The March 12th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Talus Spirits & Sustenance soft opened March 10 at 17205 Evans Street in Whispering Ridge. The restaurant had originally planned to open March 2 but delayed due to permitting. Hours this week are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 8 p.m., with a grand opening date and full hours to be announced soon.

Let It Fly opened a “Skybar” this week at its west Omaha location at 1311 South 203rd Street. The rooftop bar will be open to the public year round on the building’s second floor.

North Italia will celebrate Pi Day starting March 14 with a limited-time Reuben pizza available only at its Omaha location through April 10. The Omaha-inspired pie features corned beef, aged Swiss, house-made sauerkraut and Russian dressing. A Nashville Hot Chicken pizza will also debut nationwide, and $1 from each Pi Day pizza sold will benefit a local hunger relief organization.

Chuck E. Cheese is looking for sites in the Omaha metro area for its Adventure World concept. The Dallas-based, kid-oriented, pizza-and-game chain opened its first Adventure World location last November in Arlington, Tex. The concept is an indoor playground for families with kids ages 3 to 8.

Dairy Chef is now open for the 2026 season. The locally owned ice cream and burger shop is at 3223 North 204th Street in Elkhorn.

Construction appears to be imminent for the Dillard’s department store at Westroads Mall in the former Younker’s building. Grow Omaha reported in January that the renovation and expansion of the building would begin sometime this quarter. Recently, a building permit was filed for the remodel of the existing 177,000 sq. ft. building. The expansion will add approximately 32,000 sq. ft. on the west side of the building.

Construction has gone vertical on the future Baker’s Marketplace store northwest of 204th & Q Street. At 123,000 sq. ft., Baker’s Marketplace will be approximately 55,000 sq. ft. larger than traditional Baker’s stores. The property will include a Baker’s fuel center. The store will employ more than 300 people.

A pharmacy will open in a former eye care storefront in the Clocktower Village retail strip by Westroads Mall. According to a building permit for remodel, the 2,000 sq. ft. space at 605 North 98th Street, Suite 625 will be remodeled for RX Westroads.

Another Pilates studio is opening in west Omaha near 180th & Q Street. Lanoha Development recently completed a new retail strip building at 17662 Welch Street. According to a permit for new tenant improvements, a Pilates studio named Forme 402 will be one of its first tenants.

Noa Brides, an indie bridal shop, is rebranding as Rosette Bridal and taking appointments at its new Old Market Passageway location at 1060 Howard Street. The business, previously at 1419 South 13th Street in Little Bohemia, offers made-to-order gowns, off-the-rack options and vintage attire. Its former space will become home to the soon-to-open Ware House Comedy Theater.

Drip & Breathe by Sakoon opened recently at 1529 South 203rd Street in the Elkhorn area. The business provides medical grade IV hydration and wellness therapies. Targeted IV drips include hydration, immunity, energy, recovery, performance, detox and beauty-focused blends.

Indigo Cottage Crafts, a DIY arts and crafts studio, closed March 7 at 2063 Creekside Drive in Papillion. The business opened in August 2023 and will hold a public sale of furniture, equipment and supplies on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn more about Anderson Convenience market at www.Anderson1952.com

Osaka Blends Hibachi Fun, Flames & Hospitality

By Chris Corey

Osaka Steakhouse and Sushi Bar opened next to La Vista’s Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in March 2019. Originally from China, married restaurateurs Michael and Amy Chen dreamed of owning Japanese-style restaurants. While they’ve since put down roots in Omaha, their restaurant journey started in Illinois.

They opened their first restaurant in the small town of Galena, Ill. It was the first realization of their dream.

“We spent years learning, improving and pouring our hearts into creating a place where people could gather around the table and feel warmth, celebration and connection,” Amy said.

The Chens have two children, and as their family grew, they began thinking more seriously about where they wanted to build their lives. They wanted broader opportunities, more exposure and a city that would allow both the family and business to grow.

“Leaving Galena wasn’t easy,” Amy recalled. “It was where we started, struggled and where we proved to ourselves that we could succeed.”

A friend introduced them to Omaha. “The first time we visited, we felt something different,” Amy said. “We realized Omaha was not just a place to open a bigger restaurant, but a place to build a future.”

Jennifer and I sampled a good portion of the menu, starting with cocktails, appetizers and sushi rolls before taking in the full hibachi experience.

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Development Momentum Continues at Millwork Commons

By Kacie Ferrazzo

Development activity continues to accelerate at Millwork Commons, the rapidly evolving neighborhood just north of Charles Schwab Field.

