Merle Hay Mall — Attraction in Des Moines

I have been ragging on Merle Hay Mall pretty hard these last couple of years... because it deserves every bit of the flak it gets.

This mall is a joke compared to what it once was. In the late 90s early 2000s it was by far my favorite mall: It had Sam Goody (Music Store), Sun-coast Video, a actual McDonalds in the basement next to the bowling alley, Laser-X Arcade and Laser Tag, Dunham's Sporting Goods, etc... and now what does it got?

It has lost 2 of it's anchor stores in Yonkers and Sears. It has tons of empty store spaces that will probably never be filled again because no one wants to pay to set up shop at a dead mall. And they are doing absolutely nothing to resolve some of these issues.

The only reason my family goes here is so our 2 year old can play at the play area, but that becomes nearly impossible, because of all the 10 to 12 year olds that are always playing in an area meant for 5 and under. You can only watch your toddler get plowed over be a 10 year old 5x their size so many times before you quit bothering to even try and let them play... but as mad as I should be at the parents who let their 10 year olds play in the play area, I get it, because there is absolutely nothing for their kids to do at this mall!

Where is the arcade? Where is the entertainment (besides the movie theater)? Where are the affordable food court options? What is there for a young person, and families, to do at this mall?

I know that my review is going to get lost in a slew of other reviews, and no one will probably read my suggestions on things to revive this mall, but here are some anyway = Take a few of the empty stores and build a glow in the dark mini-golf course like what is over by Jordan Creek Mall. Take the old theater and turn it into one of those escape rooms that are popular for families, and company team building events. And get some actual affordable food options back into the food court! Get families back in the mall to be entertained, and they might actually stay for...

It's nothing like it was 35 years ago. A wonderful place for the elderly to walk with shelter. I couldn't enter many stores because the outside doors are locked. If that is the solution the collective decision makers came up with to combat theft, then it's no place to take my children. It felt like a post apocalyptic left over from a time when human beings ruled the earth. However, I saw no sign of intelligence and was on edge the whole time I was in the building. Was I going to get robbed? Would this or that shop be open and the entrance unlocked? I couldn't give you my opinion about competent staff. They were either absent, or too busy looking out for crooks to spare any attention toward my direction. I recommend hiring effective security. Armed workers who today's youth would not push too far in fear of life and death consequences. It would make honest shoppers feel protected while bringing back a shopping experience in which the vendors catered to customers, not spoiled brats raised to understand that being a minor means an automatic deferred judgement to a incarcerationable-domestic terror offense. They are encouraged by their elders and follow their direction in carrying out their crimes. Grow a pair and do what it takes to ensure a safe marketplace FFS MERLE HAY MALL! DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE REASON IT WAS NAMED MERLE HAY mall, then ask yourself if it comes close to the values of the courageous upstanding man whose namesake it holds. There's no reason lower middle class or upper poor class people need to drive all the way west to get stuff in a mall when they live right next to one. All of the merchants in this town need to realize that we will turn into South Africa before we know it. Yeah it's the lower class of shopkeeper that wants to be in the mall, but they're doing God's work in service to the underserved. You guys should at least make it safe for both the customer and the merchant. Whoever thinks that it's okay the way it is right now, well, give me a...

Nice mall, decent size food court and lots of seating. but there is a slight problem with the way the mall is being managed, I spoke to the manager of the mall Donna who, to my surprise was very polite but didn't get back to me after promising to investigate about the problem I encountered when I visited the property. A word of advice to shoppers - Some of the smaller shops are managed by "minor" teens and you could mistake them for young adults. I asked one of the girls who was managing the ice-cream parlor for a date and one of the security guards officer miller came running after me saying she was a minor. This kid was a racist he then called the police and lied to them telling them I was harassing this girl, I dont think he would have reacted the same way if the girl was not white??. He did not even bother the to check the camera footage before making that accusation. This guy has not been trained on how to treat customers. The other security officer agreed that I had done nothing wrong, but miller then called the police and they followed me into the bathroom while I was shopping in target and questioned me without bringing the person who allegedly made the accusation or reviewing any camera footage. They also threatened to ban me from the mall but said the ban was only for that day after I informally argued with them for about half an hour. I dont think its fair if they are banning people from the mall like this without reviewing any evidence they are lots of people that live alone and malls are the only place they can meet people. I been going to malls in Denver, Co and Des Moines, IA and New York for over 5 years to meat meet women and never experienced something like...