West Glen retailers raise money for family of man killed in front of children

Ester Kim had just finished her first day of training at Banana Leaf restaurant in West Des Moines when she learned her husband had been shot. 

She was on her way to meet him and their three young sons in the parking lot of University Terrace Apartments, 3523 University Ave., on April 21 before heading home to their south-side apartment.  

That's when Stephen Kim, 41, was shot and killed during an apparent robbery attempt. 

Retailers at West Glen Town Center, where Banana Leaf is located, will hold a fundraiser May 5 for Ester Kim and her children. 

"It's a horribly sad story and hits closer to home ..." said West Glen property manager Jennifer Howell. "This is our community's small way of showing our support and wrapping our arms around those hurting."

Banana Leaf will donate all profits earned that day to the Kim family. MintL.A. Boutique will accept gently-used clothes and toys for Ester Kim's sons, all younger than 9 years old. Other businesses will donate portions of sales made that day.

More:

• Ester Kim: 'I pray something like this doesn’t happen to other people.'
• Police chief: Loose-knit gangs behind increase in shootings
• Man who was 'executed' spent last day with his children, principal says
• Man who was killed in front of his children 'always had a smile on his face'
• Police: Friday homicide victim was killed in front of his children

Ester Kim has worked at Cool Basil in Clive for about two years as a sushi chef, manager Emily Mohns said. Her husband was a bartender and host at the restaurant. She had just started training to be a sushi chef at Banana Leaf on April 21. The West Glen restaurant has the same owners as Cool Basil.

Ester and Stephen Kim immigrated to the U.S. from western Myanmar in 2009 and later became U.S. citizens. 

A GoFundMe page has been established to pay for a funeral planned for May 5. It raised more than $43,000 in four days. 

No one has been arrested in connection with Stephen's death. Anyone with information can contact the Des Moines Police Department at 515- 283-4811 or Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400. 

West Glen businesses participating in the May 5 fundraiser are: 

• Banana Leaf: Total net sales to be donated to the family.
• Boesen the Florist: 50 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Power Life Yoga: all classes are free with a free-will donation to the family. Power Life will match the monies donated.
• MintL.A. Boutique: 10 percent of all sales to be donated to the family, plus a gently-used clothing and toy drive for the children.
• Coach’s Pizza: Monetary donation directly to the family.
• Spa at West Glen: Monetary donation directly to the family.
• West Glen Town Center Management Office: Monetary donation.
• West End Architectural Salvage: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Shotgun Betty’s: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• The Irish:10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Blue Toro: Sales from $1 margaritas to be donated to the family.
• Worn: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• TrueStyle: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Paula & Correy Boutique: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• The Great Frame Up: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Hurts Donut: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Plato’s Closet: 5 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Style Encore: 5 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Funny Bone: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Strategic Elements: Monetary donation directly to the family.
• West Des Moines Chamber: Monetary donation directly to the family.
• Tonic: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Abelardo’s: 10 percent of sales to be donated to the family.
• Smoothie King: 10 percent of sales from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to be donated to the family.
• Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant: 5 percent of sales to be donated to the family.