I’ve lived in DSM for sixteen years and I didn’t recognize the name! I’ve actually been there two or three times. Great overview and history lesson. Thanks!
This place was absolutely hoppin' in the late 70's and early 80's. The movie theater was called the Forum 4 and showed all the iconic movies of the day like the early Rocky Movies, Caddyshack etc. Tuesday was cheap night there and could see all the latest movies for a buck. Nickelodeon was a video arcade that seemed to always be packed especially on weekends. On the east side was a record shop where you could check out the latest vinyl as well as pick up some weed paraphernalia which was the norm for such record shops back in the day. Of course lots of people would go to Felix and Oscars for some awesome deepdish before a show.
living in the area, i actually never knew of this place’s existence lmao. i always saw the glass by merle hay mall and wondered “what the hell is that?”
It's been a long time since I've had a pizza from Felix & Oscar's, but the last time I ate one, it was incredibly good, just like when they first opened in the 70's as the first deep dish pizza place in Des Moines as far as I know.
I really appreciate that you find these out of the way lesser known places and make a video on them, no matter how small a video it is. Thank you for documenting this small gem
I think my parents bought their VCR at that Best Buy in 1987. Later, my sister & I had our paintings framed at that Hobby Lobby when we were both still in high school in 2001. It’s funny you mention the opera too. I first attended the DMMO on my 20th birthday in 2003. It was Falstaff in English. The last time I went was to see Candide in 2019.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Discovered it about 10 years ago and always imagined what it used to look like. I remember doing research and loving how it opened as the "Prestige Mall" but then became "Value Mall" within 10 years.
It took me a few seconds but once I saw the F&O's, I realized this is the area right beside the Burlington on the other side of Merle Hay mall. There ain't jack fucking shit in there and that's kinda tragic. The arguably just as if not more tragic thing is I don't think it can be torn down to create usable space without hurting either Felix and Oscar's, Hobby Lobby (Fuck Hobby Lobby btw), or Burlington. Considering how small it is and the lack of storefronts, that's kind of tragic. Especially with the amount of wasted parking space it has.
Wile worthy , not sure I'd ever call this a Mall in the standard sense. All the businesses had exterior entrances except the movie theater, and few used this inside area, of what always seemed an odd unfinished, corridor other than a place to stomp feet in winter, There really was never a need for it, for a decade after the theater it was just an empty hallway that split parking lots. It wasn't ever holiday decorated nor had a mall feeling. The "Forum 4" Movie theater never had "Adult" movies, As if. A popular stereo outlet proceeded the Coat factory until then, it wasn't attached to this little walkway, never really used at all. Ardan's pronounced Are-Dan's was never part of this late 70's upgrade, It was where Burlington coat factory, Harbor fright is now, and long since bulldozed. You missed that F&O's "Felix and Oscar's Pizza" the longest tenant and original is still there, Also the dark glassed area at the front interior was a large Video arcade original tenant "Nickelodeon" for almost 2 decades, it was a popular youth destination.
I’ve lived in DSM for sixteen years and I didn’t recognize the name! I’ve actually been there two or three times. Great overview and history lesson. Thanks!
I want to see every mall, no matter how small. Thanks for the video. ✌
Thanks for sharing your love of opera.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Has to be the shortest tour in your collection😎 enjoyed the fun “biographical” details. 👍
This place was absolutely hoppin' in the late 70's and early 80's.
The movie theater was called the Forum 4 and showed all the iconic movies of the day like the early Rocky Movies, Caddyshack etc.
Tuesday was cheap night there and could see all the latest movies for a buck.
Nickelodeon was a video arcade that seemed to always be packed especially on weekends.
On the east side was a record shop where you could check out the latest vinyl as well as pick up some weed paraphernalia which was the norm for such record shops back in the day.
Of course lots of people would go to Felix and Oscars for some awesome deepdish before a show.
Nice! Thanks for sharing all your memories.
I never realized that there was a mallway there, just knew about the harbor freight and the other major mall there
living in the area, i actually never knew of this place’s existence lmao. i always saw the glass by merle hay mall and wondered “what the hell is that?”
I remember watching many movies at the Forum 4 theaters. It's sad those theaters are gone.
It's been a long time since I've had a pizza from Felix & Oscar's, but the last time I ate one, it was incredibly good, just like when they first opened in the 70's as the first deep dish pizza place in Des Moines as far as I know.
I didn't notice him mentioning this, but this is right next to the Merle Hay Mall
I really appreciate that you find these out of the way lesser known places and make a video on them, no matter how small a video it is. Thank you for documenting this small gem
I think my parents bought their VCR at that Best Buy in 1987. Later, my sister & I had our paintings framed at that Hobby Lobby when we were both still in high school in 2001. It’s funny you mention the opera too. I first attended the DMMO on my 20th birthday in 2003. It was Falstaff in English. The last time I went was to see Candide in 2019.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Discovered it about 10 years ago and always imagined what it used to look like. I remember doing research and loving how it opened as the "Prestige Mall" but then became "Value Mall" within 10 years.
Loving the content Brandon, and a glimpse into your life as well. Keep doing what your doing. - The Retail ADV
I remember going there a lot when Best Buy was there.
Thanks for the Carmen outro.
It took me a few seconds but once I saw the F&O's, I realized this is the area right beside the Burlington on the other side of Merle Hay mall. There ain't jack fucking shit in there and that's kinda tragic. The arguably just as if not more tragic thing is I don't think it can be torn down to create usable space without hurting either Felix and Oscar's, Hobby Lobby (Fuck Hobby Lobby btw), or Burlington. Considering how small it is and the lack of storefronts, that's kind of tragic. Especially with the amount of wasted parking space it has.
👀
Wile worthy , not sure I'd ever call this a Mall in the standard sense. All the businesses had exterior entrances except the movie theater, and few used this inside area, of what always seemed an odd unfinished, corridor other than a place to stomp feet in winter, There really was never a need for it, for a decade after the theater it was just an empty hallway that split parking lots. It wasn't ever holiday decorated nor had a mall feeling.
The "Forum 4" Movie theater never had "Adult" movies, As if.
A popular stereo outlet proceeded the Coat factory until then, it wasn't attached to this little walkway, never really used at all. Ardan's pronounced Are-Dan's was never part of this late 70's upgrade, It was where Burlington coat factory, Harbor fright is now, and long since bulldozed. You missed that F&O's "Felix and Oscar's Pizza" the longest tenant and original is still there, Also the dark glassed area at the front interior was a large Video arcade original tenant "Nickelodeon" for almost 2 decades, it was a popular youth destination.
2:33 I did that