Grow Omaha
News Briefs

For the third time in the past five months, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved slightly below growth neutral. The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, sank to 49.5 from 50.5 in October.

Revival House has opened its second Omaha bar ahead of schedule at 16939 Wright Street in the former Parliament Pub space at the Shoppes at Legacy. The Flagship Restaurant Group concept, which debuted in Blackstone earlier this year, is now open daily with all-day happy hour on Sundays. – Nicole Buntgen

The City of Omaha Public Works Department declared the end of snow operations on major roads at 12 a.m. this morning. That means property owners have until 12 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, to clear sidewalks under a city ordinance that requires this 24-hour window. Cleared snow must be placed on private property, not on roadways. Reports of uncleared sidewalks can be submitted to the Mayor’s Hotline at 402-444-5555, via email at hotline@cityofomaha.org or at omahahotline.com.

The Federal Public Defender’s office will relocate to the Redfield Building at 1901 Howard Street from the office towers formerly known as Central Park Plaza. NuStyle Development is transforming the iconic twin towers into an apartment complex. In addition to the renovation of the existing towers, an 11-story building with apartments built on top of several stories of parking will be located on the former Parkfair Mall site. The Federal Public Defender’s office will be joining Modus Coworking and Luli Creative House, among others, in the Redfield Building. – Isaiah Ang

The Harney Street bridge over Interstate 480 reopened earlier this week after being closed for nearly a year. The bridge was demolished and rebuilt to accommodate the future streetcar line. The Farnam Street bridge, one block north, is scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt in 2026.

Nodest Home Plants is moving to the Blackstone District. According to a Go Fund Me page, the owner reported significant reduction in sales at its original location at 25th & Harney Street because of streetcar construction. The new location will be on the ground floor of the 37 West building, a mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space, a few floors of city-owned parking and a private apartment complex taking up the upper floors. – Isaiah Ang

The Capitol District will have a new office user at 1100 Capitol Avenue. Wabtec Corporation, a Pennsylvania-based rail-and-freight equipment and technology company, will lease 8,500 sq. ft. on the second floor, according to a building permit filed for tenant build-out. – Isaiah Ang

The City of Omaha has demolished a couple vacant buildings in Millwork Commons for a 600-stall parking garage northwest of 11th & Nicholas Street. This week, the city filed a building permit for the garage, revealing additional details. The parking garage will be a 5-story structure, totaling more than 240,000 sq. ft., with ground-floor commercial space. Millwork Commons is a mixed-use district just north of Charles Schwab Field. There is a significant amount of other construction activity in the area, including an apartment building by White Lotus called the Nova and an apartment building named The Frame. – Isaiah Ang

The City of Omaha’s Holiday Lights Festival Lighting Ceremony is taking place at 6 p.m. on November 29 at Gene Leahy Mall. The event is paired with the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, with this year’s focus being on food insecurity and proceeds benefitting the Food Bank for the Heartland. – Mark Champion

Rally Cap Brewing Co., a Baton Rouge, La.-based sports bar, announced earlier this year that they would open a satellite location in Omaha in the under-construction Nova mixed-use building in Millwork Commons. According to a recently filed building permit application, the bar will take  2,840 sq. ft. of commercial space on the ground floor. The interior build-out will cost nearly $200,000. The owners previously announced a possible opening as early as the first quarter of 2026. – Isaian Ang

Kittie Krystals and More has opened on the lower level of Westroads Mall next to The Cookie Company and near JCPenney and DSW. The shop sells hair and fashion accessories along with men’s jewelry. – Nicole Buntgen

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Maverick Food Pantry, which provides food and other basic items for students and staff from UNO, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the College of St. Mary, has seen a 55 percent increase in student visits from the first week of November 2024 to the first week of November 2025, according to pantry officials. – Mark Champion

Shoeman’s Liquor & More opened for business yesterday inside the recently completed 37 West Farnam Building in the Blackstone District. The exact address is 3737 Farnam Street, Suite 112. The wine, beer and spirits store is locally owned by Chad Shoeman, who also has the Red Lion Lounge a block to the west.

Shaheen’s Afghan Cuisine will close its Benson location at 6121 Maple Street on December 7. The family-owned restaurant, known for its made-from-scratch Afghan cuisine, has operated in Benson for one and a half years. Its first location at 1115 South 119th Street was open for four years. The restaurant’s buffet will be available daily until the final day of service. – Nicole Buntgen

Toys R Us is holding a soft opening tomorrow – Wednesday, November 26 – in Westroads Mall. The soft opening will be limited to only one of the store’s two levels. The full store will open this Friday, but there will still be some inventory set-up not fully completed. A formal, grand opening is planned for next week. Toys R Us is opening in a 2-level, 30,796 sq. ft. space formerly occupied by Forever 21. Toys R Us went out of business in 2017. The Westroads store is one of the brand’s first “come-back” stores.

Tradishish, a Native American cuisine concept, plans to launch a food truck in spring 2026. The “tradition with a twist” eatery continues to operate out of its Bushwackers location at 7401 Main Street in Ralston, serving burgers, NDN tacos, fry bread and more since August 2025. – Nicole Buntgen

Very Important Pizza has signed a lease for the former Voodoo Taco space at 2502 Farnam Street downtown. According to Oak Investment Real Estate, the restaurant will sit along the future streetcar route and will feature a fully built-out layout with a large kitchen, full bar, open seating area and outdoor patio. – Nicole Buntgen

Food Bank for the Heartland is hosting its 19th annual Shine the Light on Hunger Campaign. Thanks to sponsors Conagra Brands Foundation, Farm Credit Services of America, Baker’s and WoodmenLife, every gift made by December 31, will be matched up to $200,000. The Food Bank’s goal is to raise enough for 6 million meals this holiday season. – Mark Champion

Bora Bora Juice is opening a second Omaha location. According to a building permit, the store will be at 4002 North 203rd Street, on the northeast corner of 204th & West Maple Road. Bora Bora Juice is a Kuwait-based chain that serves juices, smoothies, coffee, waffles and crepes. Omaha’s current location is at 13110 Birch Drive southeast of 132nd & West Maple Road. – Isaiah Ang

An event hall will open at 1412 Howard Street downtown just west of the Old Market. The applicant is the owner of Billy Frogg’s, a long-standing Old Market bar. The event center will be called Clover Leaf House. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. for hosting events. – Isaiah Ang