The April 2nd Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Anna’s Place, a speakeasy cocktail bar, will move from its current location inside the Hotel Indigo at 18th & Dodge Street to the former Mouth of the South space in the Old Market. The move will be completed late this summer. Owner Devon Mundt said he’s moving because the new space at 1111 Harney Street will have better foot traffic and will allow him to increase seating from 30 to 50 people. The new Anna’s Place will also have room for a built-in waiting room. The eastern half of the old Mouth of the South space will be home to Sakura Ichiban Co.

Omaha Chicken Co. has opened for business at 2414 Patrick Avenue, along the North 24th Street Historic District. According to the restaurant’s social media, Omaha Chicken Co. specializes in “Midwest-style chicken.”

The Breakfast Club will open soon at 2121 South 67th Street in Aksarben Village, in the former Jones Bros. Cupcakes space. The Des Moines, Iowa-based breakfast concept has locations in Des Moines, West Des Moines and Ankeny and is currently hiring staff in Omaha.

Indian Creek Golf Course will open The Sand Room Monday, April 6th, on the lower level of its clubhouse near 202nd & West Maple Road. The lounge will offer food, drinks and golf simulators. The Sand Room has a “moody, speakeasy feel” and is available for walk-ins. The public golf course is open to anyone. The new lounge is part of a completely renovated clubhouse that will also include The Approach, a restaurant opening in late April on the upper level.

Construction is underway for Red Door Woodfired Grill at 6680 Center Street in Aksarben Village, in the former Spirit World space. The Kansas City-based concept plans to open in the second quarter of 2026 and also has a Gretna location current under construction northeast of 192nd & Highway 370.

Omaha Chef David Utterback of Yoshitomo and Ota has been named one of five finalists for Best Chef: Midwest in the 2026 James Beard Awards, marking his second consecutive year as a finalist. Winners will be announced June 15 in Chicago.

Heart Ministry Center plans to open a full-service grocery store on a vacant lot southeast of 26th & Lake Street. RH Land Management, a company associated with the Sherwood Foundation, has consolidated 2.7 acres to build a 24,670 sq. ft. building. Heart Ministry Center is a nonprofit that distributes food to families suffering from poverty and provides workforce training to people recovering from homelessness or reentering society from prison. The grocery store will fulfill the organization’s goal to increase access to fresh food and provide a place of employment for people they serve. The Omaha Planning Board approved a plat of the site this week.

Local entrepreneurs Josh and Courtney Kenney have acquired the Omaha-area locations of Penn Station East Coast Subs through their investment company, JCK Capital. Penn Station is known for grilled-to-order subs, hand-cut fries and freshly squeezed lemonade. The restaurants are located at 168th & West Center Road, 80th & Dodge Street and in Bellevue. The Kenneys are evaluating opportunities to add a fourth restaurant in Gretna within the next two years.

The Amazing Pizza Machine is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this month. The indoor entertainment center and restaurant is located along Millard Avenue at 13955 S Plaza. The Amazing Pizza Machine offers more than 75 items on its buffet plus go carts, bumper cars, rides and other attractions.

M&M Beef and Steak, a new food truck, has opened for business in the Blackstone District, serving cheesesteak and Italian beef. The truck is stationed outside Jay’s Beer Garden at 3724 Farnam Street and is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. M&M is locally owned by Brian Magarro and Joel Marsh, who also owns Noli’s Pizzeria.

Golf Galaxy has opened at 12204 K Plaza in the former Buy Buy Baby space at L Street Marketplace, according to ACCESS Commercial. The 25,000 sq. ft. space is between World Market and ROSS Dress for Less. In addition to being a retail store, Golf Galaxy has indoor golf practice space.

Thrift World has opened two locations at 10910 Emmet Street and 1003 South 24th Street, both in former ReStore spaces operated by Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. The retailer operates eight other thrift stores across Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

Grow Omaha food critic Chris Corey sampled Werner Park’s 2026 concessions offerings during media day last week. The ballpark is upping its culinary game, adding menu items such as Hatch Chile mac-and-cheese, a 2-foot wiener and even alligator meat on pita bread. Read the article HERE.

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

Businesses on Streetcar Route Balance Short-Term Pain with Long-Term Gain

By Kacie Ferrazzo

Omaha’s streetcar project is designed to connect key parts of the city and drive long-term economic growth, but as construction continues, business owners and developers say the short-term impacts remain significant.

Mike Moylan, president and CEO of Shamrock Development, has been involved with the project since its early stages and said its long-term vision is strong.

“I’ve been around the project since its inception and the plan that is in place now is exceptional, because we are connecting two of our biggest economic drivers in the metropolitan area from the med center down to downtown Omaha,” Moylan said.

He described the streetcar as more than a transit project, calling it a strategic investment intended to spur development along its route.

