WEST DES MOINES – Dave & Buster’s could soon be coming to the Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines. The popular arcade and bar is looking to build inside the former Younkers store.
It’s still too early in the process to know when construction will begin. What we do know is that they submitted a building permit application. West Des Moines city officials are ecstatic to welcome their new neighbor.
City officials have been negotiating with representatives from Dave & Buster’s for over a year. They are glad a deal has finally been reached. “It certainly adds another entertainment option here in the community.”
But Clyde Evans, the city’s Director of Economic Development, says the chain’s interest in West Des Moines shows that West Des Moines is becoming more attractive to developers. “That’s another kudos for us in terms of having a vibrant community.”
Dave & Buster’s officials are tight-lipped about where they are planning to build. But Local 5 has learned that a permit was submitted to work on the former Younkers space. The former store occupied a whopping 150,000 square feet.
However, Dave & Buster’s only plans to use about 30,000 square feet. “They have a standard prototype that they said here’s what we are probably going to do, but we haven’t seen any specifics on what they are going to do here.”
It is still unclear how much money Dave & Buster’s could generate for operating in West Des Moines. Evans says with the penny sales tax a good chunk of money will be staying in the city.
If it all goes smoothly, construction will be completed in about six months. Dave & Buster’s has more than 100 stores nationwide. This would be the first in Iowa.