Grow Omaha
News Briefs

MINISO has opened a store at Nebraska Crossing in Gretna. The store is located in the northwest part of the mall between Nike and Paradise Bakery. MINISO is a Chinese retail chain with approximately 8,000 stores worldwide. Nebraska Crossing’s website describes MINISO as a “global lifestyle retailer offering a curated selection of toys, plushies, collectibles, stationery, beauty essentials, home goods, fragrances, electronics and snacks.”

Some 5,000 Omahans have been selected randomly for a survey designed in partnership with University of Nebraska at Omaha researchers. Residents who do not receive a postcard can still participate. The two surveys are part of “We Make Omaha,” the city’s new comprehensive plan, which will map out Omaha’s growth over the next 20 years. Both surveys are available at wemakeomaha.org/event/survey. Residents who receive a postcard should use their unique four-digit access code to complete the survey rather than take the open-access version.

The Bath & Body Works store at Oak View Mall is closing permanently. According to the store’s recorded voicemail message, the last day of business is Saturday, January 24. Bath & Boyd Works operates seven other stores in the Omaha metro area.

Prime IV Hydration & Wellness, an IV therapy and wellness spa, has opened at 7474 Towne Center Parkway in Papillion’s Shadow Lake Towne Center. The wellness concept offers intravenous hydration therapy, vitamin and nutrient infusions and injections aimed at energy, immunity, recovery and overall wellness. - Nicole Buntgen

Base Kamp is working on two additional locations. Its existing shop is located inside Nebraska Furniture Mart next to the longstanding Subway restaurant. The business model includes locally roasted coffee and other drinks, including beer and wine. Base Kamp is nearing completion of its location in Midtown Crossing next door to Garbo’s Salon. In a recently filed building permit, the business is also planning to build a 266 sq. ft. kiosk in Regency Shopping Center. - Isaiah Ang

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha announced today that it has sold its two ReStores to Thrift World, which operates eight second-hand and thrift locations in a three-state area. The sale will be final on March 1. The ReStore locations at 10910 Emmet Street and 1003 South 24th Street, will then be operated under the Thrift World brand. The sale includes buildings, inventory and trucks. Proceeds will be directed to Habitat’s core programs to build, finance and repair houses, as well as provide counseling and education to families.

Data Axle, a provider of business and marketing data, has leased a 9,168 sq. ft. office space at 11340 Blondo Street, according Ryan Ellis, CEO of PJ Morgan Real Estate, whose team handled lease negotiations. Data Axle was founded in Omaha, and in year past, was known as Infogroup. – Grow Omaha Staff

This year’s Shine the Light on Hunger Campaign raised a record-breaking $4.95 million and collected 216,237 pounds of nonperishable food to provide more than 15 million meals for neighbors in need. The annual campaign has invited community members to donate nonperishable food items to orange bins at participating locations around town for the past 19 years. Donations go to Food Back for the Heartland. – Mark Champion

A 32-acre greenfield site in the Southport West commercial area may finally see development. The La Vista City Council reviewed a Planned Unit Development Plan Amendment and Preliminary Plat in this week’s meeting for a site northwest of Westport Parkway & Giles Road. The mixed-use development would include a 41,000 sq. ft., indoor recreation facility right on that corner. Future development includes a restaurant, dog park, brewery, multi-family housing and a possible TopGolf-like facility along Interstate 80. – Isaiah Ang

State & Liberty will become Village Pointe Shopping Center’s newest retailer when it opens its first Nebraska store. According to a building permit for remodel, the clothing store will take up approximately 1,000 sq. ft. State & Liberty is a men’s fashion store, specializing in business casual and dresswear using stretch material and having a more athletic fit. The Michigan-based retailer’s closest location is in Kansas City but it has more than 40 locations throughout the country. - Isaiah Ang

