Grow Omaha
News Briefs
Doze & Dig Opens for Business This Week
Doze & Dig, Omaha’s first indoor sandbox, will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event June 24 at 18010 R Plaza southwest of 180th & Q Street ahead of its official opening June 25. Designed for children ages 8 and younger, the business will feature a large kinetic sand play area, sand toys, a sand conveyor belt, party room, baby play area and snack bar. – Nicole Buntgen
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill Opens Elkhorn Location
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill opened this week at 1130 North 203rd Street. That’s southeast of 204th & Veterans Drive near Metropolitan Community College’s Elkhorn campus. The quick-serve restaurant is based in Kansas City and has locations in 14 states. Existing Nebraska shops are in Miracle Hills and at Interstate 80 & Highway 370.
Yelp Ranks Scooter’s Coffee as 13th Fastest-Growing Coffee Brand
Scooter’s Coffee ranked 13th in Yelp’s 2026 Top 50 Fastest Growing Brands report. Scooter’s Coffee’s placement on the 2026 list marks the Omaha-based brand’s third straight year of receiving this national recognition. Yelp’s annual report is based on indicators such as net new locations as well as consumer interest and search growth across categories on the Yelp platform.
Creighton’s Rural Economic Index Shows Growth
Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index expanded above growth neutral this month after four straight months below that threshold. The index surveys bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. The region’s overall reading for June climbed to 52.6, its highest level since July 2023 and up from May’s 45.7.
Site-1 Brewing Closes Downtown Taproom
Site-1 Brewing has permanently closed its taproom at 2566 Farnam Street downtown. The brewery remains in operation, and all of Site-1’s beers will continue to be available at local bars and restaurants.
All-Day Cafe Opening in Former Bubbly Tart Space
There There, an all-day café, wine bar and market, is slated to open this August at 3020 Leavenworth Street in the former Bubbly Tart space. The cafe will focus on European small plates, baked goods and “low-intervention” wines along with a selection of grocery goods. There There will be a local creation owned by Katina Talley of Know Good Eats and Sweet Magnolia’s as well as Ivy Sutton, owner of Idle Wine Bar & Bottle Shop.
Steelhouse Omaha’s Outdoor Patio Reopens Downtown
Omaha Performing Arts announced the reopening of the outdoor patio space at the Steelhouse Omaha at 1100 Dodge Street. The revamped outdoor area includes a 40-foot long concessions bar, seating areas, raised decks and outdoor games. Homer’s, a longstanding record store in the Old Market, will sell vinyl records and music-related merchandise in the patio area. The patio will be open for ticketholders before scheduled events. – Isaiah Ang
Academy Sports Bar Opens Near Charles Schwab Field
The Academy Sports Bar has opened in the recently completed NOVA Apartments building at 12th & Nicholas Street in Millwork Commons. The 4,000 sq. ft. bar is on the ground level of the 5-story building, which has 74 apartment units on the upper floors. The sports bar is located just north of Charles Schwab Field and opened in time for the 2026 College World Series. – Nicole Buntgen
Land Bank Seeks to Transform Malcolm X Neighborhood
The Omaha Municipal Land Bank is offering the largest land assemblage in its decade-long history. Hope Village is a 9-acre package of 65 lots that have been grouped together into a land assembly in north Omaha’s Malcolm X neighborhood. The goal is to transform vacant, abandoned and deteriorated land into housing and community opportunities. Through August 11th, the land bank is seeking applications from developers to purchase and develop the site.