“This is a transportation corridor to spur economic development,” he said, comparing it to the growth seen along West Dodge Road west of 114th Street. “Look what’s happened along the corridor from 114th to Elkhorn. We have the nicest office buildings, the best retail, the best housing, and it’s all been done in a shorter time period because of this investment in a quality and permanent transportation corridor.”

Still, Moylan said the challenges of building that future are being felt in real time, particularly in a dense downtown environment.

“Blocks downtown are like miles out west,” he said. “Out west, if you like to be at Westroads, a mile away is good; 10 miles is not as convenient. Downtown, If you’re a block away, life is good. Ten blocks, not so much.”

Construction disruptions, he said, have been intensified by early planning approaches that did not fully account for the realities of a high-density urban core.

“From the inception of the design and the specifications, it was a very suburban approach,” Moylan said. “They would shut down a street and the sidewalks for many blocks, and down here you just can’t do that. So, it’s had a major impact.”

Moylan said city officials have been responsive as concerns have been raised, though adjustments have required ongoing coordination.

“When the first impact occurred, I reached out to the city, and they did respond,” he said. “They are listening and doing the best they can.”

Day-to-day operations remain a concern for businesses and tenants along the route. Moylan emphasized the importance of maintaining access wherever possible.

“Trying to keep two lanes open on Harney, Douglas and Farnam is imperative,” he said. “Also, if they need to close something for part of the day, reopening it at night and on weekends is really important.”

He noted that evenings and weekends are critical for many downtown businesses, particularly as attractions like the riverfront continue to draw visitors.

“There’s so much commerce and so many people coming down to enjoy downtown,” he said. “People need to understand they can get there and get home without a terrible impact.”

Moylan attended a meeting with the Streetcar Impact Alliance, a group formed to advocate for businesses affected by construction. He said the group has helped bring concerns forward in a coordinated way.

“The best thing is they’re getting a voice and clearly articulating their issues,” he said. “They need to stay strong and keep that communication in front of the city.”

While communication has improved, Moylan said there are still gaps that can affect daily operations, such as blocked parking or limited notice of closures.

“Advance notice needs to be much better,” he said. “Sometimes meters are bagged off and it’s up to us to say they need to be opened and they need to be opened now.”

One of the biggest concerns raised by business owners is the lack of direct financial support for those impacted during construction.

“The group is asking for financial support, and I do feel that was a drastic oversight that should have been addressed in the planning process,” Moylan said.

He said losing established businesses during construction would be a significant setback.

“If we lost more tenants because of this streetcar construction, it will be a shame, because they’re the ones that built the foundation for our community to want and need a streetcar,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Moylan remains confident in downtown Omaha’s long-term outlook.

“As a downtown community, it will survive and it will flourish with the investment in this transportation corridor,” he said.

For Moylan and his company, which has spent decades investing in downtown development, the current disruptions are part of a larger cycle of growth.

“For 30 years, Shamrock has been part of this renaissance of downtown,” he said. “There’s more to come once we get through this pain.”

He said continued progress will depend on strong communication and responsiveness between the city and the business community.

“The bottom line will be communication and reacting quickly,” Moylan said.

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An upscale department store could be heading to the Village Pointe area, but details are scarce and available information is vague. A building permit was filed last week calling for the “demolition of an existing restaurant building” and “Construction of a two-story luxury department store totaling 40,000 sq. ft.”

The address provided is 225 North 170th Street, which according to Douglas County public records, is tied to the freestanding retail buildings on the east side of Village Pointe Shopping Center, including the Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack and Bentley buildings plus two restaurant buildings that were previously Kona Grill and Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse. The Johnny’s building is expected to reopen soon as KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot. The Kona building is vacant and listed for lease.

Representatives for RED Development, which does leasing work for Village Pointe, said they had no knowledge of any buildings being demolished nor of any construction plans for a department store. RED sold Village Pointe to Maryland-based Federal Realty this past December.

The building permit includes a note that says, “Halls KC.” That could a reference to a well-known Kansas City store started by Hallmark founder, Joyce C. Hall, in 1916. It has just one location in Crown Center south of downtown Kansas City. Halls is known for an upscale shopping experience, carrying luxury brands like Gucci and Prada, while providing individualized styling and alteration services. Grow Omaha’s messages to Halls were not returned.

Parkway Development Company, led by Ryan Spellman, plans to build an infill apartment project the Westside area. The developer plans to squeeze a 5-story, 34-unit apartment building onto a .48-acre site at 7630 Pacific Street. The property used to have a single-family residential building. The proposed apartment building will have 34 stalls in a first-floor parking garage. The Omaha Planning Board approved a planned unit redevelopment overlay and rezoning to accommodate the project. Parkway Development previously built the Swivel Apartments near 72nd & Dodge Street and the Centerline by 72nd & Center Street.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center will build a 6-level parking garage northeast of Saddle Creek Road & Farnam Street. The site was previously home to a Don and Millie’s restaurant, which will be demolished. The Omaha Planning Board approved the conditional use permit and the plat this week. The parking garage will have 810 parking spaces and 20,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail space facing both Saddle Creek Road and Farnam Street.

