Ep 1. Salvage Shop in Iowa

West End Salvage is a show that follows the team at the eponymous store in Des Moines, Iowa as they scour the Midwest for unique and forgotten pieces of furniture, decor, and other items that can be repurposed and given new life. In the first season's premiere episode, entitled "Salvage Shop in Iowa," viewers are introduced to the team and given a glimpse into their day-to-day operations.

The episode begins with a tour of the West End Salvage store, which is housed in a historic four-story brick building in downtown Des Moines. Owner Don Short shows off some of the unique items that the team has found and offers a brief history of the building and its former occupants. The team consists of Don, his daughter Kassie, and a group of skilled craftsmen who work together to turn these salvaged items into one-of-a-kind pieces that can be sold in the store.

Next, we see the team head out on a "pick," where they scour a nearby town for items they can bring back to the shop. Along the way, Don talks about his philosophy on salvaging - he's not interested in simply repainting or refurbishing old items, but rather in finding ways to incorporate them into modern design. The team comes across a variety of potential treasures, including old church pews, a vintage barber chair, and a set of old lockers.

Back at the shop, the team gets to work on transforming these items into something new. There are a few different projects happening simultaneously - one team member is working on turning an old armoire into a bar, while another is creating a custom light fixture out of vintage Coca-Cola crates. Throughout the process, we get to see the team's creativity and attention to detail in action as they carefully craft each item by hand.

The episode also introduces some of the recurring characters who will appear throughout the season, including a local artist who collaborates with the team on some projects and a regular customer who's always on the lookout for unique pieces. There's also some lighthearted banter and joking around among the team members, giving viewers a sense of the camaraderie and friendship that exists between them.

The end of the episode features a reveal of the finished products - the armoire is now a beautiful bar with a stained wood top and custom shelving, while the Coca-Cola crate light fixture is a stunning centerpiece that would be at home in any modern industrial-chic space. As the team admires their handiwork, there's a sense of satisfaction and pride in seeing something old and forgotten given new life.

Overall, the premiere episode of West End Salvage sets the stage for an engaging and entertaining season of watching this talented team turn trash into treasure. Viewers will no doubt be inspired by their creativity and ingenuity, and will likely find themselves looking at old items in a new light the next time they're out thrifting or antiquing.