Grow Omaha
News Briefs
John’s Grecian Delight Reopens in Bellevue
John’s Grecian Delight has reopened at 1001 Fort Crook Road North after temporarily closing in late December due to a serious injury to owner John Sakkas. The longtime Bellevue restaurant is currently operating with limited hours as Sakkas continues his recovery. - Nicole Buntgen
The Garment District Clothing Store Moving to Corner Space
The Garment District is moving within Shops of Legacy retail area southwest of 168th & West Center Road. The women’s clothing store will move this Sunday from 16939 Wright Plaza, Suite #123, to the former Deka Lash space at 16950 Wright Plaza. Because it’s a corner space, the move will give Garment District greater visibility.
7 Brew Coffee Plans to Build Near 168th & Harrison
7 Brew Coffee is coming to the 168th & Harrison Street area. A building permit has been filed to construct a 646 sq. ft., prefabricated, drive-thru building at 16901 Polk Street on a currently vacant lot. The Arkansas-based company, which sells coffee, tea and energy drinks, has an existing Omaha location at 182nd & West Maple Road and another under construction in Council Bluffs.
Helzberg Diamonds to Convert Oak View-Area Office Building
Helzberg Diamonds may be opening a store in the Oakview area. This week a building permit was filed for remodel of an existing space a 2625 South 140th Street, which is on the northeast corner of 140th & West Center Road. The permit indicates that prior office space will be converted to retail space. Helzberg is a national jewelry store based in Kansas City and owned by Berkshire Hathaway with current Omaha stores inside Oak View and Westroads malls. – Isaiah Ang
Crisp & Green Opening Second Omaha Location
Crisp & Green will open its second Omaha location tomorrow – April 24 – at 16902 Wright Plaza in the Shops of Legacy. The grand opening will include a free entrée from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by a wellness event on April 25. The restaurant’s original Omaha location is at 225 North 80th Street. The brand has more than 45 locations nationwide. – Nicole Buntgen
Habitat Omaha Kicks Off Pope Leo Village Build
Habitat for Humanity’s Pope Leo Village build project kicked off this weekend as more than 50 Habitat for Humanity of Omaha volunteers, staff, homeowners and guests began construction on the first of 20 homes to be built over the next two years at Habitat Omaha’s Bluestem Development near 52nd & Sorensen Parkway. The Pope Leo Villages project is designed to promote volunteerism for young people, and includes 20 Habitat affiliates nationwide. This is the first Pope Leo Village build in Omaha. – Mark Champion
Godfather’s Pizza Relocates 180th & Q Store Two Miles West
Godfather’s Pizza has opened a restaurant at 20462 R Street in the Coventry development southwest of 204th & Q Street. Today is the first day of business, but a grand-opening celebration is scheduled for May 3. The new restaurant replaces the 180th & Q Street Godfather’s, which is now closed. The Coventry store has dining space for 60 customers and a drive-thru, pick-up window.
Manhattan’s Deli to Close Permanently This Close Friday
Manhattan’s Coffee Deli & Grill announced that it will close its downtown location Friday, April 24. The restaurant is located at 1802 Farnam Street on the ground floor of a parking garage across the street from the Douglas County Courthouse.
GreenSlate Development Partners Announces Scott Dobbe as President
GreenSlate Development has changed its name to GreenSlate Development Partners and announced Scott Dobbe will join the firm as partner and president. Dobbe is currently executive director of Omaha by Design but will step down from that position at the end of May. Founded in 2013 by Jay Lund and Matt Dwyer, GreenSlate has delivered nearly 1,000 residential units in Omaha’s urban core along with more than 600,000 sq. ft. of commercial space.