According to Jeff Slobotski, director of business and ecosystem development for the development company PGSA, several construction projects now underway will further expand the area’s residential, hospitality and retail offerings.

“There’s a lot of activity going on,” Slobotski said. “The neighborhood itself is built as an area for entrepreneurs, creatives, artists and nonprofits. It’s a community of innovative people and organizations.”

One of the most visible projects currently moving forward is a city-owned parking structure planned just east of the Ashton Building. The garage will include approximately 650 parking stalls and about 10,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail space.

At the same time, an apartment building called The Frame will rise just west of the Ashton Building. The project will add approximately 150 residential units along with another 10,000 sq. ft. of street-level retail space.

“That will be the third apartment building in Millwork Commons,” Slobotski said. “That will put us at about 700 units in our development.”

The additional housing is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the neighborhood as a true live-work district rather than simply a collection of office buildings.

“I think the apartments in our development, as well as the adjacent developments, really make Millwork Commons a true community, a true home, a true neighborhood,” Slobotski said. “It’s a really vibrant, high-energy neighborhood where there’s something going on virtually every night.”

One of the most anticipated projects in the district is the new Millwork Hotel, a boutique hotel planned just south of the Ashton Building. Slobotski said construction is expected to begin soon.

“We’ll get started on the hotel here virtually in a matter of days,” he said. “This month is what we’re hoping for. We’ll start in March, if not the beginning of April. Everything is full steam ahead.”

Developers are targeting an opening in October 2027.

The hotel is designed to offer something distinct from traditional chain properties. Plans include a rooftop bar and a signature restaurant along with design elements meant to highlight Omaha’s creative culture.

“A lot of the art and different things you’ll see in the hotel are unique to Omaha itself,” Slobotski said. “It’s not a chain where you’re not sure which city you’re in.”

Beyond new construction, Millwork Commons is also seeing growth from companies already located in the district. Slobotski pointed to two technology startups in particular.

One is Workshop, which he described as “probably Nebraska’s fastest-growing startup.” The company is preparing to expand its space in the Ashton Building.

Another company, Marble Technologies, is relocating from Lincoln to Millwork Commons. The startup focuses on artificial intelligence solutions for the meatpacking industry.

Those types of companies fit squarely within the district’s vision.

“Those two startups we’re excited to have in the neighborhood and continue to grow,” Slobotski said. “It puts Millwork on the map for companies like that — high-growth, high-technology startups.”

Looking ahead, another project that could significantly impact the area is the proposed soccer stadium for Union Omaha.

Slobotski said they’re enthusiastic about the project and the potential energy it could bring to the neighborhood.

“There’s a number of different ways that will bring additional energy and foot traffic,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have that project. It sounds like everything is moving in the right direction.”

He said the stadium could also create synergy with nearby businesses.

“That will mean folks staying in the Millwork Hotel, visiting the restaurants before or after the match,” Slobotski said. “I think it will bring a lot more families and kids down to the neighborhood as well.”

As development continues, the district remains focused on local businesses rather than national chains.

“The retail and food and beverage that we have today are all local, unique to Omaha,” Slobotski said. “You won’t necessarily find a Starbucks, but you’ll find Archetype Coffee.”

For Slobotski, that local focus is central to the neighborhood’s identity.

“When people come into the city and say they want the best of local or they want to get a taste of Omaha’s food scene,” he said, “ideally Millwork Commons is top of the list.”

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When it comes to large transportation projects, such as the Omaha streetcar, many people wonder, “Why does it take so long to build?” Eric Miller, streetcar operations manager for the City of Omaha, answers that question in our latest Grow Omaha transportation column.

Construction is underway a 15-unit apartment building on a long-vacant lot at 3513 Howard Street in the Blackstone District. Known as 35Howard, the 3-story building will have studio, one- and two-bedroom units. First-time developers Josh Sullivan, Justin Spooner and Dylan Vogt said the project would not be possible without the future streetcar and the zoning changes that came with it. Completion is planned for this May.

Nebraska Medicine has officially announced construction of $99.3 million Farnam Health Center on the southeast corner of 42nd & Farnam Street. The 4-story building will provide services for dermatology, general Internal medicine, outpatient gastrointestinal program and behavioral health. The building is partially funded by donors. The doors will open to patients in September 2027.

The nearly completed CORE Building at the University of Nebraska Medical Center includes ground-floor retail space that’s now available for lease. The 6-story building southwest of Saddle Creek Road and Farnam Street will contain office and laboratory space. Four first-floor bays are reserved for retail tenants, according to Noddle Companies. The building is part of the university’s EDGE District, a mixed-use extension of the campus.

