Grow Omaha
News Briefs

Omaha Children’s Museum announced today that it is pausing the capital campaign that would have funded a new building at 8th & Douglas Street. The museum will remain at its current location at 500 South 20th Street. Board president Dana Washington said the museum would revisit expansion plans “when the time is right.” The museum announced in October 2024 that it would build a 4-story, state-of-the-art facility on the north side of Heartland of America Park designed by internationally renowned architecture firm Snøhetta. It was scheduled to open in 2027.

Les Schwab Tire Center plans to build a store in the Iron Bluff mixed-use development southwest of 204th & F Street. The Omaha Planning Board this week approved the amendment to the mixed-use agreement to allow for auto repair services. This Les Schwab store will be located on a 1-acre lot and will consist of a 9.775 sq. ft., one-story building with seven services bays. - Isaiah Ang

U-Haul Co. of Nebraska announced that Expressway Detail, LLC, a local car wash and detail company, signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer. The company is located at 4501 Florence Boulevard and will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment and moving supplies.

Fifth House, a start-up vegan restaurant, opened October 31 in the former Get Real Sandwiches space at 3901 Farnam Street in Blackstone District. The restaurant’s tagline, “the vegan joint of your dreams,” introduces a refreshed concept from the owners of Modern Love, which closed in December 2024. – Nicole Buntgen

A light industrial project is underway in South Omaha. The Omaha Planning Board approved a Tax Increment Financing application for El Toro Plaza, a 5-acre redevelopment area southeast of 25th & Z Street. The site had been an eye sore for many years. The developer, Ryan Sell, plans to build a 32,000 sq. ft., light industrial building, which will have warehousing, office and manufacturing space. The $10.3 million project is expected to come online at the end of 2026. – Isaiah Ang

Gyro Kings opened its second location on November 3 at 2211 Capehart Road in the former Sina Way space  in Bellevue. The Mediterranean-European fusion restaurant’s original location at 632 North Saddle Creek Road opened in October 2023. - Nicole Buntgen

Another indoor golf franchise is coming to Omaha. Tee Box will open its first location outside the mountain west in Miracle Hills Plaza, joining Funny Bone, Draftcade and Hawaiian Bros Island Grill in the revitalized shopping center at 114th & West Dodge Road. Tee Box will open early next year in a 4,000 sq. ft. space north of Funny Bone. Tee Box combines state-of-the-art technology and weight training to improve golf skills all year round. The Utah-based company has 10 locations in Utah and Idaho. – Isaiah Ang

Vino Mas will open a second location in the Shops of Legacy at 2835 South 170th Plaza in the former Cellar 44 space. Opening is planned mid-November. Vino Mas is a boutique wine shop with a current location at 14450 Eagle Run Drive. In addition to a wide range of retail wines, Vino Mas has a wine bar and hosts a weekly music series and various wine tasting events. 

Heartwood Preserve will be the new home for B Morton Interior Design. According to a building permit, the local interior design company will be relocating from 204th & Pacific Street to a commercial building currently under construction on the northeast corner of 147th & Canopy Avenue. The building is just west of 30 Hop and Gunderson’s. B. Morton will occupy 7,500 sq. ft. and will be the first tenant in the multi-tenant building. – Isaiah Ang

Construction is nearing completion on a new AutoZone near the southeast corner of 22nd & West Chandler Road in Bellevue. The auto parts retailer has more than a dozen locations across the Omaha metro area. - Nicole Buntgen

For the second time in the past four 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 above growth neutral. The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, rose to 50.5 from 49.8 in September.

Beacon Hills, a full-service restaurant in Aksarben Village, is under new ownership. After 24 years, founder Craig McVeigh has retired. The new owner is John Benton, who has many years’ experience in the Omaha dining scene. McVeigh’s daughter, Beth, will continue working at the restaurant at 6750 Mercy Road.

Lifestyle Suites plans to hold a ribbon cutting Monday, November 10th at 4 p.m. at 17728 Oakmont Drive in Gretna. Lifestyle Suites is a 2-story property, providing luxury suites for beauty, cosmetic and personal care professionals.

Midwest Businesses & Projects, LLC, plans to build a six-unit townhome project on a vacant lot near 29th & Jackson Street. Site preparation is underway. The $2.5 million project is receiving funds from the North and South Omaha Recovery Grant program as well as Tax Increment Financing from the City of Omaha. The rowhouse building will also feature a large outdoor mural. – Isaiah Ang

Edens Preserve, a local health and beauty shop focused on sustainability, has closed its store at 16902 Wright Plaza in the Shops of Legacy as of October 29. The shop offered low and zero-waste products and first opened in April 2024. - Nicole Buntgen

J. Gorat's Deli & Market will take over the former Burger Detour building at 1220 South 203rd Street. That's just southeast of 204th & Pacific Street. Hiring is underway and opening is expected soon. J. Gorat's website says, "We are bringing together a classic deli with a local market of delicious, fun & eclectic items. The perfect stop to grab some curated items to prepare your meal at home or stay and enjoy one of our fresh, flavorful meals." Burger Detour closed both of its locations in August. 

Tussey’s Casual Grill, a local restaurant that opened in 2008, has changed ownership. Jennifer Zhang, president and CEO of Omaha-based JZW International Development, has taken ownership. JZW also owns Omaha Prime in the Old Market. Tussey’s is located at 9229 Mormon Bridge Plaza near 48th & McKinley Street. - Nicole Buntgen

Cizek Construction plans to build a 4-story, class-A office building at 200 Applied Parkway in Heartwood Preserve, the mixed-use development west of Boys Town. The area is already home to several upscale office buildings, including Valmont’s global headquarters. According to a City of Omaha building permit, the 166,050 sq. ft. “Heartwood Place” building will have underground parking, a fitness facility, locker rooms, patio, fire pit and balconies.

Blaha’s, a craft beer and cocktail bar concept, will open at 721 North 14th Street in the former Zipline Brewing space in North Downtown next to the Ruth Sokolof Theater. Described as an “upscale yet approachable taproom,” the bar will feature 12-to-14 rotating taps in a cozy, modern-industrial setting. Blaha’s will also offer a seasonal cocktail menu and a small curated wine list. The owner plans to open by the end of this year. – Nicole Buntgen

Eide Bailly plans to move its local office from 180th & West Dodge Road to the First National Bank of Omaha Business Park. According to a building permit for renovation of existing space, Eide Bailly will relocate their office to 14010 FNB Parkway. Eide Bailly is a top 20 accounting firm with more than 3,500 employees and 50 offices throughout the United States. – Isaiah Ang