Heartland Bike Share Launches Free Annual Pass Promotion
Heartland Bike Share just launched a promotion offering free annual passes. Residents over the age of 16 living in Omaha, Council Bluffs, Papillion, Bellevue, La Vista and Ralston can sign up for the program at https://heartlandbikeshare.org/free-rides. The annual pass covers all rides under 60-minutes. Rides over 60 minutes are subject to extended ride fees. Heartland Bike Share operates more than 80 bike stations, offering access to an all-electric fleet of bicycles. – Isaiah Ang
Scooter’s Coffee Plans 31 Stores in Virginia & North Carolina
Scooter’s Coffee announced one of the largest multi-store development agreements in its history. The Omaha-based beverage franchisor will work with Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the nation’s largest Hardee’s franchise owner, to open 31 Scooter’s Coffee locations in North Carolina and Virginia. Scooter’s has more than 900 locations in 32 states.
42 Degrees Opens Store in Hawthorne Court
42 Degrees, a locally owned smoke and vape retailer, has opened a store in a retail strip at 17725 Welch Plaza. The endcap space is part of Hawthorne Court northeast of 180th & Q Street. Founded in 2012, 42 Degrees has nine locations in Omaha and one in Lincoln.
Construction Starts on Discount Tire Store in Millard
Construction has started on a Discount Tire store at 4308 South 130 Street. The site is south of a Tommy’s Express Car Wash and west of Millard Lumber. The 9,664 sq. ft. building will have a ground-level showroom and service bays, plus a mezzanine level for tire storage and racking. Discount Tire has six existing Omaha locations.
Izumi Sushi & Hibachi Opens Near 72nd & Ames
Izumi Sushi & Hibachi has opened in a former IHOP building at 4707 North 72nd Street just north of 72nd & Ames Avenue. The restaurant is part of a franchise that originated in North Dakota and offers an all-you-can-eat, made-to-order menu with sushi, hibachi and appetizers. – Nicole Buntgen
Degree Wellness Opens in Whispering Ridge
Degree Wellness has opened at 17229 Evans Street near 172nd & West Maple Road in Whispering Ridge. The wellness center offers services including cryotherapy, infrared saunas, cold plunges, contrast therapy and IV drips. The brand has locations in nearly 20 states. – Nicole Buntgen
Peach Cobbler Factory to Open First Omaha Location
The Peach Cobbler Factory will open its first Omaha location at 2501 South 90th Street in Loveland Shopping Center near 90th & West Center Road. The dessert franchise, founded in 2013, has locations in more than 25 states. The nearest locations are in Oklahoma, including Lawton and Tulsa. – Nicole Buntgen
Arts & Crafts Business to Start Building in Little Bohemia
A building permit was filed for Assemble, an adult-oriented arts and crafts business. The permit is for new tenant finish. Assemble will be in the Boho Flats building at 1440 South 13th Street in Little Bohemia. Customers will be able to paint, sculpt, crochet and more in an art-studio setting that also will have a bar. – Isaiah Ang
Vida Bright Academy Opening Near 144th & Fort
Vida Bright Academy will open in May at 14345 Fort Street, according to Oak Investment Real Estate. The center will offer early childhood education with bilingual English and Spanish instruction, small group learning and daily meals. – Nicole Buntgen
Owner of 801 Chophouse Files for Bankruptcy Protection
801 Restaurant Group, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week. The Kansas-based company operates 801 Chophouse, a prime steakhouse at 1403 Farnam Street in Omaha that has additional locations in Denver; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, St. Louis; Minneapolis; and Tysons Corner, Va. Those restaurants will remain open and operate normally, but the company recently closed 801 on Nicollet in Minneapolis and a seafood restaurant in downtown Denver.
