Entry No. 5 — the Des Moines file — filed under: records
Ratt's Underground Records
Buried in the east end of Merle Hay Mall, Des Moines's oldest and emptiest mall, this is described as one of the weirdest record-store experiences in the Midwest: 50,000+ vinyl records plus vintage VHS, magazines, original concert posters, hundreds of vintage band shirts, old stereo gear and stray Hot Wheels. The owner is known for being friendly, not pushy, and happy to cut a deal.
The move: Make a scavenger-hunt of it: each of you picks a $5 budget and has to find the other a record (or a band shirt, or a weird VHS) that says something about them, then go listen to your hauls.
📍 Before you go It's tucked into the east end of Merle Hay Mall, Des Moines's oldest shopping center, near Ross at Suite 922; from the lot, enter on that side and follow the quieter corridor instead of wandering the whole mall. Parking is free and plentiful. Weekday afternoons tend to be calmest for digging, and you'll want to budget real time to crate-dive through the bins rather than rushing. Bring cash and patience; the owner is known for cutting deals. Confirm the store is actually open before driving out, since it keeps mall-tenant hours, then pair it with a coffee or meal elsewhere in the mall.
- 📍 Merle Hay
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 3800 Merle Hay Rd, Ste 922, Des Moines, IA 50310
Hours: Inside Merle Hay Mall; check mall/store hours before going
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: merlehaymall.com · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-06