WalletHub ranked Omaha #6 on its 2026 list of Best Cities for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations. WalletHub compared America’s 200 largest cities across 15 metrics to find the best places to wear green and have fun on March 17th. The top city was Boston. Other high-ranking cities in our region were Overland Park, Kan. (#4); St. Paul, Minn. (#8); Chicago (#11); Madison, Wis. (#12); Springfield, Mo. (#17); and Minneapolis (#20).

Construction is underway on Indian Creek Village, a residential development east of 192nd Street between Grand Avenue and Fort Street. Plans call for 63 residential lots on 15.7 acres. The development’s entrance will be off Grand Avenue.

Hausmann Construction is building an office for itself in La Vista. The Lincoln-based construction company is constructing a 2-story, 15,000 sq. ft. building in Southport East that will function as its Omaha-area regional office. The lot is southeast of East Southport Parkway & South 123rd Plaza. Occupancy is planned for late summer. The company’s current office is at 11627 Virginia Plaza in La Vista.

A longstanding Old Market tenant is moving down the street. Urban Abbey, a bookstore and coffee shop that holds weekly worship services, is currently located at 1026 Jackson Street. A building permit was filed this week to remodel an 8,400 sq. ft. building at 1516 Jones Street. This building was the former location of the Joy Night Club.

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D.R. Horton, the nation’s largest homebuilder by volume, is purchasing Omaha-based Celebrity Homes’ lots and floor plans. Founded in 1977, Celebrity Homes plans to finish building houses it currently has under construction and will remain in business to honor warranties. Celebrity’s remaining 1,200 lots across the Omaha area will be built out by D.R. Horton, which is based in Arlington, Tex.

Elite Learning Academy & Preschool opened its fourth location this week at 2205 North 181st Street in Elkhorn. Founded in 2019 by Allison and Greg Acero, Elite Learning Academy’s three existing schools are in Omaha and Gretna. The early childhood education center serves infants through pre-kindergarten and offers “a play-based curriculum focused on building confidence, curiosity and kindergarten readiness.”

Edwards Auto Group is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony today to mark the grand opening of Edwards Kia of Council Bluffs at 3600 South Expressway Street. The dealership features a modern showroom with the complete Kia lineup, an expanded service center with advanced diagnostic and repair equipment and a larger vehicle inventory.

Koenig|Dunne, a divorce and family law firm, is moving its offices to 7013 Dodge Street. The firm is renovating the former Wolf Bros. Western Store, currently The Hitch space. The firm has been at 1266 South 13th Street in the Little Bohemia neighborhood in 2000. The Dodge Street renovation is currently underway and expected to be completed by May 1.

Lustra Smile Studio, a cosmetic dental studio, opened earlier this winter at 1529 South 203rd Street, Suite 105, inside Bodysculpt by Sakoon. Lustra offers unlimited cleanings with membership options, advanced air polishing, professional grade teeth whitening and cosmetic add-ons such as tooth gems.

Werner Enterprises is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026. The Omaha-based, Fortune 1000 company was founded in 1956 by CL Werner with just a single truck.

The Learning Experience Elkhorn is celebrating a grand reopening under new ownership on Saturday, April 11th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 3310 North 191st Avenue, The Learning Experience provides early childhood education from infancy through preschool.

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The Women’s Power Luncheon helps fund the Women Build Program, which empowers women volunteers to build Habitat Omaha homes. This year, these volunteers will work on multiple houses in the Bluestem Prairie development near 52nd and Sorensen Parkway.

The Sports For Kids Foundation will host its 35th annual Benefit Auction & Dinner on Saturday, March 14 at the DC Centre. The event will feature over 200 items, including world-class sports memorabilia, entertainment collectibles, vacation packages and more. Proceeds from the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser go toward year-round support of children with disabilities and their families, with a focus on those who have limited financial resources.

This year’s auction features autographed jerseys from Caitlin Clark, Steph Curry and Cristiano Ronaldo; helmets from Patrick Mahomes and Christian McCaffrey; and a signed item from musician Taylor Swift.

Nebraska Humane Society is hosting a Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic for cats and dogs this Saturday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. In addition to vaccination services, the clinic will also offer licensing and microchipping.

Girls Inc. of Omaha is hosting Stand Up For Girls 2026 today, March 12, at the Holland Center. The event aims to highlight what is possible when a community invests in its girls. This year’s event will feature programming which celebrates the stories and experiences of Girls, Inc. Artist and Comedian Jessi Realz will headline the event. Handcrafted art and jewelry will be available for purchase, with proceeds going toward programming for Girls, Inc. in Omaha.

