West Des Moines, IA
Home Menu411-413 Maple Street
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