Omaha by Design will host Open Omaha again this year on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open Omaha is a one-day, all-access, city-wide open house. Featured venues are invited to show off their space to the public. Omaha by Design is now accepting venue applications HERE. Last year’s event garnered more than 10,000 venue visits.

A developer plans to rehabilitate and expand a former assisted living facility at 4809 Redman Avenue. The existing 1-story building will be rehabilitated while a 100,000 sq. ft., 3-story building is constructed. The complex will be called the Novalla and will provide senior living. In total, there will be 160 apartments, split between 136 affordable housing units and 24 market-rate units. The total investment exceeds $36 million. The Omaha Planning Board approved a Tax Increment Financing application for $6.3 million. Construction should start this October and be complete by October 2028.

CLAAS Group is building a 44,800 sq. ft., research-and-development center on the southwest corner of its existing Sarpy County property near 132nd & Giles Road. The space will be more than 25 percent larger than the temporary off-site shop currently used for research and development. Completion is planned for fall 2026.

Based in Germany, CLAAS manufactures LEXION combines for North American farmers at its Omaha plant. Omaha also serves as the company’s North American headquarters. Since the plant opened in 2001, it has manufactured more than 10,000 combines. The Omaha campus includes a 162,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant and the recently added CLAAS Training Academy. More than 250 CLAAS employees work on the campus.

Grow Omaha toured one of Nebraska’s largest build-to-rent neighborhoods: Aerie Blue Sage at 204th & Blue Sage Parkway in Elkhorn. Build-to-rent neighborhoods offer a variety of rental housing options in one development, including single-family homes, apartment villas, townhomes and cottages with amenities normally seen only in ownership units. Read our article about Aerie Blue Sage, and its sister development Aerie Heartwood Preserve HERE.

Grow Omaha Snippets are brought to you by Baird Holm LLP, the Exclusive Legal Partner of Grow Omaha. Baird Holm’s dedicated team of real estate lawyers has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate law, including purchases, sales, construction, zoning and land use, leasing, and dispute resolution. Click HERE for more information.

The Omaha metro area continues to lag in information and technology jobs. The Aksarben Foundation, in partnership with the University of Nebraska’s Center for Public Affairs Research, unveiled the Nebraska Tech Workforce Dashboard highlighting keys trends. The dashboard provides real time data regarding state and local trends affecting the tech workforce and hiring.

The metro area has experienced a consistent decline in tech-sector jobs, falling from a high of 19,639 in 2017 to 17,391 in 2025. Much of that drop occurred from 2020-2025, with the metro losing nearly 10 percent of tech jobs. This occurred despite the fact that 15 of Nebraska’s top 20 tech employers are based in the Omaha area. In that same time frame, the United States saw a 13 percent increase of tech jobs.

Legacy Collective celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting this week in Regency Landing at 10730 Pacific Street. Legacy Collective is Omaha’s first exclusive women-only membership club. According to a press release, “members will enjoy curated experiences, networking opportunities and amenities tailored to elevate both personal and professional growth.”

Werner Enterprises, Inc. will release first quarter earnings on Tuesday, April 28, after the market close. The company will also hold a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2026 results and 2026 outlook on the same day, beginning at 4 p.m. CDT.

Mead Lumber has acquired OHC Supply and Guthrie’s Ace Hardware in Guthrie, Okla. With the acquisition, Omaha-based Mead Lumber now operates 56 locations across nine states.

The Omaha area ranks #10 among mid-sized metro areas on CoworkingCafe’s list of Best U.S. Metros for People with AI-Enhanced Jobs. Fayetteville, Ark., was number one. Omaha’s highest ranked metrics were 7th largest coworking network (23 locations), 8th best high-speed fiber coverage (66% metro-wide coverage) and 10th highest volume of new AI job postings (237 openings).

Lutz has been named a 2026 Top 100 Firm by Accounting Today, ranking #73 nationally, up one spot from last year. The Omaha-based firm also ranked third as a Regional Leader in the Midwest.

Hurrdat, LLC, an Omaha-based marketing, media and technology company, has acquired Canary & Coal, an Omaha marketing agency owned and operated by Cheri Duryea since 2019.

The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved above growth neutral for March to its highest level since March 2025.The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, increased to a solid 55.6 from 54.7 in February and a much weaker 49.6 in January, according to Dr. Ernie Goss, director of Creighton’s Economic Forecasting Group.

Best Places to Work in Omaha survey founder Baird Holm LLP, along with program sponsor, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, recently announced the 2026 winners. Companies with 25 to 200 employees: 1. 3G Companies; 2. Lockton; 3. Improving; 4. Supportworks; 5. Stephen Center. Companies with more than 200 employees: 1. Nebraska Cancer Center Specialists; 2. Cobalt Credit Union; 3. Rotella’s Italian Bakery, Inc.; 4. DMSi; 5. Olsson.

