Walking Through the East Village
If you haven’t taken time to visit the East Village I highly recommend it. I see this place as a little eclectic center full of shopping, restaurants and lofts.
What makes the East Village unique is that all the shops are something that you don’t find everywhere else. I can’t be positive about this, but I think most of the shops there are little boutiques of which there is only one.
My wife was really wanting to check out the furniture stores, but we were there Sunday–everyone was closed.
Can’t wait for my next trip to the East Village, hopefully I pick a better day to take my wife and we can grab a bite to eat, check out some shopping and get some pictures for you.
Let me know what you think about the East Village–comment below!
Filed under: east village, eating, must see, shopping, what I love
Paul Says:
This has to be a joke, right? Did you ever make the ‘trip’ back to the east village to actually go inside any shops? Did you consider, oh, googling the shop names to see if they’re actually one-offs (most are)? Have you thought about maybe knowing anything about what you’re writing about? Why the hell is someone so remarkably un-urban writing about downtown living anyway? There are probably, oh, a couple of thousand people living downtown that know more about than you do, but they don’t have a freaking blog about it, do they?
Is this really just a real-estate or city-sponsored marketing trick?
Posted on June 13th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Bethany J Says:
Yikes, Paul…you sound bitter. I guess I don’t mind someone showing off the downtown area-even if he doesn’t know everything.
If I remember correctly, Josh was new to downtown living not too long ago. It takes a while to see everything. I see new things all the time and it looks like that will continue long into the future.
Give him a break–he’s got a blog, not a Brittanica’s Guide to the
City of Des Moines…
Posted on June 14th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
paul Says:
Well first off, I have to be a tinge bitter at someone that suggests wal-mart move downtown… people like that are the reason modern urban centers are in a state of social decay even if they’re growing, which DSM remarkably is. Let’s chase away local development with some big, socially irresponsible chains that will create slums and depress the local economy. Secondly, I can certainly appreciate someone writing about moving downtown and seeing what it has to offer… But if you’re going to have a blog about it, drop the fake sense of wonder and learn to use Google to write it well. It would have taken a few seconds and been a lot more informative.
Posted on June 14th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Bethany J Says:
I’m with you on the Walmart thing….I don’t want them anywhere near me!
Posted on June 14th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
lenny Says:
Yeah I hate those corporations that sell at prices those poor working class can afford!!!
Paul, you want informative? Go back to school and read the text book! lol
Paul sounds like one of those coffee shop dudes who thinks they know more about the “expirence” then the rest of us who like to enjoy it.
Posted on June 14th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
paul Says:
Those corporations that set the minimum wage below cost of living?
They’re terrific. Gimme some 48 rolls of toilet paper for a buck ninety-nine! Whoo! 
I didn’t want informative, but I would think the people who are thinking of moving downtown might!
You kids are great
Posted on June 14th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
WhiteLine103 Says:
I think any one who promotes downtown in a positive light should be commended. I think if you lived downtown Paul you would agree? If you think you have better ideas and comments about downtown, that’s what blogs like this are for, offer a solution of your own rather than criticizing other’s views.
Posted on June 15th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Josh Says:
Paul–
I don’t know who crapped in your cheerios this morning but give me a break.
This site is meant to be informative–not elitist. If you want something better, more designed for the “elite” types that are too good for what the rest of us think or like, get a domain and put up your own site!
Posted on June 15th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
lenny Says:
Problem is no one cares about his elite attitude and about how des moines should be expirenced. Plus if he wants people to just do “better research on google” why would anyone need to read his view since its only based on someone elses article?
Posted on June 15th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
paul Says:
It’s elite to actually go into shops in the the East Village? There are a lot of suburbanites who seem to be pretty urban elitist then. I think it’s elitist to put up a blog and then delete comments. Really, the first two words on this website are “urban living,” so come on, give it a try. I think it’s hilarious that the word “elitist” keeps getting thrown up here, I grew up in a small Iowa town of 1,500 with a mainstreet reminiscent of the East Village… ‘Round there, and you won’t find a lot of neo-yuppies on farms, people VISITED the shops rather than blogging about how much they’d like to someday… It’s what kept small business alive.
Posted on June 18th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Josh Says:
Paul-
I emailed you exactly why I deleted your comment. The F word isn’t allowed around here.
You’re a very rude and negative person–I’m sure you’re going to be great for traffic around here. Everyone loves a trainwreck and you’ve finally showed up.
