Grow Omaha
News Briefs

Nathan Phillips “Sandy” Dodge, IV, passed away January 11th at age 89. After graduating from Harvard University and serving in the U.S. Air Force, Dodge returned to Omaha in 1962 to become the fourth-generation leader of the NP Dodge Company. He served on the boards of Methodist Hospital, Omaha Public Power District, Omaha Community Playhouse Foundation, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the American States Water Company and many others. Dodge is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kate, three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His son, Nate Dodge, is the current CEO of the NP Dodge Company.

Szechwan Bistro, a new Chinese restaurant, will hold its grand opening January 16 at 9820 South 71st Plaza near 72nd & Cornhusker in Papillion. Soft opening is today, January 13. The restaurant serves Sichuan-style cuisine with dishes like mapo tofu, kung pao chicken and twice-cooked pork, along with vegan options. – Nicole Buntgen

Skutt Catholic High School at 3131 South 156th Street plans to build an athletics building. According to City of Omaha documents, plans include an addition to existing buildings consisting of a 41,000 sq. ft. building with a 48-foot roof height. The athletics facility, named the “Skyhawk Performance Center,” will house an interior sports field and track, locker rooms and a weight room. – Isaiah Ang

Developers created more condominium units in Omaha in 2025 than the previous year, but overall condo development remains extremely light. According to attorney Bob Dailey, a condo expert at McGrath North, 56 condo units were created in 2025 primary conversions in existing buildings. Forty-six of them were residential; 10 were commercial. Though the state of Nebraska enacted a pro-condominium law years ago, no traditional condo buildings have been built in Omaha in recent years.

Crews have demolished a 3-story, 20,000 sq. ft., hotel building at 2211 Douglas Street to make way for an affordable apartment project. The building was once the 402 Hotel, and before that, an EconoLodge motel. It was most recently used as a non-congregate shelter before going vacant. Hoppe Development plans to build a 73-unit, mixed-income, senior housing community with more than half of the units affordable to households earning at or below 60 percent of the area median income. The first residents could move in during the fall of 2027.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska plans to build a health clinic at their campus near 84th & Park Drive. The Tribe has operated from the former InfoGroup headquarters since 2018. The 11.25-acre campus includes the offices, tribal court, community space, transportation center, ceremonial sweat lodge and childcare facility. The previous 96,000 sq. ft. building that temporarily housed a health clinic facility has been razed to make way for the 42,000 sq. ft. health clinic. The current location of the Tribe’s Fred LeRoy Health and Wellness Clinic is at 2602 J Street in South Omaha. The Tribe will relocate the existing clinic after construction. – Isaiah Ang

The Peach Cobbler Factory will soon open its first Nebraska location in Omaha. A local franchisee is currently searching for locations, most likely in the Aksarben area or in northwest Omaha. Restaurants typically range from 1,300 to 1,600 sq. ft. The Peach Cobbler Factory is a dessert specialty restaurant that serves cobblers, ice creams, shakes, cinnamon rolls, banana puddings, sweet peach tea and similar items. Based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. the chain has 170 locations nationwide. The closest existing locations are in St. Louis and Tulsa, Okla.

Dumpster Dudez of Omaha has launched residential and commercial dumpster rental services in the greater Omaha area, offering waste management solutions for homeowners and businesses. The locally operated company provides 10-, 15-, 20- and 25-yard dumpsters. Founded by Cal Foley and Travis Nelson, Dumpster Dudez supports home renovation cleanouts, construction debris removal and general cleanup projects. The company is now accepting bookings for rentals in 2026.

Roll-N-Sweetz will have a new home on the ground floor of MLK Square, an apartment complex on the North 30th Street corridor. The local rolled ice cream shop was opened by then-17-year-old, a’Ron Burns, in 2022 and had a stint in 2024 in Aksarben’s Inner Rail Food Hall. According to a building permit application, the ice cream shop will take up 541 sq. ft. of ground floor space. MLK Square is a mixed-income apartment building that will have 44 units ranging from one to three bedrooms. – Isaiah Ang

