About Us

Our Location

Our office is located at Historic City Hall, 137 5th Street, in the heart of Historic Valley Junction. Our welcome center and public restrooms are also located in our office. Our business hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 - 5:00, as well as evenings and weekends during our community special events. Our public phone number is 515-222-3642 and fax number is 515-274-8407.

 

Our Mission
To advance the growth and development of the Historic Valley Junction area into a vital and dynamic commercial, residential and tourist area through business improvement, design, organization and promotion.

Our Vision
Historic Valley Junction will serve as an historic link to West Des Moines' past and as a fun, shopping district in the present and future. The integrity of individual properties will be protected and appreciated. Consistent and professional promotion of the district's variety of unique shops will enhance its small town feel.

Businesses will be more successful and profit from increased customer traffic and the shoppers desire to buy locally. Valley Junction will be known as a desirable place for everybody to live, work, shop and be entertained.

 

We are at the intersection of hip and history, the crossroads of arts and events, the place where small town charm connects to big city shopping. We are Historic Valley Junction – home to over 150 specialty shops, restaurants, and services and the single largest collection of independent businesses in Greater Des Moines. We are convenient to all of the metro area yet we are a world apart. Great things come together at Valley Junction.

Our Organization
Historic Valley Junction Foundation (HVJF) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, with an emphasis on historic preservation, economic development and business growth. HVJF offers cooperative advertising, training, technical assistance, design services and trash collection for Valley Junction merchants. Valley Junction is a wireless business district, offered free of charge to businesses and visitors in the district.

Our 13-member board of directors includes merchants, property owners, city representation and core committee chairs. Some board directors are elected and some are appointed to serve their board term. Our current board is:

Brian Sweeney, President
Sweeney BBQ & Catering

 

Dana Zimmerman, Vice President

Landowner

Nicole Engler-Selser, Secretary
Engler Embroidery / Walnut Place Retreat

 

Brian Sweeney, Interim Treasurer
Sweeney BBQ & Catering

Naomi Hamlett, City Representative
City of West Des Moines

Christine McNunn, Merchant Representative
Fair World Gallery

Landowner Representative

Bruce Lambert, At Large Representative
Lambert & Ewers Smoked Meats

Betty Hill-Swander, Past President
Theatrical Shop / Junction Holdings of Iowa

Cindy Lane, Business Improvement Committee Chair
Mainstream Boutique

Jen Damge, Design Committee Chair
Body Center Therapeutic Massage

Organization Committee Chair

Promotions Committee Chair

 

Our Staff

Jim Miller, CMSM, Executive Director
Historic Valley Junction Foundation

director@valleyjunction.com

 

Katie Rooney, Events Manager

Historic Valley Junction Foundation

events@valleyjunction.com

 

Jamie Lamb, Business Manager
Historic Valley Junction Foundation

office@valleyjunction.com

Ray Kammermeier, Farmers Market Supervisor
Historic Valley Junction Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Since 1987                                   Since 2006                           Since 2007

About Main Street

Since 1987, we have been one of Iowa's 47 Main Street communities, nationally-certified, and currently one of the largest and most successful Main Street communities in the state. This program is under the state guidance of the Downtown Resource Center / Iowa Department of Economic Development; and under the national guidance of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The four main components of the Main Street philosophy are:

Business Improvement
Design
Organization
Promotion

State, regional and national training is offered for committee volunteers, board members and program staff. 

 

Our current Tax 990 form.