Ames saw some exciting new openings in its retail community in the past year – from a huge furniture store to a small vintage clothing shop. All of the new locations have made an impact by providing local residents and visitors with a variety of retail options.
The August closing of JAX Outdoor Gear after 70 years in west Ames resulted in the opening of two new retail spaces: CrawDaddy Outdoors in downtown Ames and Overflow Thrift’s third store in west Ames at the former JAX location.
Here is a list of some of the key retail openings in Ames in 2025:
Furniture Mart
Furniture Mart USA opened its 91,000-square-foot facility Thanksgiving week on the north side of S.E. Fifth Street between Target and Walmart. Anticipation had been building since news about the local store broke a year ago, as it’s the first large-scale furniture retailer in Ames in more than two decades. The facility has one of the largest selections of home furnishings in central Iowa. The $7 million development is expected to generate $9 to $10 million in annual sales.
CrawDaddy Outdoors
CrawDaddy Outdoors opened a holiday pop-up at 327 Main St. where they will officially launch in March after renovations are finished. Ames is the first expansion for the Waverly, Iowa-based outdoor gear store, which is family-owned by Jamie and Renee Borglum. The couple firmly believes the company’s motto: Adventure is for everyone. They plan to offer classes, multi-day adventures, day trips, custom outings and team-building experiences along with their retail store, which features everything an outdoor enthusiast or novice needs. With more than 50 models, CrawDaddy has the largest selection of kayaks in the state.
Overflow Thrift Store
Overflow Thrift Store has breathed new life into the former JAX Outdoor Gear building. The Ames-based thrift store opened its third location Nov. 15 at 4723 Lincoln Way. With 8,500 square feet of floor space, Overflow Thrift features a large variety of clothing, furniture, home goods, collectibles and other thrifting treasures. Overflow renovated one of two buildings formerly occupied by JAX Outdoor, which closed in August after 70 years in Ames. Overflow Thrift invests in the community by recycling and reselling affordable goods. It also flows money back into good causes, locally and globally. Since 2014, Overflow has given more than $1.1 million to local organizations such as YSS and Boys & Girls Clubs of Story county as well as some international groups.
The Slow Era
A unique new store in downtown Ames offers one-of-a-kind items and a bright, colorful atmosphere. The Slow Era, a shop with vintage clothing and handmade items, opened Feb. 4 at 130 Main St. Owner Malena Magnolia said The Slow Era is perfect for people who are ready to usher in a new era that “opposes the corporate, consumerist framework which steals from artists, devalues objects and mass produces poorly made items for profit at the expense of workers and the planet.” Magnolia collaborates with other vintage curators who share a mission to curate “really good, quality things that people can wear over and over again.”
b.e.good
After several years operating a mobile boutique, Bridget Good’s business, b.e.good, has grown to include a brick-and-mortar location at 301 Main St., Suite 108, in downtown Ames. Her grand opening was March 8. Good’s catchphrase is “Be happy. Be kind. Be good.” It’s a motto prominently displayed in her boutique. Good said the strong, independent women who raised and influenced her are great examples of the motto. “When people walk in here, I want them to be able to feel that,” she said. With an apparel merchandising degree from Iowa State University and an internship in 2019 with celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger in New York City, Good has a clear vision for her store. Good’s name inspired the b.e.good name, pronounced “be good.” Her middle name is Elizabeth, which is where the “e” comes from…