Office Building Planned for 192nd & Q Street Area
Sunshine Stickers plans to build an office building northeast of 192nd & Q Street. According to a building permit, the building will be two stories and have more than 17,000 sq. ft. for office and print-shop use. Sunshine Stickers in an online retailer of custom stickers and labels. – Isaiah Ang
Hy-Vee Plans Major Renovations at 180th & Q Store
Hy-Vee plans extensive interior renovations for its grocery store at 17810 Welch Plaza, which is northeast of 180th & Q Street. According to a City of Omaha building permit, the international kitchen and pharmacy are being renovated, the Starbucks is being relocated within the store, a “sweet shop” department is being added, and there will be an updated customer service counter and floral shop at the front of the store. – Isaiah Ang
Omaha Ranks #2 on Best Cities for Renters List
Omaha ranks #2 among the nation’s 95 largest cities on Forbes’ 2026 list of “The Best and Worst Cities for Renters.” Lincoln is number one, meaning Nebraska holds the top two spots. The rest of the top five includes Raleigh, N.C.; Austin, Tex.; and Oklahoma City. The rankings factored rent-to-income ratios, median rental prices, availability, amenity prevalence and other criteria. The worst cities for renters are Newark, N.J.; Long Beach, Calif.; New York City; Anaheim, Calif.; and Oakland, Calif.
Construction Starts on Panda Express Near Future Bakers Store
Construction has started on a Panda Express restaurant at 4815 South 205th Street in the Kensington Park development northwest of 204th & Q Street. The 2,741 sq. ft. Panda Express building with drive-thru is going up north of an existing Scooter’s Coffee and northeast of the future Bakers Marketplace store, which will open later this year.
Omaha Removes Daily Kitchen Requirement for Food Trucks
The Omaha City Council voted to remove a requirement that food trucks return to a licensed commissary kitchen every 24 hours. Food truck operators argued the rule would create challenges for multi-day events such as Junkstock, concerts and the College World Series. – Nicole Buntgen
A Cut Above Fabric Opens in Bel Air Plaza
A Cut Above Fabric opened for business on June 11 at 12100 West Center Road, Suite 600, in Bel Air Plaza. The 2,000 sq. ft., space is just north of Saigon restaurant. Locally owned by Mariena Busey, the retail store specializes in fabrics and supplies for garment and bag making, while also offering sewing patterns, notions and tools.
OCookieOs Opens First Brick-and-Mortar Location
OCookieOs has opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 2575 South 171st Court in Lakeside Hills Plaza. The space was formerly home to Café Botanica and is between Hertz Car Rental and Raavis Tea. OCookieOs sells gluten-free, high-protein “cookie-donuts” made of with almond and coconut flour. The shop is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Africa on a Plate Restaurant Space Available for Lease
Africa on a Plate, a downtown restaurant serving East African cuisine, has closed at 301 South 16th Street. The 3,970 sq. ft. space is now being marketed for lease. Africa on a Plate opened last November in a space that had previously served as the long-time home of Panda House Chinese restaurant.
Mercredi Market Opening in Old Market Next to La Buvette
Mercredi Market plans to open June 24th at 509 South 11th Street in the Old Market. Locally owned by Nathan Ma, Mercredi Market will be a restaurant/store, offering sandwiches, soups, salads and a coffee program. The space is directly north of La Buvette Wine & Grocery and was most recently occupied by a delicatessen.
Omaha Streetcar Authority Names Steve Jensen as Interim Director
The Omaha Streetcar Authority yesterday named Steve Jensen, a member of its board, as interim director starting July 1. Former interim director Rick Gustafson will remain in place in an advisory role. The authority will conduct a search to find a new full-time director for the Omaha Streetcar project. A former planning department director, Jensen has been serving as a consultant to the mayor since 2016, primarily focused on the urban core and streetcar project.
Good Life Sports Bar & Grill Opens in North Downtown
The Good Life Sports Bar & Grill opened a North Downtown location this past Thursday, just in time for the College World Series at nearby Charles Schwab Field. The new Good Life is located in a 7,258 sq. ft. space on the southeast corner of a 4-story, mixed-use building at 1501 Mike Fahey Street. The locally owned sports bar now has six locations in Omaha, Papillion and Gretna.
