Family enjoyed walking through Valley Junction. Shopkeepers were very friendly. Especially enjoyed the antique shops. Stopped at G.Migs for lunch. It was extremely busy but we received excellent attention from the bartender and other servers. Food was amazing! Enjoyed it all the way around.
On Thursday afternoon/evenings Valley Junction hosts a farmers market (When in Season). You can purchase local produce, crafts and art. There is also live outdoor musical entertainment and cold beer to be enjoyed. There are also many unique antique,art, restaurants and boutiques and specialty shops for you to purchase unique gifts or simply have some good eats and drink.
Valley Junction is a great place to bring the famliy. There are so many family owned business and restaurants. Each with it's own uniqueness and charm. In the summer and fall there are always fun events happening. Here is a link to see what's happening. http://www.valleyjunction.com/events/
Valley Junction in the last couple of years has totally declined. I was so disappointed to visit it this year. So many shops that I love have moved away from Valley Junction or been forced to shut down due to the very poor business climate in Valley Junction. The streets resemble a ghost town. No one is there shopping anymore. I talked to several shop owners while visiting and they all said that business has greatly declined in the last couple of years and the Main Street programs administered by Valley Junction Foundation have flopped. None of them have much respect for the executive director of the organization. He seems to do what he wants to do instead of listening to the shop owners. I feel so sorry for the shop owners because they have put their heart and soul into their businesses and according to them their sales have declined so much they will not be in business much longer. Do not waste your time visiting Valley Junction. It is only a matter of time before it is another office park. Sad. Very sad. Such an awesome place about five years ago. Rapid decline is an understatement.
This area has restaurants, shops, antique stores, etc. It is a marvelous place to walk around and experience Des Moines.
The historical Vally Junction area is unique. It has Wicker and More which is a store with anything you can think of for your home and for gifts! It has bars, unique boutique shops, places to eat, antiques, crafts shops and much more!
In 4 or so blocks, lots of fun and one-off antique, art, niche, and boutique shops. There are also a couple of really good restaurants and a couple of main street, old school bars.My only wish is that Valley Junction stores had "friendlier" hours, with most open during the narrow window of 10-5. Given expanded hours, I would visit more often.
I enjoy the farmers market on Thursday evening but the parking situation sucks. The shops seem fine but it is a lot of hipster crammed in one area.
Delightful mix of shops, bakeries, cafes, bars, and specialty merchants. The Valley Junction farmers' market on Thursdays 4:00-8:00 pm during the growing season offers a wide variety of foods and produce. Local bands provide music during and after market hours.
Cooper's Restaraunt and The Longest Yard spoets bar serve me well on trips to shop all the antique shops and the excellent art gallaries.All this located in the restored Historic Valley Junction neughbirhood!