Grow Omaha Business News is brought to you by Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner, Inc. (TD2). Since 1967, TD2 has partnered with municipalities, developers, architects and builders to shape the places where people live, work and connect. TD2 provides comprehensive services in civil, structural and geotechnical engineering as well as land surveying, materials testing and construction observation — all with a focus on client service and community impact. Discover how TD2 is engineering Omaha’s future HERE.

Registration is now open for the Reignite to Unite Development Symposium, which is returning for its third year on June 3 and 4. Presented by the Omaha Municipal Land Bank, SPARK CDI and Front Porch Investments, this event brings together professionals from across the development ecosystem who are eager to transform the region through equitable solutions for affordable housing, land activation and community development. This year’s keynote speaker is Charles Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns who was named one of the “10 Most Influential Urbanists” of all time by Planetizen.

SHARE Omaha is hosting its annual Do Good Days this month, inviting people all around the city to give back to local nonprofits and community organizations from April 22 to 25. Do Good Days is a way to discover and contribute to nonprofits that are shaping the community you want to live in. SHARE Omaha connects individuals and groups of all sizes with volunteering opportunities that fit their passions, schedules, skills and more.

On Deck Housing, a nonprofit which builds affordable homes in the Omaha metro, has opened a model home at 6775 Hamilton Street. The brand-new, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is valued at $220,000, although the model is not for sale. On Deck Housing is trying to build 12 similar homes in 2026.

Metropolitan Community College will host more than 100 high school students for its 2026 Automotive Career Exploration Day at the Automotive Training Center on the South Omaha Campus on Friday, April 3. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students will rotate through a variety of hands-on activities in lab areas with MCC instructors and industry partners. Activities include vehicle painting, dent repair, tire repair and more. Representatives from MCC industry-partner companies will present information about local career opportunities throughout the event.

Nick Koonce has been appointed to the board of directors of Lily Haven, a nonprofit dedicated to offering hope and healing to girls ages 14–18, who have survived human trafficking. Koonce is an accomplished security industry leader with more than a decade of diverse experience. He currently serves as the general manager at Atronic in Omaha. He has also worked with organizations such as Heart Heroes, Sammy Strong, 50 Mile March and Open Door Mission.

On April 1, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium officially switched to spring and summer hours, expanding to stay open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

By sponsoring this section, your brand gets in front of nearly 25,000 Grow Omaha newsletter subscribers, who care about our local nonprofits. Our highly engaged nonprofit readers include executive directors, development professionals, philanthropists, community leaders and concerned citizens. For advertising information, contact Karla Steele, Sales Coordinator, at karla@growomaha.com

Why Omaha Is Emerging as a Smart Relocation Destination

By Amy Eurich

As companies across the country re-evaluate where work happens, relocation strategies are undergoing a quiet shift.

Rising housing costs, long commutes and employee burnout in major metros have forced HR and mobility leaders to look beyond traditional coastal hubs. Increasingly, Omaha is emerging not as a fallback option—but as a strategic relocation choice.

One of the most significant factors driving relocation to Omaha is affordability—particularly housing. Compared with national averages and peer cities, Omaha offers accessible homeownership across a wide range of neighborhoods and price points. For relocating employees, this often means the ability to purchase a home sooner, reduce financial stress or maintain lifestyle quality without increasing monthly costs.

Commute time may not appear prominently in offer letters, but it quickly becomes one of the most noticeable post relocation changes. Omaha’s average commute—often well under 30 minutes—stands in sharp contrast to the congestion of larger metros.

For employees relocating from high-traffic cities, shorter commutes often translate into better work life balance, reduced stress and a smoother transition period. For employers, this can improve relocation satisfaction and reduce the risk of early disengagement after the move.

A successful relocation is not defined by the move itself, but by what happens afterward. Omaha stands out as a market where relocated employees are more likely to stay long term.

The city’s combination of affordable housing, strong school districts, family-oriented communities and predictable living costs contributes to higher settlement rates. Employees are less likely to view Omaha as a temporary stop and more likely to put down roots—driving stronger retention outcomes, particularly for leadership and operations roles.

For employers, the takeaway is clear: relocations into Omaha are more likely to result in permanent settlement than in many other markets.

For companies and employees alike, Omaha is no longer just a place to relocate to. It is a place to stay.

Do you have a real estate question? Let’s talk.

Grow Omaha Residential is developed and sponsored by Jill Anderson, President Residential Sales, NP Dodge Real Estate 402.255.5099 or jill.anderson@npdodge.com.

We’re not just real estate. We’re NP Dodge.

Cole Young, Contributing Writer

Greg McDermott will coach his final game at Creighton this weekend, after 16 seasons and 365 wins with the Bluejays. McDermott announced his retirement on March 23. Current Creighton associate head coach and head coach-in-waiting Alan Huss will take over for him at the conclusion of the season.

