T. Galaxy shoppers may find a little more variety in the merchandise the next time they stop by the store.

T. Galaxy has opted to expand its operations in a recent agreement to purchase Newell Enterprises, Inc., an apparel company based in Huxley.

Barry J. Nadler, president of Nadler Brothers Company and owner of T. Galaxy of Ames, recently announced his plans to purchase Newell Enterprises, Inc., and to consolidate its operations in Ames.

“The two companies fit together very well since they have each developed a separate niche in the screen printing, embroidery and novelty business that will complement the other for further growth,” Nadler said.

“We’ll have opportunities for additional merchandise that we haven’t been able to carry in the past,” said Karey Bishop, T. Galaxy director of sales and operations.

She said she is hopeful the merge will be a success.

The operations and employees of the two companies will be consolidated on Feb. 1 in an expanded production facility of Nadler Brothers Company, 405 Northwestern Ave., Ames.

Newell Enterprises, Inc., which owns Zoodas and Hurricane fashions, has provided promotional and corporate apparel and novelty items for corporations throughout the United States, including some of the nation’s major breweries.

Zoodas began operating in 1982 under the supervision of Jay Newell. His first product was a novelty item known as the Beverage Loop Short, a pair of shorts with a beverage holster attached.

Howard Newell, Zoodas president, will be joining Nadler Brothers Company upon completion of the purchase.

“The joining of production and sales facilities of T. Galaxy and Zoodas will result in one of the largest screen printing, embroidery and novelty operations in Iowa,” Newell commented.

T. Galaxy began in Ames in 1976 under the leadership of Doug and Mary Harms.

Barry and Jamie Nadler, owners of Nadler Brothers Company, invested in T. Galaxy in September 1994, and gained sole ownership of the company in October 1995.

T. Galaxy has retail locations in Ames, Okoboji, West Des Moines and Boulder, Colo. The Ames T. Galaxy retail store will continue to operate at 206 Welch.

Nadler Brothers Company and Sigler Printing and Publishing, Inc., of Ames operate the Cyclone Clothing Company, the officially licensed apparel company of the ISU athletic department.