Tax Update Blog: Permalink

« Previous · Tax Update Blog Home · Next »

DOWNTOWN YOUNKERS PICTURES

June 03, 2005

They announced today that the Downtown Des Moines Younkers will close forever in August. I left work a bit early this afternoon and crossed the street to Younkers to get a few images on the day they announced the closing.

There were a handful of customers in the store at 4:00 pm, and there were no "store closing" sales. A few clusters of floor clerks were gathered, but there was no funereal atomosphere; it just looked like another sleepy retail afternoon. If they saw me sneaking around with the camera, they didn't seem to mind. The results are in the extended entry below.

These "electric stairs" were, I believe, the first escalators in Iowa. I once read how when they were first installed, a nurse was stationed nearby to minister to anyone overwehlemed by the technology.

Are they really hiring? The store closes in August; I hope they have quick vesting in the pension plan.

The benefits are really endless? It might be worth working retail again for a few weeks to gain immortality.

The store displays are as attractive as those at Jordan Creek or Valley West, but the 106 year-old building does show its age in spots:

The old store has a few other things you don't see at Jordan Creek:

This is on a shopping floor, right next to displays.

Is this the entrance to State 29's old tunnel?

Here's what's through the doors; I chickened out of going further.

Time to head upstairs on the elevator...

The Tea Room Menu is posted in the elevators; as slow as they are, you should be ready to order by the time you get there.

Make sure you don't zip past your floor:

Last Picture: the southeast corner of the store, Seventh and Walnut. Goodbye, Downtown Younkers; at least we have until August to get more photos.

      Bookmark: del.icio.us • Digg • reddit