LOVB Nebraska denied Houston the regular-season championship on Wednesday, with a 3-1 victory in the LOVB Match of the Week. Nebraska (10-9) now sits in third place in league standings prior to the season finale on Saturday against LOVB Austin (8-10) at Baxter Arena, and can clinch one of the league’s four playoff spots with a Salt Lake victory over Austin tonight, or a win on Saturday. That match will not just be LOVB Nebraska’s final home game of the season, it will also be the final home match of Jordan Larson’s legendary 17-year professional career. The club will celebrate ‘Jordan’s Last Serve’ during the match.

Omaha Supernovas duo Brooke Nuneviller and Emily Londot faced off against each other at Saturday’s MLV All-Star Match as members of Team Launiere and Team Meskie, respectively. Londot helped lift Team Meskie to the win, recording six points on five kills and one block while adding four digs. The majority of her production – four kills and all four digs – came in the second set. Brooke Nuneviller started the final two sets of the three-set match for Team Launiere, finishing with five kills and six digs.

The Supernovas (10-10) sit in third place in MLV standings and will break an eight-day hiatus tonight when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Vibe for a 6 p.m. bout. Following tonight’s match, Omaha returns home to host the league-leading Indy Ignite on Saturday, April 4, at 3 p.m. Saturday’s match will feature the franchise’s Blue Out and the first-ever mascot reveal.

Omaha softball swept Kansas City over the weekend, outscoring the Roos 27-0 in three run-rule victories. Pitcher Alexis Wiggins was named Summit League Peak Pitcher of the Week, announced Tuesday, for her efforts in the Mavericks’ dominant showing. Wiggins allowed just three hits in 28 batters faced over two outings.

Omaha (24-7, 6-0) will play its first Summit League road games this weekend, traveling to Grand Forks, N.D., to face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (22-14, 0-3). The series will now be played as a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, and a single game at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 6, due to inclement weather.

Creighton softball lost to No. 8 Nebraska on Tuesday night in front of a sellout crowd of 604 at the Creighton Softball Stadium, 8-2. Nebraska jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Creighton answered in the bottom of the second to tie the game 2-2. Following scoreless third and fourth innings, the Huskers finally overpowered the Bluejays, scoring runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to seal the victory.

Creighton (18-9, 7-2) now returns to Big East play after nearly two weeks, traveling to face Butler (16-10, 8-1) for a series beginning Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

Creighton baseball also fell to its in-state rival, No. 19 Nebraska, on Tuesday night. The Bluejays were down 6-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, where they scored five runs to cut the deficit to one and attempt yet another come-from-behind victory this season. That attempt was thwarted by the Cornhuskers, who controlled the remainder of the game to secure a 6-5 victory and take the early lead in the season series. Creighton, now 13-13 on the season, will open Big East play today at 5:05 p.m. at Connecticut (15-15, 2-1).

Omaha baseball pitcher Sam Beck was named Summit League Peak Pitcher of the Week, following his outing on March 29 at St. Thomas. Beck allowed one run on three hits over five innings in the Mavericks’ 11-7 win. Omaha took the series against the Tommies, 2-1. Omaha will travel to Brookings, S.D. on Saturday, April 4, for a game against South Dakota State at 12 p.m. The first two games of the planned series have been postponed due to inclement weather.

Creighton and Omaha volleyball held an exhibition match last Saturday that followed LOVB Nebraska’s match against LOVB Salt Lake at Baxter Arena. Creighton won the tightly contested match, sweeping Omaha 25-22, 25-16, 29-27. Creighton will play Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri in the UMKC Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, April 11, prior to their home exhibition against Nebraska on Friday, April 17.

Earlier this week, LOVB Nebraska outside hitter Anne Buijs earned her second League One Volleyball Player of the Week honor of the 2026 season. Buijs was named Offensive Player of the Week, helping lead the charge offensively for Nebraska in last week’s pair of wins. She scored 41 points in eight sets, notching 36 kills on an impressive .469 hitting percentage. Buijs has reached double-digit kills in eight of her last nine matches.

Union Omaha defeated Corpus Christi FC on Saturday, 2-1, to improve to 2-1 on the young USL League One regular-season. Omaha narrowly escaped with the win, as Samuel Owusu scored what would be the game-winner in the 93rd minute. Omaha now heads to Lancaster, Calif. to face AV Alta on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CDT.