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Cole Young, Contributing Writer

Josh Dix was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Big East Sportsmanship Award. Dix joins Mitch Ballock (2021) and Steven Ashworth (2024) as the third Bluejay to be recognized with the award since Creighton joined the league. Per the Big East, Sportsmanship Award winners are strong contributors to their respective teams on and off the court. The league’s head coaches nominate and select the award winners and cannot vote for their own players.

LOVB Nebraska dominated LOVB Salt Lake on Saturday night in the state’s first regular season professional volleyball game played outside of Omaha, sweeping LOVB Salt Lake in front of a sold-out crowd at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island. LOVB Nebraska has now won two matches in a row and will face LOVB Madison tonight at 7 p.m. Tonight’s match can be streamed on ESPN+.

Creighton baseball pitcher Jack Pineau was named the Big East Pitcher of the Week by the conference on Monday. Pineau threw six scoreless innings during the Bluejays’ 2-1 win over Gonzaga in the opening game of last weekend’s three-game series, good for his second win of the young season.

Creighton faced defending back-to-back national champion and No. 13 LSU on Tuesday, and jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the third inning. LSU reclaimed the lead, 6-4, on a grand slam from Omar Serna Jr. in the fifth inning and didn’t let go of it, walking away with an 8-4 victory over the Bluejays.

Creighton will stay put in Louisiana this weekend to play a three-game series against Tulane. Play begins on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Omaha baseball was held winless in the Gopher Tournament, hosted by Minnesota this weekend at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Mavericks will look to get back in the win column this weekend, when they get their first Summit League action this season. Omaha will host North Dakota State for a weekend series at Tal Anderson Field, with first pitch set for Friday at 4 p.m.

Creighton and Omaha baseball will meet next Wednesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. for the first iteration of their crosstown rivalry this season. It will be the first of two meetings within seven days for the two programs, with the second game coming Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. The two programs will meet three times this season, March 8 and 24 at Charles Schwab Field, and April 22 at Omaha’s Tal Anderson Field. Tickets for next Wednesday’s game are now on sale.

Omaha softball dropped both games of its in-state rivalry against Nebraska this weekend, falling 4-1 on Saturday and 10-2 on Sunday to the Huskers. Omaha will travel to St. George, Utah this weekend for a tournament where it will face BYU and Utah Tech once each on both Friday and Saturday. Play will begin against BYU on Friday at 12 p.m.

Creighton softball is on a five-game winning streak, and started Big East play with a 3-0 series sweep of Seton Hall over the weekend. Creighton will play its first home games of the season when it hosts Providence this weekend for a three-game series. Friday’s game against the Friars will be the first game at Creighton’s new state-of-the-art softball stadium. Due to weather concerns, Friday’s game, originally scheduled for 5 p.m., has been moved to 3 p.m. Sunday’s game has been moved to Saturday, with the two teams now playing a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

Creighton softball’s Lily West, Brooklyn Patchen and Zoey Greenwood swept the Big East’s weekly awards following their sweep of Seton Hall last weekend. West was named Player of the Week, Patchen the Pitcher of the Week, and Greenwood earned Freshman of the Week honors. Senior Lily West went 5-for-6 in Friday’s series opener, and became the 11th Bluejay in program history to eclipse the 200-career-hit mark.

The Omaha Supernovas closed a three-match road stand on Tuesday night against Columbus by snapping a franchise record six-match losing streak with a sweep of the Fury. Leading the charge for the Supernovas was Sarah Parsons, who recorded an Omaha three-set record 18 kills on a .441 efficiency, while providing a match-high 12 digs. Omaha will return home on Saturday, March 14, for “Luck of the Novas” against league-leading Indy Ignite at 7 p.m. At Saturday’s match, $1 beers will be available.

Volleyball After Dark is returning to the CHI Health Center on April 10. The Omaha Supernovas announced that they will host the Nebraska-Kearney (UNK) and Wayne State volleyball programs for a spring match as part of the franchise’s second annual “Volleyball After Dark Showcase”. Last season, Creighton and Omaha participated in the event. First serve between UNK and Wayne State is scheduled for 5 p.m., leading into the Supernovas’ match against the Grand Rapids Rise at 8 p.m.

Creighton women’s basketball had a trio of Bluejays honored by the conference when it announced its postseason awards last Thursday. Freshman Ava Zediker earned a unanimous selection to the All-Big East First Team and also joined the Big East All-Freshman Team along with teammate Neleigh Gessert. Graduate senior Grace Boffeli was named All-Big East Honorable Mention. Creighton’s season was ended on Sunday in the semifinal round of the Big East Tournament by No. 1 UConn, 100-51.

