KatieOlthoff.com participates in affiliate marketing and other forms of advertising. We only recommend products and services we believe in and think they will be of use to you. As such, posts on this website may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy. Thank you for your support of this website and our family.

Junkin’ Field Trip with Iowa Bloggers: West End Salvage

 

West End Salvage has been junkin’ since before junkin’ was cool.

IMG_8113-4269(rev 0)IMG_8141-4297(rev 0)

The store, located in a 4+ floor, 50,000 square foot building in Des Moines, started as a garage sale almost 10 years ago.

IMG_8115-4271(rev 0)

Now, it’s a popular home décor store and coffee shop.

IMG_8129IMG_8121

So popular, in fact, that it has its own reality TV show on HGTV!

IMG_8136-4292(rev 0)IMG_8123

West End Salvage, the show, originally aired in 2013.  There have been 12 episodes so far (on HGTV on Thursday nights, currently) and there is a possibility more will be coming.

IMG_8127

On my first visit to West End, I got to meet the owner, Don Short, and make a fool of myself like a teenager at a One Direction concert.

20140315_093206

I also met with some fellow Iowa bloggers.

Hey Nicole! Nicole shared some “Farm Girl Facts” with us, like the fact that a couple of ladies from Africa were coming to visit her farm this week!

IMG_8126

And here’s Jenni! (I totally got Jenni mid-word.  Sorry, dear! I couldn’t help but take a pic, though – she was sharing such valuable blog information!  She’s been blogging for 8 years! Be sure and check out her blog!)

20140315_095600

After coffee and chit chat, we took a little tour of the shop.

IMG_8131

The cool thing is, I saw a lot of old junk similar to what we have at The HomeShed (and at a much better price! Junk costs more in the city!)

IMG_8138IMG_8130

I also saw stuff that was much cooler than anything we have at the Shed.

IMG_8142IMG_8148

But hey, when you’ve got 50,000 square feet, carpenters, welders and interior designers on your team, you can do some pretty neat stuff!

IMG_8149

I’ll leave you with this sentiment, painted on an old door and propped in the narrow stairway that leads to the upper floors of the shop…interpret it however you want.

IMG_8128

Would you like to comment?

  1. That was so fun! Glad we got to meet up!

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG! I want to come next time! I don't care how far I have to travel ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. That looks like a lot of fun and a cool coffee shop. If you (or any of the other blogger gals in your neck of Iowa) are in Mason City, let us know. We'd love to meet up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. i love West End, especially the old school props! i'm glad you had a chance to meet other Iowa bloggers. i'm looking forward to following you blog : )

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am sooooooo wanting to add that place to my list of stops some day when I am in the city! much more important to get there now that I have seen pictures... droooool!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. If I wasn't kid wrangling I would have joined in on the fun! I've been to West End once. And I just looked with my eyes. No touching allowed. I was afraid of breaking something and the prices! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. So Jealous! Looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This place looks amazing. I wished we were just a little closer to Des Moines! Ever time I am over there it is a passing through or we are in town for a cattle show or sale. I might just have to make a special road trip.
    www.crystalcattle.com

    ReplyDelete