Use two WP Query in template

Question

Yes, you can use two instances of WP_Query as long as you call the wp_reset_postdata function, just like you did in your code.

You’re missing the while statement and posts_per_page for WP_Query array argument item.

<?php
 $query = new WP_Query( array( 'post_type' => 'item_a', 'posts_per_page' => -1 /** Show all **/ ) );
 if ( $query->have_posts() ) : while($query->have_posts()) : $query->the_post(); ?>                    
   <!-- show item_a posts -->
   <?php the_title(); ?>
<?php endwhile; wp_reset_postdata(); ?>
<?php else : ?>
  <!-- show 404 error here -->
  <p>404 error</p>
<?php endif; ?>

<?php
  $query = new WP_Query( array( 'post_type' => 'item_b', 'posts_per_page' => -1 /** Show all **/ ) );
  if ( $query->have_posts() ) : while($query->have_posts()) : $query->the_post(); ?>
  <!-- show item_b posts -->
  <?php the_title(); ?>
<?php endwhile; wp_reset_postdata(); ?>
<?php else : ?>
  <!-- show 404 error here -->
  <p>404 error</p>
<?php endif; ?>