WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Nestled in to West Des Moines’ historic Valley Junction District sits a local spot with plenty of goodies to choose from.
Bing’s Des Moines gift shop is an all-inclusive experience with so much character. But the best part of Bing's story is how and why it was founded.
“I decided to open this story after my mom Victoria closed her business," Bing's owner Val Veiock told Local 5.
Val's mother, Victoria Veiock, owned a store called Wicker and the Works for 39 years. She retired while Val was finishing up grad school, but soon enough, the mother-daughter duo began plotting a new business idea.
"We both wanted something to do, and she said, 'If you like it, let's do it!" Val said. "Of course, I love it, so it just naturally all happened. "
"After I closed my store, I just thought it would be fun if we worked together and sold gifts instead of furniture," Victoria added.
Val and Victoria have built a loyal customer base since opening their gift shop in June 2017. But what the Veiocks are most proud of within their locally-owned business, is that solely women run the show.
“I try to sell a lot of women-made products. Our whole staff is female, even my shop pup Penny," Val said. "We’re very pro-women, it’s very important to us."
Bing’s target market is certainly women, but there are plenty of items for men to choose from too. That’s what makes the shop place so special to them: Everyone is welcome.
“We try to be a one-stop-shop for anything you could need," Val said. "We truly have something for everyone."
There store even has its own "cherry on top," right next to the Bing's sign out front. For those wondering where the gift shop's name comes from, it comes from Val's childhood nickname, Bing, short for her middle name, Bingham.
Many of the other shops in the Valley Junction shopping district are also female-owned.