If you are, you’ll find one at West End Architectural Salvage. The name of the business is an understatement for what the warehouse contains. The obligatory old doors and stained glass windows are here, but stepping through the door one is immediately aware that this is no junk yard. This is a treasure trove. Former Marshalltown resident and owner Don Short has assembled an inventory from Chicago, New York, Minneapolis, St. Louis, the Middle East, and other places around the world. The result is astounding, and all items are grouped together for easy location. Good thing, since there are five floors to explore.
Walking through the door, I immediately regretted not bringing my camera. The one on my cell phone would have to suffice, if only in helping me to remember a few oddities I might want to write about. The warehouse’s first floor welcomes visitors with twinkling, white Christmas lights. The showiest pieces are located here, but don’t skip out without visiting each floor. Some product, sectionals, old tables, etc., is placed effectively together in cozy corners, offering visitors a comfortable place to rest and drink their coffee. Did I mention the full menu coffee shop?
Need bones? There’s a box that holds an animal skull and various loose bones. Claw foot bath tubs and plumbing fixtures are available. For that retro bathroom, try pink or lime green. Always wanted a metal serpent but couldn’t find one on a stand? West End Salvage can set you up. Into tin? Tin is everywhere, from handmade Christmas ornaments to hammered tin-top tables. Remember cigarette machines? Get your very own. Like lights? Light covers are lined up on tables and shelves. Fixtures hang from the ceiling. You won’t find this stuff at the big box home stores. Need tile? Tables are creaking with tile and below, boxes are filled with more. Looking for cornices for a building project or garden accent? You’ll find them.
My friend and I wandered, and more than once stopped to exclaim, “My grandma (or mom and dad, or aunt and uncle) had one of those!” We saw a few things we couldn’t identify. (“What the heck do you suppose that was used for?”)
My favorite find? I have to go with the stereo console. Right out of an Austin Powers movie, this smooth-top wonder had a sliding door. On the right side, the stereo. Complicated-looking receiver and turn table. On the left, a bar lined with what appeared to be gold lame. Two glass shelves for bottles and glasses. Yeah, baby.
There’s no way we saw everything on our first trip. I’m reminded of, on a small scale, Wisconsin’s House On the Rock, the gargantuan museum filled with every curiosity one could possibly imagine. This is a photographer’s Mecca. A treasure hunter’s pot of gold. One more cool thing going on in Des Moines. Yeah, baby.
West End Architectural Salvage; 22 SW 9th St.; Des Moines; 515-243-0499
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