Posted on June 19th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Bryan Says:
Paul,
I have lived downtown for years, even before it was the thing to do. I have not been to the east village, the science center, the botanical center, or any of the new lofts. I wish Walgreens was open more often and I wish there was a HyVee or Dahls downtown, even if it was a smaller version. I work hard for a living and don’t get out like I would like to because of my schedule. I am glad that there is a blog about the downtown area, because it shows me what is out there. When friends and relatives come to visit, I can be informed about what is going on, even if I haven’t done those things myself. Actually, most of the things going on downtown are not “my thing” and I wouldn’t take the time to do them. I am not interested in the east village or experi
Posted on June 19th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Bryan Says:
Sorry. I don’t need to see science experiments or a special plant. Mostly I work and spend time with friends at our favorite places.
I guess I don’t get it–what is your problem? Why does this blog or anyone else’s have to qualify under your tough scrutiny? There are lots of things for lots of people in this town. This blog has compliled them into one area, about one area.
My suggestion to you is to start your own blog “What Paul Knows.” Then those that want your opinion to be theirs can join you in condemning the rest of us.
Posted on June 19th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
paul Says:
Now level with me Josh, would this event happen to be a brett fine sales pitch? OK ok, the f-word, which I didn’t use. Anyway. Without going into why someone who isn’t interested in the east village or what downtown dsm has to offer would be reading a blog like this, I’m only really here because I was impressed by the cavalier “let’s pretend we’re in the suburbs” attitude enough to post, and the comments are truly a hoot. I don’t know who’s trainwreck this is, but it’s definitely not mine. Josh, man, I wish you the best. I hope you someday venture inside those glittering windowpanes and buy something, taking a moment to reflect on what downtown dsm will look like with flourishing small businesses serving the thousands of residents walking around in a genuine community. You’ll like it, I promise. Brett will still get his commissions and Bryan can still avoid downtown activities. And there won’t even need to be a wal-mart.
Posted on June 21st, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Bryan Says:
Here we go again…
I am not interested in everything the downtown area has to offer. BUT I love living here. I love that I am close to work, I love that I can walk to work in any weather, I love that I have many choices of where to eat or drink with friends, or alone for that matter. But I am one who does not enjoy the “glittering windowpanes” in ANY community. G & L clothing is more my style. Does that make me wrong? Wake up, Paul. Downtown has many different kinds of people. Open your eyes-we are not all like you or like what you do. East Village will prosper whether I am there or not. And like it or not, I am a part of the downtown community. Get used to it.
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 8:12 am
Josh Says:
Paul-
Replacing the ‘U’ in the f word with an ‘S’ doesn’t change the fact that you wrote the f word. That isn’t allowed here, and I don’t care who wrote it.
I’m sorry that you feel me having commerce happen here is bad. I know that in a socialist system, which this country should have of course, there would be no need for me to make money to pay for this site, or for other people to advertise where the exact leads they are trying to reach congregate. I know this is all bad–it’s horrible and will be the defeat of the west I’m sure.
And I would love for you to point out someone doing more to promote downtown to people that want to learn more than me. I spend hours every single day promoting downtown, learning more, and sharing with people what I’m learning. I’m sorry if I don’t meet your standards, but I have my doubts that anyone outside of Karl Marx would meet your standards anyway.
I’m sure you noticed this as well, being as you’re the smartest person on the planet, but this article is from Feb 22. It’s one of the first one’s I put up, after a trip on a Sunday to the East Village when everything was closed…….I’m also sure you didn’t read the recent article we had up about the Village Market. Again, it’s cause you’re the smartest man alive I’m sure.
Don’t let this comment persuade you to leave though, the more tripe you leave around here the higher my pageviews will go!
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
tony Says:
Paul you shouldnt come around here just to critique someones work. Otherwise josh might have to go to your drive through window while your working and insult your service, maybe even smack the fries out of your hand! lol
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 11:40 am
Bethany J Says:
I’m having fun!
I’ll have to put my vote in Bryan’s ballot box, though. I run into many people who live downtown, and they are all types. Downtown (Lord, please!) won’t prosper with just one type.
Gee Josh, I’m surprised that you haven’t gone to every place in every nook of downtown and spent money in every shop. And you call your self a blogger…
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
T bird Says:
HA HA - Paul has Brett envy! Come on Paul, admit it! We all can see it, it’s time you look in the mirror and realize you are not as hot as Brett and that is what is really chapping your behind. Oh AND you have “Josh’s cool blog site” envy too! Your negative, low self esteem, “have to beat up on SOMETHING to build my own pathetic self up” is painfully apparent and I am embarrassed for you, dear dear Paul. I do believe there is a 12 step program out there for that type of transparent self hate. Downtown Des Moines rocks and thank God for Josh’s site!! Josh - the comments I get regarding your site are so awesome! You are doing a fantastic job and this is a fantastic site. Thank you for dedicating your time and energy to this. Downtown needed it! Rock on Josh - and Paul, get your own “I’m a jealous crap head hates every one” blog site - cuz dude, you suck!
Posted on June 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 pm