Omaha women’s basketball had its season ended last Thursday, falling 87-37 to the Summit League’s top seed North Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the Summit League Women’s Basketball Championships. In the loss, freshman Avril Smith passed Barb Hart for the most rebounds in a single season in program history with 380.

Omaha men’s basketball also had its season ended by top seed North Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the Summit League Men’s Basketball Championships, falling to the Bison 74-50 on Saturday night. North Dakota State scored the first 11 points of the contest and held that lead for the remainder of the game to defeat the Mavericks for the third time this season.

Omaha hockey was defeated in two games by top seed North Dakota in the quarterfinals of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff over the weekend. Omaha finished its 2025-26 campaign 12-24 overall and 8-16 in NCHC play.

Upcoming Events

• LOVB Nebraska at LOVB Madison | Thursday, March 12 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. BYU | Friday, March 13 | 12 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Providence | March 13 – 14 | 3 p.m. Friday
• Omaha baseball vs. North Dakota State | March 13 – 15 | 4 p.m. Friday
• Creighton baseball at Tulane | March 13 – 15 | 6:30 p.m. Friday
• Omaha softball vs. Utah Tech | Friday, March 13 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers at Tri-City Storm | Friday, March 13 | 7:05 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. BYU | Saturday, March 14 | 12 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Utah Tech | Saturday, March 14 | 3 p.m.
• Omaha Queens FC at Iowa | Saturday, March 14 | 4:30 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers at Tri-City Storm | Saturday, March 14 | 6:05 p.m.
• Omaha Kings FC at Iowa | Saturday, March 14 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas vs. Indy Ignite | Saturday, March 14 | 7 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska at LOVB Salt Lake | Saturday, March 14 | 8 p.m.
• Omaha Queens FC at Iowa | Sunday, March 15 | 2:30 p.m.
• Omaha Kings FC at Iowa | Sunday, March 15 | 5 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers vs. Lincoln Stars | Sunday, March 15 | 5:05 p.m.
• Omaha baseball vs. Maine | Monday, March 16 | 4 p.m.
• Creighton baseball vs. Omaha | Wednesday, March 18 | 6 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Iowa State | Wednesday, March 18 | 6 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska vs. LOVB Atlanta | Wednesday, March 18 | 7 p.m.

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The Surviving Twin Tower

By Patrick Wyman

Amidst the streetcar construction, where Farnam Street intersects Turner Boulevard, is a building with a 1960s aesthetic that dates back more than 100 years.

The building was constructed by the Western Motor Car Company in 1919. The company was founded by Charles Hannan two years earlier after leaving his position as the director of City National Bank of Council Bluffs to get into the automobile business.

The Western Motor Car Company originally distributed Chalmers automobiles in addition to Peerless, Maxwell and others. Later known as Hannan-Odell-Van Brunt Ford/Lincoln when Robert Odell and George Van Brunt joined the company, it became a prominent early Ford dealership in the Midwest.

The building located at 3000 Farnam Street was constructed by George W. Stiles Construction Company of Chicago on land owned by the Hannan family, one of the wealthiest of Council Bluffs. The company hired architect George L. Fisher to design the six-story Classical Revival-style building that was constructed of steel, brick, stone and reinforced concrete at a cost of $474,000. It had 15,000 sq. ft. of floor space, storage capacity for more than 1,000 cars and service facilities.

The north side featured “twin towers” that contained unique 30×30′ high-capacity elevators that were large enough to carry vehicles to the upper floors of the building.

The first floor was the showroom and contained entrances to the service department that had a capacity to handle 30 to 40 vehicles at a time. The second floor was used to handle repair work with parts and paint on hand. The third and fourth floors were used for storage. The top two floors were used to store cars.

By 1923 the company moved west to 3852 Farnam Street and closed in 1928 when Ford revoked its license. The Omaha-based company claimed Ford had breached its contract, which led to a bankruptcy filing. Its founder passed away months later at just 43 years old.

After sitting empty for four years, the Chicago-based mail order company Sears, Roebuck & Company opened its first Omaha store in the building in 1928. They spent $200,000 renovating the building. The work was completed by Peter Kiewit & Sons and included tearing out partitions, installing new floors and stairways, plastering and interior decorating.

Four floors were utilized as the retail store with the remaining floors and basement used for storage. It was the 25th Class-A department store the company opened and carried merchandise across every department store line.

