Grow Omaha
News Briefs

The Dino Bus made its debut last weekend. The “traveling museum” is a modified bus with replica dinosaur fossils inside. Dino Bus is part of Stomp Chomp Roar, LLC, which started in 2019 by providing dinosaur-themed entertainment for children’s birthday parties. “Omaha always has temporary dinosaur exhibits come through town, but it’s time we have something more permanent for kids to experience prehistoric life,” said Anthony Pontiero, owner.

GUGU Ramen will hold a ribbon cutting May 16th for its new restaurant at 9820 South 71st Plaza in Papillion. The Japanese restaurant is already open for business. GUGU Ramen has the same local ownership as Golden Apple Buffet, which is next door.

SpartanNash held a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration this past weekend for its Supermercado Nuestra Familia grocery store at 5101 Harrison Street. The Hispanic grocery store replaced the former Harrison Family Fare store.

Hurrdat has announced the acquisition of Lukas Partners, a strategic communications and public relations firm led by Joan Lukas. Both companies are based in Omaha. Hurrdat is “a diversified media, marketing and entertainment company.” The acquisition strengthens Hurrdat’s ability to offer fully integrated marketing and communications solutions.

Signage has been installed but much of the interior build-out remains to be completed at Tracks Lounge’s future west Omaha location southwest of 180th & Q Street. Famous for its fried chicken, Tracks has been in business for 60 years. The original location is just east of Aksarben Village at 1506 South 60th Street.

Storm Bath & Beauty has opened at 14455 West Center Road. The store features a “DIY Bath & Beauty Bar, where guests can create their own sugar scrubs, body oils and more.” Storm Bath & Beauty offers artisan products, including emulsified scrubs, hydrating body butters and handmade soaps.

Heath Mello, President & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, released the following statement regarding the retirement of Warren Buffett: “Warren Buffett’s retirement marks one of the most extraordinary chapters in American business history. His impact on Omaha is truly immeasurable — not only as the visionary behind Berkshire Hathaway, but as a leader whose humility, philanthropy, and enduring commitment to our community have helped shape our city’s global identity. His legacy is unparalleled, transforming Omaha into a financial capital of the world and inspiring generations of business leaders. Yet his influence reaches far beyond Nebraska — Warren Buffett has been a steadfast pillar of American capitalism, proving that integrity, patience, and long-term thinking can yield remarkable success for shareholders, communities, and the country alike.”

At the end of today’s Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders meeting at CHI Health Center, Warren Buffett surprisingly announced his retirement. The Oracle of Omaha said he would ask Berkshire’s board of directors at tomorrow’s meeting to make second-on-command Greg Abel the CEO by the end of this year. Buffett said he would still “hang around” presumably as chairman and as an advisor. Abel, who was designated as the CEO successor in 2021, is currently vice chairman of non-insurance.

A new restaurant called La Casa Del Pollo will open at 2405 N Street. The building is located on the south side of the parking lot west of the Plaza De La Raza. That area will be activated by a redevelopment project that will transform the parking lot into much needed public space and amenities, including a stage, event lawn and playgrounds. The project also includes a revamped public plaza along 24th Street. – Isaiah Ang

The Daily, a fast-casual sandwich shop, plans to open this month at 12100 West Center Road, Suite 112, in Bel Air Plaza. The restaurant is designed to launch the next generation of culinary talent. Emerging chefs will rotate through the kitchen, testing and refining their concepts before moving on to open businesses of their own. Two startups — Heavenly Body a gluten free bakery and Against the Current— will be the first featured businesses, bringing creative offerings and artisanal tastes to the menu.

In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, the City of Omaha, Papio-Missouri River NRD and local businesses, the American Reforestation Initiative officially launched the Replant Omaha Initiative, a 10-year program to restore Omaha’s tree canopy, which suffered unprecedented losses during storms last summer. The initiative includes the planting of 25,000 shade trees, educating homeowners on proper tree care and fostering a sustainable future for the city’s neighborhoods. – Mark Champion

The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved above the 50.0 growth neutral threshold for a fourth straight month. The April reading declined to a solid 53.3 from March’s stronger 56.7. The bad news is that the April employment index tumbled to 44.9, its lowest level since November, and down from 67.6 in March.

The Barker Building at 15th & Farnam Street will be home to a “reading lounge.” The Reading Room will take over the former Omaha Lounge spot at 1505 Farnam. The space was most recently Pedego Electic Bikes. According to owner Samantha Morley, the business combines a comfortable space with access to a full bar, coffee, tea and small food items. Opening is planned for early June. – Isaiah Ang

After 30 years, the Ameristar Casino Riverboat in Council Bluffs is being replaced by an on-land casino. The Iowa Gaming Commission approved the $180-$200 million renovation project, which will bring gambling onto land, according to WOWT. The project will take a few years to complete, but at that time, the riverboat will be retired, with its next destination still unknown. The renovation will also include new branding. Ameristar will become a Hollywood Casino, Penn Entertainment’s top casino brand. – Isaiah Ang

Wild Chicken Grill opened its second location on April 28 at 8220 Giles Road in the former Long John Silver’s/A&W building, just south of La Vista City Centre at Brentwood Village Shopping Center. The fast-casual restaurant serves grilled and crispy chicken, burgers, brews and breakfast items. Its original location is in Bellevue at 3604 Twin Creek Drive. – Nicole Buntgen

First National Bank of Omaha announced that it is acquiring the CCB Financial Corporation, the parent company of Kansas City-based Country Club Bank. CCB currently employs more than 400 people. The 20 existing CCB branches in Kansas and Missouri will be converted to FNBO locations.  The acquisition is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025 and will bring FNBO’s total assets to almost $35 billion. – Isaiah Ang

The Lerner Company has entered into a contract to develop Gretna Crossing, a retail project at 192nd & Highway 370 in Gretna. The 70-acre site has a half mile of frontage on Highway 370 and will ultimately have up to 500,000 sq. ft. of retail space. The project is expected to create 1,400 permanent retail and service jobs. Gretna Crossing is in the early planning stages. A groundbreaking date has not been announced.

The Nebraska chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization will welcome EO members from around the world this Friday to an event coinciding with Berkshire weekend at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Approximately 200 EO members will attend, representing 43 chapters in 15 countries. EO Nebraska has 125 business-owner members, who collectively employ 7,930 people and generate $276 million in gross revenue, according to Julie Hockney of JH Interior Design, the chapter’s current president and first female leader.

Chick Bo-Bao is taking over the former Poke Boba House space at 510 South 13th Street on the western side of the Old Market. The locally owned restaurant had been planning to move into 1213 Howard Street but has shifted to the 13th Street location. Chick Bo-Bao serves Korean fried chicken, Korean corn dogs, bubble tea and mochi donuts. The original Chick Bo-Bao is at 7440 North 30th street.

The Cannabis Factory plans open soon at 3434 South 84th Street in a building that was once the Omaha Fire Department’s hazmat facility. It was more recently a Midwest Medical Transport Co. location. The building is being renovated into a retail store as well as the company’s new headquarters, which will move from 1215 South 13th Street. The Cannabis Factory has 21 locations in Nebraska and says its Nebraska number-one cannabis dispensary. – Terry Anderson