store and I always have fun just perusing all of the crazy camping gear and gadgets. All in all, yes, much of their inventory might be found at big box sports stores in Des Moines, but this is a local business and that's what seals the deal for me.

I've walked by this place numerous times but never walked in. Saw something cool in the window and…read moredecided what the hell. This place is super cool!! Neat t-shirts, flannels, and costume jewelry. Everything from new to used. Even saw a flask that looks like sun screen, I wished I'd had at riot fest. They even have costumes for Halloween or that "who done it" mystery party you might have gotten invited to. If you're into quality inexpensive clothes give theses guys a try.

I love Fleet Farm! Their motto is if they don't have it, you don't need it! Truly a great place to…read morespend quite a bit of time shopping Everything from Kitchen, where to seasonal items, hardware, toys, hunting, clothing, etc. Fantastic service and always greeted with a friendly smile. Some amazing deals. Complimentary coffee and popcorn to keep you energized while you shop Join their perks and enjoy additional savings from already great prices. Savings includes special deals on gas where offered. Come here before the holidays and check out all the cooking items. I don't think I've ever seen such a variety of nuts, Holiday candies, etc. ready for making trays for Christmas gifts. I always stop by when I'm in the area.

Fleet farms has everything you need. It's a one stop shop. They have farm stuff, food stuff,…read morehousehold stuff, recreation stuff, pet stuff and more! Immediately after parking (in a handicap spot) we were greeted by an employee asking us if we needed a motorized scooter because they offer it here to help make shopping easier. The biggest reason for coming here was to help socialize my dog (and to do some dog treats shopping). They are pet friendly here (I called ahead of time just to confirm) so I was able to walk freely with my puppy. All the employees are so friendly and my pup loved being petted by them. The dog treats we bought were of a popular brand name and reasonably priced. We will definitely be back!

This is basically a building for mall walkers. If you're going to mall walking, I would suggest a…read morewarm coat and gloves. no rent equals no money to pay for heat. I think there are about 7 stores still open. not sure how they are still making it. It's a very sad situation.

This used to be one of my favorite malls...and it still is to a certain extent. I keep crossing my…read morefingers and praying for a revival. With Younkers and Von Maur exiting the only anchor store left is JCPenney. And JCPenney isn't what it used to be... Every now and then Valley West Mall lands a gem like Blaze Pizza and recently European Taste that sticks, but for the most part it seems to be a dying environment. I don't feel the drive-in or carnivals are a good idea. It seems to bring problems to the area that those of us who live in the Clive West Des Moines area don't need. Personally I feel it's more trouble than it's worth. Some businesses may benefit from the people it brings to the West side. Valley West Mall doesn't have the quality of a food court that Merle Hay Mall does... Though foodie traffic would probably go a long way in bringing this mall back. While I now spend more time and money shopping at Jordan Creek and the Outlets in Altoona...I continue to shop at Valley West Mall when I can. I'm rooting for a comeback!

Nice store and clean. It's well organized with its layout. Staff is helpful. They sometimes offer…read moreteacher discounts when it's back to school. You can get some nice looking stuff for cheap.

We spent an entire afternoon exploring Jordan Creek Town Center and it's easy to see why it's a…read morego-to destination. The layout is modern, clean, and inviting with plenty of natural light, walkways by water features, and a comfortable mix of anchor stores and specialty shops. Parking was plentiful (though busy on peak days) and signage made getting in and out manageable. The mall features over 110 popular retailers including Apple, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Sephora, lululemon, and more. We popped into Apple to check out the latest devices, browsed through Anthropologie for a few gift ideas, and also stopped by H&M for casual wear. The variety here means there's something for everyone in the family. The food options were solid too. The food court has familiar favorites; for a more upscale break, restaurants with patios overlooking the lake offer a more relaxing atmosphere. The staff everywhere we encountered them was courteous and helpful, especially in stores where we asked questions. The mall is well maintained, restrooms are clean, and common areas feel well cared for. We appreciated the amenities like stroller or wheelchair rental, device charging stations (outside Apple), and multiple restroom throughout. One thing to be mindful of: some mallgoers report that kiosk vendors by walkways can be overly enthusiastic--if you're not in the mood to be approached, it helps to keep moving. Overall, Jordan Creek Town Center offers a top-tier mall experience in the Des Moines area. Great mix of stores, nice ambiance, and strong amenities make it worth the visit.

This mall had so many stores, such a treat considering how many malls around the US that are…read morestruggling. Lots of people on Saturday. I like that Von Maur was here, it's one of my favorite department stores.