Friendship Ark's 'Bootique' gives old Halloween costumes new life at Beautiful Land market in Ames

Beautiful Land Market’s pop-up on Sunday will feature a “Bootique,” an affordable shop with gently used Halloween costumes.

The market will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the downtown Ames Fareway parking lot, 619 Burnett Ave.

Friendship Ark Homes and Community Services is organizing its second annual Bootique, which has a two-fold strategy — accepting donated costumes and selling the donated items to children and adults looking for Halloween outfits.

“We feel so very blessed to be able to partner with Beautiful Land Market. It really has been a great opportunity for Friendship Ark and our core members,” said Beth Lucht, a recruiter and scheduler with Friendship Ark. “Friendship Ark is a local nonprofit organization that celebrates the uniqueness of adults with intellectual disabilities by providing homes and community services. We help our core members reach their fullest potential through faith, family and friendship.”

Natalie Seibold, Friendship Ark’s community relations specialist, came up with the idea for the Bootique, Lucht said. Seibold thought it would be a great idea to collect gently owned Halloween costumes and sell them for free-will donations to fundraise for Friendship Ark.

“This is a win-win, because it not only helps parents save money on having to purchase a costume that may only be worn once, but also supports a wonderful cause and allows our core members to get involved in their community,” Lucht said. “Additionally, this resonates with the theme of repurposing and re-using that appeals to so many Beautiful Land marketgoers and shoppers.”

In addition to shopping for costumes, Beautiful Land Market visitors can drop off donations during Sunday's pop-up. Or throughout the year donations can be brought to Friendship Ark's office, which is located at 130 S. Sheldon, Suite 203, in Ames.

On Sunday, Friendship Ark will also give out treat bags that have been dyed, created and decorated by core members. All funds raised go directly to supporting Friendship Ark.

“We have a record 75 vendors — hand-makers, artists, designers, vintage collectors and repurposers,” said Jody Bergan Bennett, co-owner of Beautiful Land Market.

“We have a few new vendors for this pop-up and some returning who haven't been with us since last fall. Art By Bach is a local Ames artist, Brooke Hartman. And Tuuli Farm brings botanically dyed yarn, lambskins, wool ornaments from her flock of sheep.”

The complete list of vendors is available on the Beautiful Land Market website, beautifullandmarket.com.

Live music for the day includes Lauren Ashworth from Day Music from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the Britches & Hose ukulele group from 2-4 p.m.

Fareway will have an array of pumpkins and mums. Food truck vendors will include Sandwich Studio, The Funny Onion, Nacho Daddyz and Huey's Donuts. Mobile boutiques will be b.e. good and Mazie’s Mobile Shop.

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“We remind visitors that with the city lot torn up, there is on-street parking nearby, a few open lots near and space behind Main Street,” Bergan Bennett said. “We want to encourage people to shop and explore downtown and Main Street area businesses and restaurants, too.”

Wings of Refuge is a nonprofit that will have a booth on Sunday. The organization provides long-term safe home opportunities to survivors of sex trafficking and helps with their healing and restoration.

The Ames High Art Department will also have a booth featuring student work for sale, which will raise money for the students’ Memory Project. They will also be accepting monetary donations toward the project.

With the donations, Ames High School art students will create portraits of children from Ukraine, so that they can send a message of kindness, respect and encouragement to them. The portraits will be on display at the Ames Public Library throughout December. They will be delivered to the children in Ukraine at the end of December.

Admission to the family-friendly market is free, and the first 100 visitors will receive free market totes.

Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Beautiful Land Market in downtown Ames Sunday to feature 'Bootique'