As one door closes, another one opens.
For three Ames nonprofits, a door into collaboration and unity will open in West Ames as JAX Outdoor Gear closes its doors.
Friendship Ark, the Arc of Story County and Overflow will gain over 21,000 square feet as they move into the JAX campus, 4723 Lincoln Way, later this year as JAX ends its 70-year occupancy at the location.
When they learned the space was available earlier this year, the three Ames-based nonprofits decided to make the move to expand services and space, which will operate as administrative offices, meeting space, recreational facilities and a new thrift store.
“We both found out that JAX was interested in selling at about the same time, and found out that each other was interested,” said Jennifer Ellis, CEO of Friendship Ark. “And so we just kind of came together and said, ‘Hey, can we do something here collaboratively?’ and the idea of the not-for-profit campus kind of worked with that property.”
Prior to the announcement of the future transformation of the JAX campus, the organizations had not worked together but had an overlap of clients and volunteers.
“The opportunity to be on a campus with Friendship Ark and the Arc of Story County is a huge bonus to us, just to be part of and close to folks who are caring for others,” Sandy Swanson, managing director of Overflow Thrift Store, told the Voice.
The organizations will officially close on the property on August 29 and will complete a series of renovations this fall before opening later this year.
Friendship Ark and the Arc of Story County will occupy the west building of the property with renovations estimated to total $4.43 million — $2.83 million worth of renovations for administrative office space and $1.6 million for the planned gym space, Ellis said.
Renovations will include a new recreation and gym space that will accommodate use by Special Olympics athletes, Friendship Ark’s core members and others in the Ames community.
“The renovations are going to be very nature inspired, because we know that that’s really good for people’s mental health,” Ellis said. “It will have a garden space in the interior where, whether it’s staff or community members or visitors, people can come and kind of just take a break and get a chance to be mindful.”
This will be the first time Friendship Ark has had a permanent location in Ames, Ellis said. Since she took over as CEO in 2014, Ellis has seen their business grow from four homes and 20 clients to nine homes and 60 clients. A 10th home is currently being built.
“It’s really important to us to continue to serve as many people as we can,” Ellis said. “We know there’s a lot of need out there, and this will just help us do that.”
The main building will be home to Ames’ third Overflow Thrift Store location.
The original location is at 202 S. Duff Ave. and a second one at 919 E. Lincoln Way, which opened last year.
“We’ve been so blessed in our new store with more donors and more customers,” Swanson said. “Just being able to serve that part of the community is exciting for us, because we continue to see growth in our services.”
Swanson said renovations for Overflow will be minimal on the floor and will include an overhead garage door paid for by operating funds.
The new Overflow Thrift Store expects to be ready for customers later this year.
Friendship Ark and The Arc of Story County hope to move into the new location in early 2026, pending fundraising efforts.
“It will be a campus that has a lot of life to it,” Swanson said.
What happened to JAX Outdoor Gear?
On May 13, JAX announced it would close its doors after 70 years, calling it the “end of an era,” and would complete its time in Ames by “late summer.”
“We have had the pleasure of outfitting you over the years, from your back yard adventures to trips around the world, helping find the perfect products, sharing stories and getting to know the wonderful people of Ames and beyond,” the outdoor gear store stated on Facebook. “We are thankful to our customers for their trust, support and friendship. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey.”
On May 14, the Ames Tribune reported the store was closing “because the property has been purchased by another entity, which has not yet been disclosed.”
Swanson and Ellis confirmed that it was their organizations that will purchase the space.
What is Friendship Ark?
Founded in 2000, Friendship Ark is an Ames-based nonprofit organization that provides residential and community support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to the organization’s website.
Learn more about Friendship Ark on the organization’s website.
What is the Arc of Story County?
The Arc of Story County was founded in 1953. Since then, a series of name changes led to what we now know as “The Arc of the United States” with the mission of providing services which partner with local businesses, providers and community members to enrich the lives of people with disabilities,” according to its website.
The national organization works alongside Friendship Ark and currently operates in the same location, 5820 Lincoln Way, Suite 101.
Learn more about The Arc on the organization’s website.
What is Overflow?
Overflow Thrift Store first opened in 2014 at 202 S Duff Ave. as a way to invest in the community by “recycling and reselling affordable goods,” according to a recent news release.
Swanson says the organization “transform(s) the abundance God brings us into care for those in need.”
Since 2014, Overflow has given $1.1 million to organizations across the globe. This year, it will give over $300,000.
Learn more about Overflow Thrift Store and the organizations it supports on its website.