The Corner Kick Opening Third Location in Aksarben Village
The Corner Kick, a local sports bar and cantina, will open its third location at 2295 South 67th Street in Aksarben Village in the former Voodoo Taco space. The new location will feature a patio and weekend breakfast service. Existing locations are in Millard near 144th & Q Streets and in west Omaha near 132nd & West Dodge Road. – Nicole Buntgen
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Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Plans Third Omaha Store
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream appears to be planning a third Omaha location near 180th & Q Street next to Hy-Vee. A building permit was filed to remodel the former Big Frog Custom T-Shirt retail space at 17676 Welch Plaza. Betty Rae’s is based in Kansas City and has existing Omaha locations in Aksarben Village and Pepperwood Village. - Isaiah Ang
Permit Filed to Build Arhaus Store at Avenue One
Arhaus will be under construction soon in the Avenue One Goodlife District at 192nd & West Dodge Road. According to recently filed building permit, Arhaus will build a free-standing, 15,000 sq. ft. store. Arhaus, along with West Elm, Pottery Barn and William-Sonoma, are expected to open in 2027. Arhaus is a premium home furniture and décor retailer with more than 100 locations. The nearest current store is in Kansas City. – Isaiah Ang
Groundbreaking Tomorrow for North Omaha Trail Phase 2
Spark CDI and its urban design hub, the Fabric Lab, are hosting a groundbreaking for Phase 2 of the North Omaha Trail tomorrow, April 17, at 2 p.m. at 26th & Lake Street. Phase 2 of the trail follows a route from 24th & Ohio Street to the Baby Bob bridge downtown and is funded with $8 million from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. - Mark Champion
Creighton’s Rural Mainstreet Index Remains Below Growth Neutral
Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth neutral for the third consecutive month. Led by Dr. Ernie Goss, the index surveys bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. The April reading improved to a weak 47.9 from March’s 40.9. It’s the 14th time since January 2025 that the index landed below growth neutral. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with 50.0 representing growth neutral.
Dairy Chef Expands to Additional Hy-Vee Locations
Dairy Chef products are now available at additional Hy-Vee locations in Omaha, including stores near 180th & Q Street and 132nd & West Dodge Road. The local ice cream shop, located at Elkhorn, is offering quarts and rotating flavors at the new locations, while select stores continue to carry its cookie sandwiches. - Nicole Buntgen
ICON Insurance Brokerage Opens Office in Gretna
ICON Insurance, a new commercial insurance brokerage serving the Omaha metro area, has opened at 20266 Patton Street, Suite 1, in Gretna. The firm focuses on property, liability, auto, work comp and umbrella insurance. Targeted client industries include contractors, retail, real estate, habitational, hospitality and manufacturers. ICON Insurance was founded by Tyler Thies and Brandon Reilly and launched on April 1st.
Sladek Psychotherapy Relocating to Midtown
Sladek Psychotherapy will relocate from inside Mending Mindsets in Miracle Hills to 3915 Cuming Street in the next one to two months. Owner Asia Sladek will operate the new space as Sladek Psychotherapy Collective, offering mental health services while also subleasing offices to other therapists. The practice launched in September 2023. – Nicole Buntgen
Nonprofit to Break Ground on South Omaha Affordable Homes
HomeWoven will hold a groundbreaking ceremony April 23 for an affordable housing construction project in South Omaha. The project will provide three affordable homes at 5449 South 51st Street and a total of five in South Omaha for income-qualified, first-time buyers. HomeWoven is a local nonprofit that provides home repairs, accessibility modifications and affordable homeownership opportunities.
Dirty Soda Concept to Open First Nebraska Location in Tiburon
Fiiz Drinks plans to open its first Nebraska location this summer at Tiburon Pointe in Gretna. The “dirty soda” concept will operate in a 2,400 sq. ft., former Tropical Smoothie Café space at 10215 South 168th Street, according to Hilke Meyer of NAI NP Dodge, who represents the tenant. Fiiz Drinks is known for customizable dirty sodas, energy drinks and small snacks. The Salt Lake City-based chain has 75 locations with the closest existing ones in Oklahoma City and Denver.
Resort-Level Spa Coming to Heartwood Preserve in October
Woodhouse Spa is coming to Heartwood Preserve. The resort-level, luxury spa plans to open in October in a 6,700 sq. ft. space in a 2-story building under construction at 14652 Canopy Avenue. Locally owned by Ashlyn and Clayton Becker, Woodhouse Spa is the only high-end spa with a franchise model, and is not affiliated with Omaha’s Woodhouse Auto Family. Founded in Victoria, Tex., in 2001, Woodhouse Spa has 91 locations in 25 states with the closest existing spas in Kansas City, St. Louis and Minneapolis.
