411-413 Maple Street

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Evaluation:

 

This is a contributing Maple Street building within the historic district.  This double-storefront housed a curious combination of appliance and coffee shops.

 

District Characteristic

Yes

No

Findings/Recommendations

Two-story brick with narrow mass

 

X

 

Larger, broader massing

 

X

 

Other key façade features

 

X

 

Architectural style

 

X

 

Prominent location

 

X

 

Original façade materials

X

 

 

Upper fenestration pattern

 

NA

 

Sympathetic Storefront Infill

X

 

 

Brick corbelled parapet

 

X

 

Cornice/coping (not metal)

X

 

 

 

Physical Description:

This single-story brick fronted double storefront is present by 1937 (Sanborn) and was remodeled into its present form in 1945 (but was credited as the new J. H. Swan building, Register, November 11, 1945).  Its frame east wall and metal covered north/rear wall betray its humbler and earlier origins. The plan measures 40 feet by 43 feet. The facade is plainly wrought and one minor point of interest is the slightly raised concrete foundation that underscores its front. There is a third left hand entry into 201-03 Fifth. The two storefronts, likely extant as of 1968, have centered entrances. Only the doors have been replaced.

 

Documented Alterations:

This is credited as a new building with white brick front and a modern aluminum and steel storefront in mid- 1945 (Express, July 19, 1945).  No other permit record was found.

 

Commercial History:

411 Maple Street

Business

Owner

Start

Stop

Notes of Interest

Body Center Therapeutic Massage

Jen Damge, Jen Foster-Kruege, Jocelyn Clark, Jennifer Olson

2004

2008

To August 208

Bohemian Art & Glass

Marcela Kotrcova

2002

2003

Closed December, to wholesale

 

 

 

2000

Vacant November-December, $475/month.

Ocean Treasures

1996

1996

 

Fish, aquariums

Connections Bookstore

Scott A. Arnold

1995

 

 

Min—Psychic Fair

 

1993

 

Likely a single event

J. F. Ochanpaugh & Asso.

 

1988

1990

construction

Connoisseur

James Salsman

1986

1987

wines

 

 

1986

 

vacant

C G Enterprises

 

1983

 

 

Feet on Wheels

Alan Whitmarsh

1981

 

Skates and skateboards, adds skates 1978

 

 

1979

 

Vacant, 600 square feet, $190/mo.

Graphics Studio

 

1977

1976

Photos and frames

The Antique Gallery

 

1969

 

New location

Aldridge Home Improvement/ Heating and Air Conditioning

Calvin B. Aldridge

1967

1968

 

West Des Moines Service Co.

 

1960

1961

 

Lawson Sewing Machines

 

1955

1956

 

WDM Feed Store

M. L. Howell

1955

 

“Re-opened”

The Frigidaire Appliance Store/Kramer Appliance Store

Richard L. Kramer, E. A. Laverrenz

1952

1955

To 411 Fifth

Payne's Complete Electrical Service

Rufus Payne

1945

1952

Moves into “the new J. H. Swan building (Register, November 11, 1945)

Jim Refrigeration Service

Jim Stefani

1946

 

Shares with Payne, from Fort Des Moines, WWII vet

Complete Electrical Service

 

1945

1946

 

Construction

Luzetta Swan

1938

 

This building had its origins as a single-story frame warehouse that was re-fronted at a later date. Luzetta Swan obtained ownership of the parcel in 1938.

 

413 Maple Street

Business

Owner

Start

Stop

Notes of Interest

Betsy Rose Photos

 

 

current

 

Finding Iowa

Aly DeMoss

2015

 

Repurposed furniture

Small Shops/Big Hearts

 

2015

 

 

Time Cracker Gifts

 

 

2011

 

WDM Collectibles/ Collectibles Etc.

 

2003

2005

 

Candy Bouquets

Janis Anderson, Marilyn Selig

1999

2003

 

Music Works

 

1999

 

Sales, service, rental

All-Pro Sports Cards

 

1995

 

As 415 Maple

Connections Bookstore

Scott A. Arnold

1993

1995

New Age-encounters prohibition of blade signs, plants, sandwich boards 1993

Cathie Carter Interiors

 

1989

1990

Decorating service

Country Hears/Homespun Spring Boutique

Sue Risbeck

1988

 

 

Antiques and Things

 

1986

1987

 

Berry Patch Antiques

Sud Stookey, Marsha Scott (1984)

1982

1985

 

Children’s Sample Shop

 

1970

1980

Children’s clothing

Emergency Room Consignment Shop

 

1970

1976

As 415 Maple, 1970, April 1976, ?

Melodee Record Shop

Gladys Brown

1957

1976

 

Which Craft

Ginnie Beeler

 

1974

As 415 Maple

Valley Coffee Shoppe

Mary Akers

1952

1957

Buys Leo’s Cafe

Leo’s Cafe

Ted Candler mngr.

 

1952

 

Chapman’s Barbershop

Harry Chapman

1951

 

Remodeled into two offices to house this tenant, then at 515 Maple

WDM Water Works Office

 

1951

1953

Remodeled into two offices to house this tenant (Register, June 10, 1951). Moves in July 1951, has conference room. Moves to 138 Fifth as 415 Maple June 1953.

WDM Express

 

1925

1951

Water Works office replaces, had been there 25 years (?) before moving to Allen Auto. Bldg. (Register, April 29, 1951)

The three G's Koffee Shop

Harry Railes

1946

1949

 


Assessor’s photo, March 28, 2022

Register, July 5, 2015

Assessor’s photo, February 15, 2013

Assessor’s photo, March 23, 2005

Assessor’s photo, February 28, 2000

Janis Anderson, Register, August 31, 1999

Scott A. Arnold and his “blade sign” now prohibited, Register, June 9, 1993

Register, May 11, 1980

1965

Melody Records, 1963

Valley Koffee Shop, Express, March 14, 1961

Kramer Appliances, 411 Maple Street, Express, March 10, 1955