A second Yoshitomo is apparently planning to open in downtown Omaha, according to a City of Omaha building permit to remodel an interior space at 1105 Harney Street in the Old Market. The space is just west of Jams American Grill and was prevously occupied by Mouth of the South. Yoshitomo is a nationally recognized sushi restaurant in Benson, founded David Utterback, a multi-time James Beard Award finalist. Utterback also has an omakase within Yoshitomo called Ota as well as Koji, a yakitori restaurant in Countryside Village. - Isaiah Ang

El Muchacho Alegre plans to open a Papillion restaurant at 8810 South 71st Plaza in the Shoppes at Market Pointe. The building was previously occupied by On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, which closed one year ago. Renovations are underway. El Muchacho Alegre has existing locations at 6222 North 72nd Street and 10177 South 168th Avenue.

Nonprofit Association of the Midlands released a new report titled “Economic Impact of Nonprofits in Nebraska.” Report highlights include some impressive stats, like how 5,483 501(c) organizations operate and filed 2023 IRS Form 990 in Nebraska, or that $23.1 billion in revenue was generated by Nebraska nonprofits in 2023. Read the full report here. - Mark Champion

Barnes & Noble will open its third Omaha location at Avenue One, the mixed-use development near 192nd & West Dodge Road, according to KETV. The bookstore will join retailers including Arhaus, West Elm, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn. Barnes & Noble currently operates Omaha-area stores near Oakview Mall and at Shadow Lake Towne Center. - Nicole Buntgen

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha is selling both its ReStore locations to a local thrift-store operator. The nonprofit stores sell new and used building materials, home décor and appliances at discounted prices with proceeds helping pay for new affordable houses. The ReStores will remain open. Employees have the opportunity to keep their jobs. The ReStores are located at 10910 Emmet Street and 1003 South 24th Street. Selling the stores allows Habitat to focus solely on Omaha’s growing housing shortage. – Mark Champion & Jeff Beals

Attic Salt and Merle Norman will not renew their leases at Westroads Mall at 10000 California Street. Attic Salt, a gift and apparel retailer, is expected to close by January 31. Merle Norman, a long-running cosmetics store, will also close as its owner retires after 35 years in business. - Nicole Buntgen

Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based chain of mega gas stations, plans to open its first Nebraska location in Gretna’s Good Life District. The 74,000 sq. ft. store would be located on 43 acres southeast of Interstate 80 & Highway 31. That’s south of Nebraska Crossing and east of Flying J. To pave the way for the project, the City of Gretna voted to annex the land at last night’s meeting, according to Mayor Mike Evans. Buc-ee’s stations attract customers from hundreds of miles and become tourist attractions unto themselves. The closest existing Buc-ee’s are in Northern Colorado and Springfield, Mo.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, a Houston-based restaurant, will open its first Nebraska location in the summer of 2027 in the Avenue One development southeast of 192nd & West Dodge Road. The 11,000 sq. ft. restaurant will seat up to 350 guests and feature Perry’s “Rare and Well Done” experience, open kitchen, wine wall, Bar 79 with island seating, patio dining and four private rooms. Perry’s has 23 existing locations in nine states, with the closest existing ones in Chicago and Denver. – Nicole Buntgen

Taqueria Tijuana has signed a lease at 307 North 114th Street for its third location. The Mexican restaurant will operate in a 2,250 sq. ft. space formerly occupied by Which Wich, according to Todd and Will Schneidewind of NAI NP Dodge, who represented the landlord in lease negotiations. Taqueria Tijuana’s original restaurant is at 5139 South 24th Street in the South Omaha Main Street Business District. The second location is at 12242 K Plaza in the L Street Marketplace.

Francesca’s, a women’s boutique chain, is closing all brick-and-mortar stores after more than 25 years in business. The Houston-based company has not announced when stores will officially close. Francesca’s currently operates three locations in the Omaha area, including Westroads Mall, Nebraska Crossing and Village Pointe. - Nicole Buntgen