Three local nonprofits are collaborating to create a new service and retail location when JAX Outdoor Gear closes in west Ames.
Friendship Ark, The Arc of Story County and Overflow Thrift Store have purchased the sites at 4723 and 4803 Lincoln Way. The organizations will begin renovating the buildings after JAX closes in late August.
“What I love about this project is that it will become a not-for-profit community resource campus,” said Sandy Swanson, Overflow’s managing director.
Although the use of the property is changing, all three nonprofits are excited to continue the legacy of service JAX offered Ames for 70 years.
Capital campaigns to help fund the project will soon be underway.
“Ames is such a philanthropic community,” said Jennifer Ellis, CEO of The Arc of Story County. “That allows us to not be competitive with each other. Ames is so philanthropic and has so many wonderful organizations that people support strongly.”
Friendship Ark, The Arc of Story County will fill the west building
Friendship Ark and The Arc of Story County will renovate the 4803 Lincoln Way building, which is where JAX currently has its clothing and shoe department. The building will be home to the two organizations’ administrative and programming offices.
The nonprofits are seperate entities despite both serving people with disabilities and having shared the same office for many years.
The new building will be fully accessible and will provide spaces — such as an interior reflection garden — for client enrichment, Ellis said.
A new gym will be built for Special Olympics athletes, Friendship Ark’s core members, and others in the Ames community.
With extra office space available, the west building could act as an incubator for smaller nonprofits. Future collaboration with other community partners may include meeting and recreation space.
Overflow Thrift Store unveils plans for third store
Overflow Thrift will renovate the east JAX building, which currently houses the camping department. It will be Overflow’s third retail store in Ames, with other locations at 919 E. Lincoln Way and 202 S. Duff Ave.
The new store will expand thrifting opportunities for Overflow customers and donors in west Ames as well as nearby Boone County. Overflow will begin accepting gently used donations at the former JAX location in October. They’ll open for shopping in early November.
Overflow’s proceeds benefit several local organizations, such as The Bridge Home and Martha’s House of Hope, and four international groups. Swanson said they donated $216,000 in 2024. They are on pace to give even more, roughly $300,000 in 2025.
This partnership between Friendship Ark, The Arc of Story County and Overflow represents an ongoing commitment to support their clients and other nonprofit organizations in Ames.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Friendship Ark, the Arc and Overflow Thrift plan to take over JAX property. What to know:
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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