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National Pilates Studio Brand Plans First Nebraska Location
A fast-growing Pilates studio franchise plans to open its first Nebraska location in northwest Omaha. Bodybar Pilates has a permit to finish 2,400 sq. ft. in a retail strip building at 17807 Manderson Street near a recently opened Smoothie King. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Bodybar opened 27 locations in 2025 and now has more than 70 across 21 states. – Isaiah Ang
OutKick Writer Shares Omaha Observations During CWS
In a recent column, Trey Wallace, senior college sports reporter for OutKick, shares his views of Omaha during the College World Series. “I took my first flight to the beautiful state of Nebraska eight years ago, and it might be one of the best decisions I've made in my entire life around a sporting event,” Wallace writes. In the article, he mentions a few of his favorite spots: The Drover; Omaha Prime, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Henry Doorly Zoo and the Old Market.
Maharaja Opens Second Location in Papillion
Maharaja Indian Cuisine has opened its second location at 8419 South 73rd Plaza in Papillion, on the southwest corner of 72nd & Giles in the former Miyake Sushi House space. Its original location is in Miracle Hills at 617 North 114th Street. - Nicole Buntgen
City to Reimburse Developer for Stalled Riverfront Project Infrastructure
The Omaha City Council approved a resolution to reimburse NuStyle Development $4.3 million for development costs related to a project at 8th & Douglas Street. The site was intended to be the home of the Omaha’s Children Museum, NuStyle's 17-story apartment building and a city-owned parking garage. The museum put its plans on hold, and NuStyle followed suit. NuStyle incurred significant costs related to infrastructure installation. The site is now in essentially shovel-ready condition for future development. – Isaiah Ang
CSI Plans Improvements at Children’s Square in Council Bluffs
After merging with Children’s Square in the fall of 2025, Child Saving Institute announced plans to begin a series of initial capital improvements to the Children’s Square campus in Council Bluffs later this year. Several of the impacted buildings are between 70 and 115 years old. Renovations will focus on improving safety, sustainability and the organization’s ability to serve children and families. – Mark Champion
Knead2Grow Launches Mobile Grocery Store
Knead2Grow has launched Omaha's first mobile grocery store. The business offers produce, bread, pantry staples and other grocery items through a mobile market that serves customers throughout the metro. – Nicole Buntgen
Hyper Energy Bar Opening Soon in Coventry Development
Hyper Energy Bar plans to open a third Omaha location at the end of this month or in early July at 6735 South 205th Street in the Coventry development northwest of 204th & Harrison Street. Iowa-based Hyper Energy Bar specializes in handcrafted energy drinks, coffees and snacks. The location will offer giveaways and conduct an opening fundraiser during its first few days of business.
Owners of Block 16 Purchase Former Pink Poodle Steakhouse
Paul and Jessica Urban, owners of Block 16 in downtown Omaha, are purchasing the former Pink Poodle restaurant building in Crescent, Iowa. The legendary steakhouse closed last September. The sellers are father-and-son team Bill and Kevin Novak, who bought the building last year and started exterior renovations. The Urbans plan to start with weekend prime rib nights, a throwback to the Pink Poodle, featuring a five-course dinner that will require reservations. The yet-to-be-named restaurant will eventually add a full daily menu. The opening date is to be determined.
Construction Work Begins on Borsheims Renovation
Borsheims has begun construction of its major renovation at Regency Shopping Center. The project includes an open-concept showroom redesign, an updated luxury salon and an entrance vestibule. The 20,000 sq. ft. jewelry store will remain open throughout construction. - Nicole Buntgen
MAMMOTH Roller Coaster Opens Tomorrow at Fun-Plex
Fun-Plex’s MAMMOTH roller coaster opens to the public tomorrow – Friday, June 12 – near 70th & Q Street. MAMMOTH is 2,000 feet long and rises 70 feet in the air. Fun-Plex says the ride is the biggest roller coaster ever in Nebraska.