The Omaha Storm Chasers began their 2026 season over the weekend at Louisville, dropping all three games to the Bats. Omaha is currently hosting its first home series of the season against the Buffalo Bisons. Buffalo took the opener on Tuesday, 6-4, but Omaha secured a 3-0 victory on Wednesday to bring it back to even. Tonight, $3 Thursday returns, where fans can enjoy select concessions, Busch Light cans and select tickets for just $3 each. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

Upcoming Events

• Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Buffalo | March 31 – April 5 | 6:35 p.m. Thursday
• Creighton softball at Butler | April 2 – April 4 | 2 p.m. Thursday
• Creighton baseball at UConn | April 2 – April 4 | 5:05 p.m. Thursday
• Omaha Supernovas at Atlanta Vibe | Thursday, April 2 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha baseball at South Dakota State | Saturday, April 4 | 12 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas vs. Indy Ignite | Saturday, April 4 | 3 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska vs. Austin | Saturday, April 4 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha softball at North Dakota | April 5 – April 6 | 1 p.m. Sunday
• Creighton softball vs. South Dakota | Tuesday, April 7 | 6 p.m.
• Creighton softball at Drake | Wednesday, April 8 | 5 p.m.
• Creighton baseball vs. North Dakota State | Wednesday, April 8 | 6 p.m.

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The Last Remnant of Jobbers Canyon

By Patrick Wyman

Of the dozens of buildings that once made up the Jobbers Canyon Historic District, only one still stands. The McKesson-Robbins Warehouse, tucked within Gene Leahy Mall, was spared while the rest were bulldozed.

Located at 900 Farnam Street, the warehouse was built for M.E. Smith and Company, the largest wholesale dry goods firm in Omaha. Founded in 1870, the company started in Council Bluffs before moving to Omaha in 1886 where it continued to expand and began to manufacture clothing.

The warehouse was one of two buildings that were originally called the Nash Block as they were financed by Catherine B. Nash. Born in Quebec, she moved to Omaha with her husband Edward Nash in 1868 where he served as the president of American Smelting & Refining Company (ASARCO) for a number of years.

Nash hired prominent local architect Thomas Kimball to design the buildings, which stretched along 9th Street from Farnam to Douglas. The two buildings were separated by the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that ran along an alley in between. Among his other work, Kimball designed the old Omaha Public Library and St. Cecilia’s Cathedral.

Kimball designed the buildings in a Renaissance Revival-style with a French Industrial interior. The eight-story warehouse fronting Farnam Street had a full basement and was constructed of a combination of masonry bearing walls and heavy timber. Its exterior included cast-iron lintels, arcing brickwork and arched windows below the roof eaves, corbelled brick cornice and limestone.

It was the first warehouse in the city to utilize modern fire protection including brick enclosures for the stairs and elevators as well as fireproof doors and an automatic sprinkler system. It included other notable features that were not common at the time, including a cafeteria and recreation room in addition to medical and sleeping rooms as well as a nursery.

Then known as the M.E. Smith Building, the company moved in when the structure was completed in 1905 and used it as its offices, factory and warehouse. The company relied on the railroad tracks that cut through the block to conduct its business throughout the western United States and Alaska. While M.E. Smith added a third building in 1920, it filed for bankruptcy and closed by 1925.

The C.B. Nash Company renovated the building in 1927, at which point the Churchill Drug Company leased the warehouse facing Farnam Street. Churchill had recently acquired Omaha-based Richardson Drug Company before being taken over itself by New York-based McKesson and Robbins, lending its name to the building which it continued to use into the 1970s.

The city started purchasing the land east of 13th Street between Farnam and Douglas streets and began razing the buildings to make way for Central Park Mall (present day Gene Leahy Mall) around 1975. Just two buildings were saved, McKesson-Robbins and the Burlington Headquarters.

While the twin warehouse known as the Pendleton Building wasn’t so lucky, by 1977, the city planned to incorporate the former McKesson-Robbins Warehouse into its design for the mall by converting it to an indoor skating rink, restaurant, office space and possibly a children’s museum. Those plans never came to fruition, leading to a subsequent attempt to turn it into a 128-room hotel. That proposal also failed.

The building remained vacant even after it was designated an Omaha Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1985, however, Michigan-based Schneider Development, which had an established track record of converting historic buildings, announced plans to turn it into a 135-unit luxury apartment complex. Despite financing issues that temporarily stalled the project, Greenhouse apartments opened in 1989, around the time the other buildings inside Jobbers Canyon were demolished to make way for Conagra’s campus. The park surrounding it was completed by then, providing a backdrop unlike any other in Omaha.

The developers retained the original wood beams, exposed brick walls, and hardwood floors in the lobby of the building. Other features include thermal pane windows and ceramic tiled bathrooms. Some of the units have fireplaces and built-in bookcases, while others have three levels with spiral staircases leading to a loft. The most notable feature from the outside are the sunrooms that protrude from the northern side of the building overlooking the park and the pond beneath them.

Today, the Greenhouse remains the last physical connection to the jobbing district that fueled Omaha’s early growth. Over the past 120 years, it has witnessed the demolition of its twin, the razing of the historic district, the construction of the downtown park, and later, Conagra’s corporate campus. Soon, the building will once again see a streetcar run outside of its front door in a downtown that continues to reinvent itself.

Since 1917, Bankers Trust has been a leading financial institution for commercial and consumer banking services. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with $7.5 billion in assets, Bankers Trust is the state’s largest privately held community bank. Bankers Trust has operated a loan production office in Omaha since 2008 and opened its first full-service branch in 2025. Visit Bankers Trust at the corner of 192nd and Dodge to see how we can make a difference for all your personal and commercial banking needs.