The store with “luncheonette” service was one of their largest, and Omaha was selected due to its strategic location in the central west. Sears utilized it as their primary retail store in Omaha until moving to Crossroads Mall in 1960.

While it was briefly considered as a site for a police headquarters in 1961, it was ultimately purchased by Julius Novak who owned a car dealership in addition to holding public office. He hired Kiewit to convert the former retail store into an apartment complex called the Twin Towers.

Designed by architect James W. Nicas in the modern style, only the floor slabs and columns of the original building were retained, while three additional floors were added. The renovated building utilized metal, glass and transite curtain walls along with a decorative concrete screen at the main entrance and balconies. It also featured a large neon “Twin Towers” sign that faced east toward downtown.

When the Twin Towers opened in 1962, the first two floors were utilized as commercial space while the basement held offices. The upper floors had 129 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Nearly half the units had balconies while 10 penthouses had rooftop patios with redwood flooring. Each floor had storage and laundry facilities.

Immediately north of the original building, the second of the twin towers was built facing Douglas Street in 1966, along with an underground parking garage. The newer building was renamed Twin Towers Office Centre by the mid-1980s, at which point it was converted entirely to office space. After sitting vacant for a number of years, the 11-story north tower was razed in 2013 while the garage was retained.

In 1984, real estate investor H. Michael Cutler purchased the south building and converted the apartments into condominiums. The upper floors remain condos today while the ground level commercial space, most recently home to Dice Communications, continues to turn over. Starting as the home to one of the region’s most ambitious auto dealerships, it has outlasted nearly everything around it and still stands even as the area continues to evolve.

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The Omaha Film Festival has begun. Here are a couple of highly anticipated films being featured this weekend:

The World Premiere of the drama feature BONDING will play Friday, March 13 at 8:05 p.m. at Aksarben Cinema. Directed by Victoria Trofimenko, her first American feature, BONDING follows three estranged siblings reuniting at a remote ranch, each one with an agenda, colliding under the influence of a powerful tech billionaire. These tensions force the siblings to face and reconcile with the past. Some of the cast and filmmakers will also attend the screening.

Andrew Troy’s Midnight in the Orange Grove will play at the Aksarben Cinema on Sunday, March 15 at 11:45 a.m. This film is an 11-time award-winning and 25-time nominated feature film co-written by Guinevere Turner, most known for American Psycho, as well as produced by Warren Anzalone and co-starring Ashton Igo, both Omaha natives. Based on a true story, the film tackles the devastating realities of domestic violence, where a young art student discovers her adoptive mother’s medical diagnosis, reflects suppressed childhood memories, therapy sessions unveil a painful truth and encounters a mysterious woman from her past.

BLUEBARN Theatre will present Primary Trust by Eboni Booth from March 26 through April 19. Directed by Kathy Tyree, it is the fourth show of BLUEBARN’s 37th season: BELONG, and recently won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Experience a story with the power of friendship and triumph over tragedy. The journey of old friends, Kenneth and Bert, as Kenneth loses his job, is forced to push past boundaries and reconcile with his past. Tickets are on sale now! For more information, visit their website.

Omaha Performing Arts has just announced Bluey’s Big Play, the hit theater show returning later this year at the Orpheum Theater on Dec 16 and 17. Based on the popular children’s television series, join Bluey and her family in a theatrical adaption featuring brilliantly created puppets, original music created by the show’s composer, Joff Bush, and family fun for all. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 13 at 10 a.m.

Omaha Performing Arts announced the 2026-2027 Broadway Season at the Orpheum Theater. Season subscriptions are available and on sale now. To see the whole list, visit here.

Death Becomes Her: Oct 27–Nov 1, 2026
Maybe Happy Ending: Dec 8–13, 2026
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Jan 20–27, 2027
The Phantom of the Opera: Feb 17–28, 2027
The Great Gatsby: March 30–April 4, 2027
The Sound of Music: April 27–May 2, 2027
Hell’s Kitchen: June 22–27, 2027

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Did you know the 16th floor of the future Mutual of Omaha headquarters tower leads to outdoor terraces on both the south and north sides of the building? The terraces overlook the Gene Leahy Mall and will have landscaping and seating areas where employees can work outside or take breaks.

Did you know Boys Town was named a National Historic Landmark in 1985?

Did you know Fun-Plex plans to open a roller coaster this summer? Known as “MAMMOTH,” it will be 2,000 feet long and will rise 70 feet in the air. Fun-Plex says the ride will be the biggest roller coaster ever in Nebraska.

