Steffaney Cronin looks at the newly built Waukee Village District building in the city’s downtown Triangle and is eager to see it become a focal point for the community to gather and shop.

“I’m super excited for it to become a hub of activity as well as economic growth,” said Cronin, owner of SJC Construction, who redeveloped the site at 420 Sixth St.

It’s on the site of the now-closed Jerry’s Barbershop, where SJC Construction constructed a 12,000-square-foot building. The building is fully leased, with the exception of one space.

All tenants are entrepreneurs of locally owned businesses, which include a coffee shop, a bakery, a salon, the Waukee Chamber of Commerce and a gift and flower shop. Cronin said she’s negotiating with an office user for the final space.

“My goal from the start was to build a place for community connection and convenience to make the Triangle more vibrant,” she said. 

Cronin, who worked with Substance Architecture on the project, first spoke about her plans for the building in early 2025. She said she hoped to build a space to help recreate the “warm and fuzzy” memories she has from her days growing up in Waukee and spending time at her grandmother’s house and in the neighborhood that has been a hub for residents for decades. Her grandfather owned the gas station across the street from the new building.

She envisions the Waukee Village District as a one-stop shop for people. 

“I didn’t want all retail,” she said. “I wanted a mix of things that would bring people out and the bike trail is right there so people can stop and grab something to eat or have a cup of coffee, buy a gift or flowers for a special occasion, or get their hair highlighted. A space where you can check more than one thing off your list.”

Cronin said the Waukee Village District fits in well with the city’s plan to revitalize its downtown to bring more people and events to the neighborhood. And that includes commercial redevelopment.

She believes all the tenants will be open by this summer.

“I feel like it’s coming full circle,” Cronin said. “It’s like when you’re in a situation that blessed you as a child and to bring it back and give it back when you have the opportunity, it’s so rewarding to give back to create a space where people can go to get that same warm, fuzzy feeling I had as a 10-year-old girl.”