Omaha Household Credit Card Debt Ranks Low Among Major Cities
Omaha ranks #142 among the nation’s 182 largest cities for household credit card debt, according to WalletHub. Omaha’s average credit card debt is $11,978 per household. Lincoln is even lower at #167. Cities with the highest credit card debt are Santa Clarita, Calif; Chula Vista, Calif.; and Pearl City, Hawaii. The lowest debts are found in Lewiston, Maine; Madison, Wis.; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Beam Signing Marks Progress at Gretna Landing Health Center
Nebraska Medicine and Noddle Companies held a beam-singing program this morning, marking the installation of the final piece of structural steel of the Gretna Landing Health Center. The 125,000 sq. ft. building is located northwest of 192nd & Highway 370 and will open to patients in the second half of 2027. The center is part of a 31-acre, mixed-use project that will also include retail, restaurant, service and residential uses.
City Garden at New Central Library to Undergo Makeover
The Omaha Public Library announced it will upgrade the City Garden just outside the new Central Library at 72nd & Dodge Street. The outdoor courtyard will close for approximately three weeks, so construction crews can make improvements based on how the public uses the space. The rest of Central Library remains fully open, and all main entrance doors will be accessible during normal hours.
Yard House Plans to Open First Omaha-Area Location
Yard House apparently plans to open its first Omaha-area restaurant in the Avenue One district southeast of 192nd & West Dodge Road, according to a City of Omaha building permit dated June 3. The free-standing building would be located at 19051 Davenport Street and would include an outdoor patio. Founded in California in 1996, Yard House has about 100 restaurants nationwide with the closest existing ones in Kansas City.
Henry Doorly Zoo Reopens Stingray Beach Exhibit
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has reopened its Stingray Beach attraction following a year of enhancements to infrastructure, care protocols and habitat design. Stingray Beach allows visitors to interact with animals. Zoo employees are present throughout the exhibit to facilitate interactions and feeding opportunities.
Let It Fly West Under New Ownership
Let It Fly Sports Bar West is under new ownership. Michael Alan, who recently opened a Let It Fly in Lincoln, purchased the west Omaha location at 1311 South 203rd Street. The original ownership group retains the downtown location at 1080 Capitol Avenue. Alan plans several improvements, including more comfortable bar stools and upgraded booth seating. “Whether you support Nebraska, Creighton, UNO or any other local team, everyone is welcome here,” Alan said.
Land Bank Graduates Ambassador Program Class
The latest cohort of the Omaha Municipal Land Bank’s Ambassador Program graduated last week. The program is designed to teach a diverse cohort of potential board applicants and community advocates, provide information and experience regarding the Land Bank’s programs and potential impacts and connect the Land Bank with community members. The Land Bank is currently accepting applicants for the 2026-27 Ambassador Program. – Mark Champion
Salvation Army Omaha Summer Dinner Program
Salvation Army Omaha has begun serving free dinnertime meals out of trucks parked at various parks around the metro as part of its Family Meals of Hope program. This is the program’s second summer, with the first serving more than 8,000 meals. Trucks will be serving each weeknight at Miller Park, Benson Park, Hitchcock Park and the Community Bible Church parking lot. – Mark Champion
Nebraska’s First Proton Beam Radiation Device Arrives at UNMC
UNMC’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center received a state-of-the-art proton beam therapy system Saturday. The 17-ton device was transported from Boston and will allow Nebraska Medicine to deliver highly targeted radiation therapy to precisely treat tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. It’s the first such system in the region as there are currently no proton therapy facilities in Colorado, Iowa, Wyoming or the Dakotas.
City Holds Groundbreaking for New Gallagher Park Fields
The City of Omaha held a groundbreaking program yesterday, officially kicking off construction of new baseball and softball fields in Gallagher Park at 2936 North 52nd Street, next to Benson High School. The $5 million project is possible because of fundraising efforts by the Benson High School Foundation as well as class-of-1958 alumni Djel Ann Brown and the late Paul Brown.