The City of Omaha plans to relocate its Oma-Gro facility inside city limits. The current facility is located at 15705 Harlan Lewis Road in Bellevue. According to a rezoning application, the city plans to repurpose the old Al Vey’s Youth Sports Complex at 6404 South 60th Street into the new location for an Oma-Gro compost facility and a future site for salt and equipment storage for the Public Works Department. – Isaiah Ang

Wicked Caramel Apples, a La Vista-based caramel apple business, plans to open a brick-and-mortar shop at 104 South 5th Street in Plattsmouth. An opening date has not been announced. The business will continue operating at Home Decor and More in La Vista and at pop-up events until the new shop opens. – Nicole Buntgen

Smalls Sliders, an Atlanta-based, quick-serve restaurant chain that specializes in small cheeseburgers, has signed a development agreement to open four locations in Omaha and Lincoln. The concept started in 2019 in Baton Rouge, La., and now has 46 locations in 12 states. The closest existing locations are in Kansas City, St. Louis and Wichita, Kan. Site selection work is currently underway in Nebraska. One of the restaurant’s owners is former NFL quarterback Drew Brees.

Paradise Bakery & Café will open a location at 111 North 175th Street inside Nebraska Medicine’s Village Pointe campus near 175th & Burke Street. The bakery previously operated at Village Pointe Shopping Center before relocating to Nebraska Crossing in Gretna, where it reopened in January 2025. – Nicole Buntgen

Platte + Pine Construction and Remodel has launched in Omaha with a focus on helping homeowners plan and build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), secondary, smaller houses on the same property as a primary residence. Demand for ADUs has been growing in Omaha. Founded by Nick Knihnisky, the company guides its clients through local ADU zoning and design considerations and is now scheduling free consultations for property owners considering ADUs in 2026. Platte + Pine also offers kitchen, bathroom and basement remodels.

The Omaha Economic Development Corporation is inviting the public to its next “Listening Session” Wednesday, January 14, at 6:00 p.m. at The Venue at Highlander, 2120 North 30th Street. This meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn about the latest developments regarding the North Omaha Airport Business Park, including news about land acquisition. The business park is “a transformative commercial development located near Eppley Airfield, offering direct access to transportation corridors, fiber-ready infrastructure, and flexible industrial and office space.”

The Blackstone District is hosting the seventh annual Great Reuben Debate January 10th through 24th. The Reuben sandwich was invented in Omaha’s Blackstone Hotel in the 1920s. Each restaurant will have its own take on the Reuben. Participating locations include: Cheeseburgers, Crescent Moon, Cunningham’s, First Round, HomeGrown Omaha, Lazy Buffalo, Little India, Mula, Nite Owl, Rathskeller Bier Haus and the Orleans Room at The Cottonwood Hotel. Reuben fans can vote for their favorite at https://www.blackstonedistrict.com/2ndsaturday

Cedar Creek Coffee & Art will open its doors in the next few weeks at 20603 Elkhorn Drive in Olde Towne Elkhorn. The business is a specialty coffee shop/art gallery with a full stage that will host live music, art lectures, poetry, trivia and coffee education sessions. Cedar Creek Coffee & Art will be a multi-roaster concept carrying coffee from more than 12 roasters from around the country sourcing beans from around the globe.

Becker’s Hospital Review has once again included Nebraska Medicine – Nebraska Medical Center on its list of “100 Great Hospitals in America” for 2025. It was the only hospital in Nebraska to be recognized. Becker’s recognizes hospitals for “delivering excellent clinical care, prioritizing patient safety and driving innovation through research, education and continuous improvement.”

Equity Bancshares, Inc., the Wichita, Kansas-based holding company of Equity Bank, has completed its merger with Frontier Holdings, LLC, the parent company of Frontier Bank, in Omaha effective January 1. With the merger, Equity entered Nebraska, adding seven locations in the state. Frontier offices have reopened as Equity Bank. Equity now has approximately $7.9 billion in proforma consolidated assets and operates in six states.

Simplifi Automated Environments will move its Omaha office to 4509 South 143rd Street in the Southwestern Plaza development. Interior build-out is underway with opening expected in a couple months. Owned by Doug Dushan and Derrick Potts, Simplifi AE started nine years ago in Kansas City. The company expanded to Omaha less than two years ago and has already become the largest custom residential AV company by revenue in the Omaha market.