Grow Omaha
News Briefs

A study of teenagers’ restaurant preferences revealed that Omaha-based Scooter’s Coffee is the number-five most popular brand in the “coffee, tea and beverage places” category. Among 6,455 American teenagers surveyed, the top five was Starbucks (57%), Dunkin’ (11%), McDonald’s (6%), Dutch Bros (6%) and Scooter’s (3%), according to Nation’s Restaurant News.

Omaha is among the top 20 metropolitan areas in the country for most “build-to-rent” completions in 2024, according a report by Point2Homes. Omaha added 554 new single-family rentals last year and has 916 additional units planned or under construction. Build-to-rent houses are built specifically for long-term renters. Omaha ranked #18. The top five metros were Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston and Charlotte. The only other top-20 metro in our region was Minneapolis at #10.

Forward Physical Therapy + Performance has moved into the former Sound Method Yoga space at 12302 Emmet Street. The physical therapy and performance company offers personalized, one-on-one coaching and rehab with an emphasis on movement and education. Their doctorate-trained physical therapists, with expertise in strength and conditioning, use “a modern approach to health and fitness to help active people move from pain to peak performance.”

The Witchery at Blackstone, a locally owned barber shop, has opened in the Blackstone Plaza building at 3555 Farnam Street. That 15-story building recently welcomed HomeGrown, a Kansas-based, brunch restaurant. The building is most famous for housing Warren Buffett’s office. The original Witchery Barber is located at 2941 South 108th Street. Both Witchery locations are part of Omaha Barber Group, which also includes Dundee Barber and Victory Barber.

Artemis Tea & Botanical Shop is making an intra-Blackstone-District move next month. The organic retailer is moving from its current shop at 4013 Farnam Street a few blocks to the east into the former Lazy Leopard cocktail lounge at 3618 Farnam Street. The existing shop will turn into production and fulfillment space. The business also operates an online store.

Bankers Trust has opened a community room at its new branch office building at 19202 Davenport Street. The room can accommodate up to 75 people and is available to non-profit organizations, small businesses, bank clients and other local groups to book for meetings, networking and workshops. The room is available Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For reservations, contact Angie Peters at (402) 408-1880.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the first Intermediate Design Report, or IDR, for the first phase of Project NExT known as Project Health. Project Health is the $2.19 billion healthcare facility planned for 7.5-acre site that was formally home of the Munroe-Meyer Institute. The new facility will provide modernized facilities and could potentially allow UNMC to accommodate around 200 more students per year. The IDR approves needed demolition and relocation of utilities, installation of storm water and drainage systems, excavation and reconstruction work for heavy building components, such as elevator shafts. – Isaiah Ang

The Blackstone District will have a new bookstore and coffee shop at 3925 Farnam Street next to the original Coneflower creamery location. The previous tenant was Pranam Yoga Shala. The submitted permit for bathroom and plumbing renovations for the 1,800 sq. ft. space does not indicate the name of the new business but we understand it will be “The Wandering Page.” – Isaiah Ang

Kpot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot plans to open its first Nebraska restaurant in the former Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse in Village Pointe Shopping Center. One year ago, Kpot announced it would move into the former Granite City building at the Westroads, but that deal fell through. The rapidly growing chain of all-you-can-eat restaurants now has 106 locations. Kpot started in 2018 in New Jersey. The closest existing locations are in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Des Moines, Iowa; and the Kansas City area.

National car wash franchise Tommy’s Express is breaking ground in the Bellevue. Located at 11533 South 31st Street, near China Buffet Mongolian Grill, this will be the brand’s first location in Bellevue and the 11th in the state of Nebraska. The car wash is expected to open late this year.

Twin Peaks, a national sports bar chain, is returning to the Omaha market. Wichita, Kansas-based 3B Lodge has broken ground for a Twin Peaks at 313 North 179th Street in Village Pointe West, just east of Home2 Suites. The 8,000 sq. ft. building will feature a large outdoor patio and is scheduled to open this November, according to Trenton Magid of NAI NP Dodge, who represented the franchise group. The location will be a ground-up building with Twin Peaks’ made-from-scratch menu and daily drink specials. Twin Peaks previously had a restaurant at 173rd & West Center Road, but it closed a few years ago. The closest existing Twin Peaks locations are in Kansas City.

Flora Cafe, a new Mexican brunch restaurant, will soon open downtown at 1009 Farnam Street just south of Gene Leahy Mall. The space was previously occupied by Matsu Sushi. Flora Cafe is under the same ownership as Sam’s Leon Mexican Food and will feature an outdoor patio and a menu of authentic dishes. An opening date has yet to be announced. – Nicole Buntgen

Wheatfield’s is tentatively set to open its express location at 18902 Evans Street in northwest Omaha by the end of April. This second location will feature a drive-thru lane and an extensive self-serve, grab-and-go section. The store will offer quiche, soups, sandwiches and bakery items. The existing Wheatfield’s restaurant is in One Pacific Place near 103rd & Pacific Street. – Nicole Buntgen

Omaha Contractor Bays, a business that offers commercial suites tailored to small and medium businesses, is under development northwest of 156th & Highway 36 in Bennington. Opening is scheduled for December. The 1,250 sq. ft. flex suites will have glass storefronts with 11X14 power overhead garage doors in the back. Each bay features 16-foot ceilings and clear-span space with no interior columns.

The NU Board of Regents today approved the establishment of an Emergency Nurse Practitioner certificate program through the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing. The program aims to alleviate the critical shortage of emergency care providers throughout the state with a particular focus on “underserved” areas. The program combines online learning with in-person intensive training sessions, spanning 12 months and 16 credits. The inaugural class will begin in Spring 2026.

Hammer & Nails, an upscale grooming concept, is set to open around July 4 at 14450 Eagle Run Drive near 144th & West Maple Road. The premier salon aims to redefine the traditional barbershop experience by offering haircuts, beard grooming, manicures, pedicures and a full bar —all designed with men in mind. – Nicole Buntgen

Charred Burger + Bar has officially opened its west Omaha location at 18101 Chicago Street in the former Meatball space next to First Watch just west of Village Pointe. A grand opening event is scheduled for April 12. Charred has two existing Omaha locations and one in Lincoln. – Nicole Buntgen

The healthcare facility at the southeast corner of 144th & West Center Road will have a new tenant, Blue Cloud Pediatric Dentistry. A building permit is filed for $1.12 million renovations of the previous Ambulatory Surgery Suite at 2727 South 144th Street. Blue Cloud has locations in 12 other states, the nearest in Kansas City. It is the largest operator of pediatric dental ambulatory surgery centers. – Isaiah Ang

Freddy’s will soon open in the Coventry development near 204th & Harrison Street, just south of ACX Cinema 12+ and adjacent to a recently opened Taco Bell. The Wichita, Kansas-based fast-food chain operates seven locations in the Greater Omaha area. – Nicole Buntgen

It turns out the party is not over at Montclair Shopping Center. The former Party City store at 12979 West Center Road has reopened as ZURCHERS Party + Costumes + Balloons. Founded in 1953, ZURCHERS is a family-owned store that now has 19 locations. All the stores had been in Utah and Idaho before ZURCHERS took over former Party City spaces in Omaha; Overland Park, Kan.; Springfield, Mo.; and Mesquite, Tex. Party City recently declared bankruptcy and closed all 800 of its stores.