west end architectural salvage

My wife and I visited over the recent three day weekend. This IS an architectural salvage store. Not your typical antique/flea market store. If you're into old windows, doors, gables, and such than this is well worth the visit. They also have some really neat furniture they created from various pieces and if you're looking for an interesting old ceiling light this is the place! We bought a ceiling light that now proudly hangs in our family room. I think the prices are a little on the high side. They do sell some drinks and muffins I think but we weren't there to eat. Figure about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to cover the four floors. We actually bought our lamp from Don who's the owner, because there wasn't a price tag on it. Nice to see that even with a TV show he seemed just like he is on the show.

You can find anything you ever wanted at West End Salvage, from tiny items to large. It's worth looking around on all the floors at the salvaged and re-purposed items.

Episode of this TV series was being shot as we left and we were able to watch the takes and retakes. Building itself consisted of four floors packed with lots of mostly pricey salvage items turned into home decorations for inside or outside. Pretty good crowd for a weekday afternoon; friendly greeters on first floor and working staff members coming in and out of meeting rooms. Building was hot at times, especially on top two floors. Building has elevator but most of us walked up and down narrow metal stairs to see one surprise after another. Coffee shop located near entrance.

You will see things you have never seem before. You will want things. Things will cost you. Fun to see and they will negotiate. You can always drink coffee to.

Our stay in Clive, IA, let us take a look at this wonderful old shop in downtown Des Moines. We happened to be there on a day they were filming for their TV show. Even though they were filming on the second and third floors, we were still allowed to browse to our hearts content. Unlike some stores where you feel uncomfortable touching anything, the folks at West End encouraged us to "dig in and find something great!" We met Don and passed Hal in the stairwell. Even though they are "stars" on TV, they were friendly and helpful. The other workers were friendly and helpful as well. We had a great time, saw amazing variety in their store and were awed by the clever repurposing of their salvaged items. The only thing I found wrong was that they are in Iowa, not Texas!

I am visiting a friend who has lived here for years. She didn't know about the TV show but as a fan, I had to go see it. She has been telling me how nice everyone is in Iowa and the staff here are a great example if it. There are lot of very interesting things to see. It gets the creative juices flowing. I wish I lived closer so I could easily take a few things home. Great event space too for a party or reception.

Well worth a visit while in Des Moines. A unique array of re-purposed antiques. Don is a neat person, as real and fun as he is on the show.

Interesting place. Originally thought it was a place to buy old or salvaged pieces from which you could make new items yourself, but most of what we saw was already rebuilt items. Lots of older items and random pieces. Fun place to stop by and browse for awhile, even if it's not usually your kind of thing. Even a coffee shop on the first level, which is always a plus, and enhances the experience in my opinion.

We walked to this place from our hotel. It is in a really neat old building filled with really neat architectural stuff. IT is a mixture of almost everything, from antique pillars to vintage furniture, to old light fixtures. While you walk around the three levels of antiques, you can buy something to eat and drink at their little cafe. Overall a great place to kill time or to shop for unique antiquities. One word of advice; if you feel like you might like to buy something, a pickup or trailer would be good to bring with you.

In August 2012, we purchased a lakeside town home out of state and began shopping for furniture. Because we wanted cottage style furniture that was rugged yet stylish, we shopped several local and out of town furniture stores. While we found what we were needing at these stores, we still needed (2) coffee style occasional tables for two couches, a large bench seat for our dining table, and items to hang on the wall to blend in with our cottage style decor. We met with Don Short, the owner of West End Architectural Salvage, Des Moines, Iowa, who sat down with us and helped us finalize plans for customizing our furniture needs. Don gave us a price that matched our budget and the finished products turned out very nice. Rugged, yet stylish, colors match our decor, and many people who visit us at our lakeside town home are impressed with the look and quality of the finished product. Kudo's to Don and his team for delivering on our needs and doing so in a professional and courteous manner.

We had a one-night stopover in Des Moines a few years ago, on a Christmas trip, and had stopped in to see this place. Architectural salvage is something both my husband and I are really into, and this place is like a dream. Tons and tons of cool stuff!! This trip, we wanted to see more of Des Moines, so we had a 2-night stay. However, the first part of our Saturday was dedicated to some leisurely time in West End Salvage. The only bad part was that we saw some things that were a) too big for my car and b) that we couldn't figure out what we'd do with them at home. If I lived in the Des Moines area, I'd do a once-a month visit, just because I love this place that much.Staff here are helpful and friendly. It was especially nice to have some assistance with the 80-pound iron pulley I found on the 4th floor ---- the staff just loaded it into the freight elevator, and then helped put it in my car. This place has a bonus, in addition to all of the wonderful treasures you find --- and that's their coffee. We didn't have any on our visit, but the smell throughout the first floor is heavenly. And, it's nice to know that if you see something and want to take some time to think on it, you can sit and have a little something while you're there.

The quantity of quirky stuff that is crammed into this building is pretty amazing. Staff is helpful but also willing to just let you wander around and soak up the ambience if that's what you want to do. Pretty good chance that you'll run into people featured on the TV show. Recommend that you call ahead for precise directions and compare them to your GPS's route if you're relying on your GPS since GPS is easily confused by the strange street layout in this part of town.

Got to talk with Don Short himself, as he took time away from his project to talk to people that walked into his shop on a Sunday. Awesome place to spend an afternoon. We will be going back and we will be headed there to get things for decorations as we do some redecorating in our house!

The old becomes new, and unique and different. Very cool and very fun. Started off with great coffees, and walked around for over an hour- could have been 2.Worth the stop you can buy so many neat unique things that are talking points for your home.Will be back next week, even though we were there last week. Fun fun fun. Can't wait to take family there for stories..

I was here many moons ago before the show and tv was even remotely in the picture. It was an amazing space. Loads of cool finds and staff/owner was eager to help you with anything. Now that the show has taken over regular life it has a completely different vibe. I miss the old 'no name' atmosphere. It is a decent place but prepare yourself for the prices. I love to shop local if at all possible until they start jamming you with their prices. I probably wont' be returning as there are lots of other places to choose from. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice place but I don't want to get taken advantage of either.