A Dave & Buster’s arcade and sports bar is proposed for West Des Moines south of Jordan Creek Town Center. 

Dave & Buster’s, a popular Texas-based arcade and sports bar chain, plans to build an entertainment venue south of Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, according to information shared at a city meeting today.

The chain, with 136 venues nationwide, had long been rumored to be considering opening a store in Jordan Creek mall, either in space previously occupied by Younkers department store or in another location.

However, a 22,600-square-foot Dave & Buster’s stand-alone store is now proposed for a nearly one-acre site at 170 S. Jordan Creek Parkway north of the Residence Inn by Marriott, according to a city document.

The company has submitted a preliminary plat application to create a site plan for the building, according to a city official. No timelines have been discussed on when construction would begin or when the venue would open.

The proposed building is 25% to 40% smaller than a typical Dave & Buster’s store, according to the company’s website. The stores generally draw customers from a 25-mile radius and typically are located in areas with daytime populations of 100,000. In addition, the stores generally open in areas with 500,000 or more residents within 10 miles. 

A typical Dave & Buster’s generates an annual sales volume of $10 million and employs between 120 and 140 people, according to its website. 

In 2018, Iowa lawmakers made it possible for companies like Dave & Buster’s to operate in the state. Iowa law had limited amusement concession prizes to $100. The bill, signed into law in April 2018, raised the limit to $950.

Telephone calls and emails to Dave & Buster’s were not immediately returned. West Des Moines city officials today did not discuss the proposed project. Minimal information about the project was included on a development and planning subcommittee meeting agenda.