This section is sponsored by Lockbox Storage, an affiliate of Omaha-based McGregor Interests Inc. We provide storage solutions for all of your storage needs. Our facilities have full-time managers and bright lighting to provide superior security for your belongings. In addition to space for rent, we also provide packing supplies, protection plans and locks along with complimentary handcarts and dollies. Visit LockBox Storage and let us help you with all your storage needs.

Hercules happening March 13th: The English Concert returns to Opera Omaha to perform Handel’s spectacular Hercules. Fresh from battle, Hercules returns home victorious, but his wife Dejanira is consumed by fear that he has been unfaithful. Her jealousy sets off a tragic chain of events that no amount of glory or strength can stop. With Handel’s soaring arias and powerful choruses, Hercules reminds us that the devastating consequences of mistrust can bring even the mightiest to their knees. Returning to Nebraska as part of their three-stop U.S. tour, The English Concert, under the leadership of conductor Harry Bicket, brings some of the world’s finest musicians to Omaha.

St. Patrick’s Day Party happening March 14th: Embrace the Irish spirit at this St. Patrick’s Day Party! Join this free event at Smash Park in La Vista for a day of luck, laughter and great company. Score big with incredible drink deals all day long and test your skills in our Giant Pong Tournament. No registration required!

The Official Lucky’s St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl happening March 14th: Get ready to experience the ultimate St. Paddy’s Day celebration! On March 14th, join us for an unforgettable bar crawl filled with green drinks, shamrocks and non-stop fun! We’ll be hopping between the best bars in Omaha, enjoying exclusive drink specials, festive giveaways and all the lively energy of St. Patrick’s Day. Gather your crew, wear your green and get ready for a day packed with good times and great company.

Riverfront Supper Club happening March 18th: Once a month come gather around a long table for a family-style dinner with friends – new and old. Riverfront Super Clubs have become a destination for foodies in Omaha to come and enjoy seasonal menus created by our chef. It makes a perfect date night or group outing. The menu will give praise to early spring and all the tender produce available during this season. The ticket price includes a signature cocktail and welcome bite, followed by a three-course, family-style meal at the long table against the backdrop of the ever-flowing Missouri river!

This section is sponsored by Eagle Mortgage, a locally owned, full-service mortgage company helping you with Conventional, VA, FHA and USDA loans in both Nebraska and Iowa. Learn how Eagle Mortgage helps people afford the home of their dreams by clicking HERE!

Bankers Trust announced that Samantha Mosser, current president, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Des Moines, Iowa-based bank upon the retirement of current CEO Don Coffin on June 30. Mosser has been president since 2025. Before that, she was the bank’s Nebraska market president and was based in Omaha.

The Omaha Press Club will honor Omaha police chief Todd Schmaderer tonight as its 185th Face on the Barroom Floor. Schmaderer joined the Omaha Police Department in 1996 and has served as chief since 2012, making him the longest-serving police chief among all major U.S. cities. Last year, he signed an agreement with the City of Omaha to extend his term as chief another five years.

The Greater Omaha Chamber is a catalyst and connector, advocating for businesses small and large. Learn, share and grow with more than 12,000 professionals from 3,000 member businesses across Greater Omaha. Click HERE to see our latest events.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

A recent study published in Harvard Business Review suggests that instead of making work easier, AI may be giving some workers what researchers call “brain fry,” according to CBS News. Researchers surveyed 1,500 workers and found that people constantly bouncing between multiple AI tools reported more decision fatigue and more errors. About one in seven workers said they had experienced mental fatigue from juggling AI tools at work.

Researchers tracked 355 adults over 13 days using daily diary surveys and found that professional artists tend to experience negative emotions the morning after their most creative days, even though creativity, while in the process of making art, reliably improves their moment-to-moment feeling states, according to Hyperallergic, an online publication for artists. Even if you’re not a professional artist, perhaps you’ve experienced a “creative hangover?”

The number of jobs added by women was nearly three times that of men in 2025, according to The Hustle. Much of the growth stemmed from the strength of the health care and education industries — two fields in which women dominate the job pool.

One of the great hopes for artificial intelligence is that it’ll ease workloads, freeing people up for more high-level, creative pursuits. So far, according to the Wall Street Journal, the opposite is happening. A recent study showed AI is increasing the speed, density and complexity of work rather than reducing it. The study showed that AI has doubled the amount of time workers spend on software platforms, while time spent creating and strategizing fell 9 percent.

SALES

Closing a sale involves a series of small commitments before you get the big commitment at the end of the process.

These little commitments are sometimes referred to as “miniature closes.”

