Do you live in Des Moines or ever swing by for some weekend shopping? Make sure to add Active Endeavors to your list, especially if you’re looking for active apparel or other goods.
We recently interviewed the owner of AE, Jason Juehring and can’t wait for you to learn more about this local retail store in Des Moines.
When did you start at AE?
AE started in Des Moines in October of 1993. The original owner was Mark Weaver, who also owns the AE store in downtown Iowa City. I worked for Mark in Iowa City while in college and moved to Des Moines in June of 1996 to help manage the Des Moines location.
Why did you decide to purchase the Des Moines AE location?
My wife, Missy, and I were given the opportunity to purchase the Des Moines location from Mark in August of 2007.
What do you love about your customers?
Our customers trust us enough to share their lives with us. It really is a privilege to get to know so many wonderful people beyond just a transaction at the register.
What do you offer that is different than other stores in the metro?
While we’ve always prided ourselves on having a great selection of merchandise for the active outdoor lifestyle, times have changed and most of those things are now just a click away. What makes us different is an exceptional in-store experience. Having a knowledgeable staff that truly cares about your experience, not only while in our store, but also the experience you’re going to have once you leave with your purchase, is what sets us apart.
What do you find people come in to shop for the most often?
That’s a tough one to answer with such a wide range of products but if I had to try to guess I would say fleece and socks. Seems like almost everyone loves a good fleece and a nice pair of socks.
Tell us about a really interesting customer; what was s/he looking for on an adventure they were going to take?
One big adventure I can remember most recently was a young family planning to travel the world for a year with just carry-on luggage. Having two young children myself, I can’t even imagine how that could be possible. I can’t wait to hear all about their year.
What do you love about the AE community?
What I love most about our AE community is that is made up of so many unique individuals. While we’re all not grand explorers, we all have a passion for adventure no matter how large or small. Life is about experiences and it’s great getting to be a part of that process.
Any remarkable trips you have taken in your lifetime?
I fall into that category of non-grand explorers, so the most memorable ones for me are the ones taken with family and friends. Something unplanned always seems to happen while traveling and I think that just ads to the lifetime list of experiences.
What else do you wish people knew about AE that we can share?
We have dedicated our lives to the retail experience. With our current staff, we combine for over 100 years in the retail world. Three of us started with AE back in the mid-90’s. This is what we love to do.
If you’re looking for your adventure goods, make sure to stop by the store. They will take great care of you!