The Culxr House will host Art Battle Omaha on April 4 at their venue on 3014 North 24th Street at 5 p.m. With live painting featuring local talent, participants will watch as masterful artists craft stunning pieces in 20 minutes per round and vote for the ultimate champion. In addition to the competition, there will be a Kid’s Art Booth, other interactive painting stations and music performances.

The Joslyn Art Museum will host Nights at the Joslyn on April 9 starting at 5 p.m. This month’s free event offers activities including live performances by Omaha Street Percussion, curator conversations with Karin Campbell, Phil Willson Curator of Contemporary Art, and others, as well as creating art and stopping by the shop for beautiful art items. Visit their website for more information.

The Omaha Symphony will perform “Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown & the Philly Sound” on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. and April 12 at 2 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Maestro Ernest Richardson will lead the symphony featuring guest vocalists: Broadway superstar Chester Gregory, vocal powerhouse Crystal Monee Hall and Brik Liam. With hit pop, soul and R&B songs such as “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” “You’ll Never Find A Love Like Mine,” “Love Train,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” and “I’m Coming Out.” Visit their website for more information.

The Omaha Parks Foundation, along with the City of Omaha, announced the 2026 Memorial Park Concert, featuring headliner Smokey Robinson as well as special opening guest CAKE, on Friday, June 26th. The popular summer concert will kick off with the National Anthem at 6:30 p.m. and end with a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Smokey Robinson is a legendary singer, songwriter and former frontman of the Miracles, receiving numerous awards such as GRAMMY Living Legend Award and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

CAKE is an American rock band formed in the early 90s, where they seamlessly blend many genres and influences into their music such as alternative rock, country and funk. They are currently working on their 9th album, due to release later this year.

The CHI Health Center will feature Benson Boone, who just announced his “Wanted Man” tour, coming to the venue on September 1. Boone is an American singer and songwriter who rose in popularity in the last five years. He competed on American Idol in early 2021 and gained more recognition on TikTok with singing videos and snippets of his original music. His 2024 breakout hit “Beautiful Things” topped charts in multiple countries and became the most-streamed song of the year. Presale access has begun, and general access begins April 3 at 11 a.m. Visit here for more information.

Would your business like to reach thousands of readers, who are interested in Omaha’s Arts & Culture scene? Then sponsor this section! To find out how, contact Grow Omaha’s sales coordinator, Karla Steele at karla@growomaha.com.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Grit Matthias Phelps, an instructor at Cornell University, has a technique to fight AI cheating. Once a semester, according to the Associated Press, she introduces her students to the raw feeling of typing without online assistance. No screens, online dictionaries, spellcheckers or delete keys. Her solution? She makes them complete an assignment on an old-fashioned, manual typewriter!

A Quinnipiac University poll revealed that 15 percent of Americans say they’d be willing to have a job where their direct supervisor was an AI program that assigned tasks and set schedules. Quinnipiac surveyed 1,397 adults in the United States and conducted the poll — which included questions about AI adoption, trust, and job fears — between March 19 and 23, 2026. – Reported by TechCrunch

As business colleges face higher operating costs, average M.B.A. tuition has gone up 11 percent over the last four years, according to The Hustle. One of the factors driving up costs are faculty salaries, which jumped 17 percent between the 2020-21 and 2024-25 school years.

SALES

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during negotiations is failing to pay attention to clues, according to sales expert Kelley Robertson. Watch the other person’s behavior and body language. If they look down when asking for a discount, it indicates they may be uncomfortable making that request.

Sales Statistic – 84 percent of executives use social media to help them make major B2B purchases, according to Spotio.

Social Media Prospecting – LinkedIn activity stops producing pipeline results when sales pros are engaging with peers instead of buyers, says Jeb Bount, Jr., of Sales Gravy: “Likes and comments from other salespeople create the feeling of progress without moving prospects forward. The fix is redirecting daily activity toward actual buyers using relevant, problem-focused engagement rather than generic interaction.”

WISDOM

“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” – George Bernard Shaw

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!

Did you know the Omaha metro area added a net population gain of 9,570 people from 2024 to 2025? The metro population now stands at 1,009,836. Douglas County now has 606,460 people, while Sarpy County’s population is 208,303.

Did you know that CHI Health Center Omaha has 32 luxury suites and more than 1,000 club seats?

Did you know Laurtizen Gardens placed third in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest for “Best Botanical Garden” in 2026? Lauritzen Gardens was fifth in 2025.

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.

Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings happening April 4th:
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Omaha. Get your tickets now to discover the music of 90s Hip-Hop on Strings at Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater JCC Omaha under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Yoga in the Garden recurring weekly on Wednesdays:
Breathe, get grounded and enjoy gentle balancing and stretching movement in this Hatha Yoga class that honors the seasons. Take the time to unwind and treat your senses to the beauty of Lauritzen Gardens — a wonderful mid-week break for body, mind and spirit. All levels and everybody are welcome. Bring whatever props (i.e., pillow, mat, cork blocks, bolster, eye-mask, blanket) you feel are necessary to make your practice the most comfortable it can possibly be.