By simply agreeing to meet you, a prospect makes a mini commitment. Similarly, you complete mini closes when prospects agree to review your proposal, introduce you to an additional decision maker at their company or admit that they need to change their current situation.

Similar to mini closes are “test closes,” techniques to gauge how interested prospects are. Not only do test closes indicate whether you’re on the right track or making progress, they also help move the prospect closer to the final buying decision.

How do you do a test close? Often, they begin with simple words such as:

• “If you…”
• “What would happen if…”
• “Before we move on…”
• “If I understand you correctly…”
• “In your opinion…”

“If you implemented this system, would it be easier to hold your team accountable?”

“What would happen if you didn’t make this change?”

“Before we move on, if we were to work together, what parts of the program most appeal to you?”

“If I understand you correctly, the most beneficial result of using this product would be speeding up your product launches, right?”

“In your opinion, would it be worth an extra investment to get 50 percent more performance?”

Instead of being obsessed with the final close, focus on the next step in the process. Each time you get one of these commitments, you’re a little closer to the end prize, the big close.

WISDOM

“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon

Building Omaha is a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) & the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together, we provide the highest level of trained electricians for residential, low-voltage, or commercial construction projects. Visit buildingomaha.org to learn more. Earn while you learn and apply for our Apprenticeship Program by clicking HERE!

A week ago, the skies over the Middle East were filled with more rockets than Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The following Monday morning, the Wall Street Journal opined that there would be a massive response on Wall Street to the Middle East missile fusillade.

The inference from these reports was that the ginormous response on Wall Street would come from a bunch of rocket-scientist wanabes, sitting in a windowless room, computers humming softly in the background, calculating the financial impact of the rockets flying in the Middle East. (Note the incredibly clever way I have tied rockets in the Middle East to rocket scientists on Wall Street).

In the midst of all of this massive sell-off jibber jabber, inquiring minds have to ask, “Who’s selling what and why?” A short answer is not rocket scientists.

If it were rocket scientists, they would calculate the potential reduction of oil flowing from the Middle East, divide that number by its impact on the following quarter’s GDP, adjust it for change in both the CPI and wholesale price index, then factor in the impact that the increase in of the price of oil would have on the cost of delivering goods, adjusted by the Fed’s projected response in their commercial lending rates to make the cost of capital appropriate for this current position in the business cycle.

The contagion actually began late Sunday night on the Chicago Board of Trade. A bunch of options traders started speculating that the immediate impact of the activity in the Middle East would be a market decline, a binary observation. In response, they then bought and sold options based on the jibber jabber emanating from their crystal balls.

As we approached the market’s opening the next day, the high-speed traders turned on their computers, seeking price discrepancy among the systems 23 electronic exchanges. The high-speed traders have massive computers that can make trades within a 1,000,000th of a second,

And then to add insult to injury, the hedge funds with their $7 trillion war chests joined the fray. The hedge fund computers were poised to respond to key words flashing across the news feeds. They were joined by several thousand traders employed by the legacy Wall Street firms who couldn’t care less about the underlying economic fundamentals.

At its lowest point of the day, the S&P 500 was down more than 2 percent. At the close it was down .4 percent.

Ninety-nine percent of the trades made that Monday morning came from a gaggle of computer server farms scattered randomly across the vast American landscape, each one programed in a fashion that reflects the twisted minds of its math-PhD programmers.

It was not the result of massive financial calculations on the part of investors.

I wanna close this edition of my incredibly insightful commentary with the words of the 1970s rock band OK Go: “This Too Shall Pass.” Moral of the story – Never bet against the powerful American economic engine.

Grow Omaha’s Wall Street section is now available for sponsorship. Nearly 25,000 people subscribe to this newsletter, and as a group, they are influential, affluent and highly educated. That makes this section particularly popular! For advertising information, contact Karla Steele, Sales Coordinator, at karla@growomaha.com

Quantum Fiber in Omaha, Nebraska, is super-fast, reliable internet. We did away with data caps, bundles, and pricing gimmicks because you don’t want them. Instead, you get game-changing customer service, transparent pricing, and a powerful app for freedom, simplicity, and control over your internet. Quantum Fiber is what internet service looks like when it’s built for the world of you.

The Grow Omaha radio show broadcasts live every Saturday morning at 9:00, but now you can watch videos of each episode instead of just listening.

Grow Omaha’s brand-new website features video footage shot inside the radio studio during each week’s show!

Videos include News of the Week, Lightning Round, guest interviews, and “Grow Omaha Uncut,” a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during commercial breaks.

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