Peterbilt of Omaha Opens Gretna Facility Today
Midwest Peterbilt Group today opened a new Peterbilt of Omaha truck facility at 11502 Wickersham Boulevard in Gretna. The 80,000 sq. ft., two-level building includes a full-service Peterbilt dealership, featuring parts, sales and service, including a drive-thru, complete lube bay, dyno service and a full body shop with a frame alignment rack, along with a full truckers’ lounge.
Toppers Pizza Closes Miracle Hills Restaurant
Toppers Pizza has closed its Miracle Hills location at 741 North 114th Street. A sign on the door says the business is closed “indefinitely.” Toppers Pizza continues to operate a restaurant at 7010 Dodge Street. Based in Wisconsin, Toppers Pizza has more than 70 locations primarily in the upper Midwest.
Ninja Warehouse Expanding to 144th & Center
Ninja Warehouse is opening a second location southwest of 144th & West Center Road. The business is remodeling a 4,000 sq. ft. space at 14477 West Center Road. Ninja Warehouse’s current location is at 8068 South 84th Street in La Vista. A third location is coming in June to 10351 Portal Road in La Vista. Ninja Warehouse is a liquidator of online overstock products including electronics, home goods, shoes, clothing and toys. – Isaiah Ang
Owner of Dolce Restaurant Sells Business
Dolce, an upscale restaurant at 12317 West Maple Road, has been sold. Owner and chef Anthony Kueper purchased the restaurant in 2017. The sale was confirmed by a local business broker, and it is unclear what will occupy the space next. Dolce’s Facebook page lists the restaurant as “permanently closed.” - Nicole Buntgen
Pastime Neighborhood Bar and Grill Opens North of 108th & Q
Pastime Neighborhood Bar and Grill has opened at 5059 South 108th Street in the former Therapy Bar & Grill space near 108th and Q Street. The bar features weekly events including karaoke, music bingo, live acoustic music and a DJ, along with pool and darts. The kitchen is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Nicole Buntgen
Bodega-Style Market Coming to Countryside Village
Beatniks, a bodega-style fresh-food market, plans to open at Countryside Village in the former Countryside Cones space. Beatniks shares ownership with the nearby Saddle Creek Breakfast Club but is considered a separate entity with additional partners. Beatniks will offer locally sourced, clean eats for takeout as well as grab-and-go retail. A soft opening will begin this coming weekend.
Fitness Business to Build at 172nd & Pacific
iThinkFit plans to move to the northwest corner of 172nd & Pacific Street. According to a building permit for an 18,000 sq. ft. building, the gym and personal training facility will be located on the vacant lot west of Village Pointe Oral Surgery & Dental Implants. iThinkFit is currently located in a 15,000 sq. ft. space at 2424 South 156th Circle and provides fitness classes and one-on-one coaching sessions for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. - Isaiah Ang
Interstate 480 Closed for Weekend Construction Project
Interstate 480 is closed on the west side of downtown this weekend as workers install horizonal girders for the new Farnam Street bridge. The installation will require the freeway to be closed until no later than 6 a.m. Monday. The bridge is being rebuilt to accommodate the Omaha Streetcar and because of its advanced age. The bridge’s concrete deck is expected to be poured in June.
Anthem Opening Thursday in Former Plank Provisions Space
Flagship Restaurant Group will open Anthem, a Tex-Asian pub, this week in the former Plank Provisions restaurant at 1205 Howard Street in the Old Market. Anthem has one existing location in Austin, Tex., and is described as a “design-savvy eatery for Latin & Asian pub fare, plus tiki drinks & sake bombs.”
Unicameral Passes LB 1165 Known as “Grow the Good Life Act”
The Nebraska Legislature today passed Legislative Bill 1165, the “Grow the Good Life Act," one of the most significant economic development packages in recent years. The bill, which passed 42-7, modernizes the state’s economic development tools by enhancing performance-based incentives, strengthening employer retention strategies, expanding flexibility for childcare support and introducing new mechanisms to attract and retain workforce talent.