Free Elevator Coworking Day recurring weekly on Thursdays:
Looking for a productive workspace? Join in for Free Coworking Thursday at Elevator! Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., experience professional coworking at no cost. Get access to high-speed fiber internet, meeting rooms, free coffee and a community of entrepreneurs who get what you’re building. Whether you’re launching a business, managing projects or just need to escape your home office, they’ve got the space and support you need.

Spring EGGstravaganza happening April 4th:
Join in for an egg-citing morning! All activities are included with Lauritzen garden admission and FREE for garden members. Bring your little ones to hunt eggs in the arboretum starting at 10 a.m. There will be two separate egg hunt arenas for ages 1-5 and ages 6-12. The last egg hunt will be at 11:30 a.m. Themed crafts will take place in the classroom of Sofia’s Play Garden from 9 a.m. to noon. The Easter Bunny will be hopping around to say hello and pose for family photos! Pre-registration is not required.

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!

Deb Graeve-Morrison is retiring as president of NAI NP Dodge. She will continue to hold Nebraska and Iowa real estate licenses and represent her brokerage clients. Graeve-Morrison has worked in commercial real estate for 35 years, the past 16 with NAI NP Dodge. Prior to that, she worked as executive vice president at Seldin Company in Omaha. She serves on the board of directors for Susan G. Komen Nebraska.

Kutak Rock partner Marcia Washkuhn was selected to serve as chair of the Federal Practice Committee for the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. A labor and employment attorney with more than 25 years of experience, Washkuhn represents corporate and management clients across all aspects of employment law and chairs the firm’s National Employment Group while leading the Omaha Employment Group and serving as Kutak Rock’s employment counsel.

Agemark Senior Living, a senior care company with corporate offices in both Orinda, Calif., and Omaha, have announced six leadership appointments: Ryan Cole, Chief Financial Officer; Ashley Gloystein-Klatt, senior vice president, marketing & communication; Lisa Graham, senior vice president, human resources; Kamal Grewal, vice president of regional operations; Matt Rezkalla, Chief Investment Officer; and Daniel Spicer, vice president of hospitality.

Metonic Real Estate Solutions has hired Jesse Blaser as an asset manager. He previously spent more than five years in commercial banking, most recently as an investment analyst at Northmarq.

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.

“A voice in the wilderness” is an idiom for someone who pontificates an opinion that’s not popular or accepted in polite society. In my little corner of the financial world, Jason Zwieg deserves the appellation “a voice in the wilderness,” because he has the gall to denigrate the mavens of Wall Street in their own newspaper. And, to add insult to injury, the paper pays him big bucks to do it.

Jason writes a weekly column in the Wall Street Journal that appears under the banner, “The Intelligent Investor.” I have been an acolyte of Zwieg’s for several decades, although I differ with him because he doesn’t seem to understand that the majority of mom and pop’s money is in a 401k and their only investment options are mutual funds.

In his most recent WSJ article, Jason alerts mom-and-pop investors that they should expect to be blitzed with once-in-a-lifetime stock picks that would allow them to capitalize on the current goings on in the Middle East. And they will do so in a fashion allows the Wall Street mavens to capture equally significant commissions.

Zweig goes on to opine that, once your friendly local broker (his words not mine) has loaded you up on all of the defensive stocks your portfolio can hold, they will then continue on to the next best commission generator – Gold! What they will fail to point out is that since President Trump began his little excursion – my words, not his – into Iran, gold has dropped more than 12 percent.

So, where have investment gurus gone astray? Same culprit as always. Financial mavens focus on what is logical, while Mr. Market is running on emotional stimuli. While many are focused on Trump’s Iran thing, those who trade in the gold market are watching the dollar, which is going up, making gold less attractive.

At the same time, the guys in the Chicago Board of Trade’s commodities pit are sleeping with one eye open, flummoxed by the Fed’s failure to move the discount rate significantly lower.

Jason concludes his artifice with a mind-bend argument aimed directly at the under forty crowd.

“I want to recommend a quirky metaphorical way of thinking about investing when uncertainty is high. You should think about overhauling your portfolio the way people should, but often don’t, decide about adding tattoos or body piercings. If you get a stud in your navel or a little tattoo on your ankle, you aren’t likely to look back later and kick yourself. If, however, you get a jumbo ring in your nose or I-love-Mike-or-Lisa inked across your chest, or back, you might wake up one day wondering what on earth you were thinking, and unable to undo it without a massive amount of discomfort. Sudden, massive portfolio changes are like that, easy to put in place and hard to reverse, whatever you do. If this war worsens, you should avoid doing anything that can’t be easily and cheaply undone.”

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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