Grow Omaha
News Briefs

Applications for Mayor Jean Stothert’s 2025 Neighborhood Grants program are now being accepted and are due March 3. The mayor has awarded grants to Omaha neighborhood associations annually since 2014. Organizations are eligible for up to $5,000 for projects that increase public safety and crime prevention and improve quality of life. Applications are at https://mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/. Neighborhood organizations must be registered and listed in the city’s Neighborhood Directory.

Too Many Tanks, a locally owned pet store, has opened at 8445 West Center Road. The store sells fish, reptiles and supplies. Both freshwater and saltwater aquariums are available.

Good news for the Omaha business community - The Wall Street Journal this week interviewed Howard Buffett, the 70-year-old son of Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett. The younger Buffett will become the non-executive chairman of the $1trillion conglomerate when his father is no longer capable of running the company. Referring to the future of Berkshire’s headquarters location, Howard Buffett said, “It will never move from Omaha, Nebraska.”

Waybridge Ketamine Clinics is opening a second location in Nashville, Tenn. in the Green Hills Neighborhood. The Omaha-based business offers treatments for depression, PTSD, anxiety and pain. Waybridge opened its original flagship location in October 2023 near 168th & West Center Road, which serves eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

GUGU Ramen, a ramen and Korean fried chicken concept, will soon open at 9820 South 71st Plaza in the corner bay of a strip mall next to Jersey’s Mikes. That’s just off 72nd & Cornhusker Road in Papillion and adjacent to Golden Apple Buffet, which opened in June 2024 under the same ownership. – Nicole Buntgen

Kohl’s is closing 27 underperforming stores in 15 states, according to Fox Business. None of them are in Nebraska or Iowa. Ten of the closing stores are in California. The Wisconsin-based retail chain has more than 1,150 stores, including five in the Omaha metro.

New vendors are on the horizon at Inner Rail Food Hall in Aksarben Village. Papi’s Mexican Grill recently opened, specializing in authentic tacos, burritos, and customizable bowls. Other vendors coming soon include All-American Burger, which specializes in smash burgers and fries, and The Grove, a local cold-pressured juice and wellness cafe with existing locations downtown and in west Omaha. – Nicole Buntgen

The Levi Carter Park Activity and Sports Complex project is about to move forward. In two weeks, the city council will vote on an ordinance to hire Hausmann Construction, Inc. as construction manager at risk. The project will consist of a 100,000 sq. ft. facility with 10 basketball/volleyball courts, a wrestling room, weightlifting room, computer labs and community space. Additionally, the project will add 4 outdoor soccer fields and a 360-stall parking lot. The initial budget is $35,000,000. Site grading could start as early as this spring. The outdoor improvements will be turned over as soon as fall 2025, while the indoor facility could be completed by August 2026. – Isaiah Ang

The Omaha City Council approved a resolution to pay $500,000 toward the Plaza de La Raza project in South Omaha. Located at 24th & N Street in the middle of the vibrant South 24th Street business district, the project site is currently a surface parking lot and small pedestrian plaza. Canopy South, a nonprofit organization, is leading the project and has plans to transform the parking lot into a public space. The City’s contribution will fund a children’s playground. Additional funding from the State of Nebraska and Douglas County total $6.5 million and will help fund the construction of a stage, open green space and revived pedestrian plaza. – Isaiah Ang

Exterior Signage is up for Meddys, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant at 17255 Davenport Street in the former Gunderson’s Jewelry space at Village Pointe. While an opening date has not been announced, this will mark the restaurant’s first Nebraska location. Meddys also operates in Missouri and Oklahoma and is known for its hummus, shawarmas and platters. – Nicole Buntgen

Starbucks has updated its store policies, now requiring all guests who enter its cafes to make a purchase. The new policy is effective across all North American locations and aims to address concerns related to non-paying visitors and people without housing. It also marks a shift from the company's previous open-door policy established in 2018, which allowed anyone to use its spaces regardless of purchase. – Nicole Buntgen

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has signed a development deal with TR Hospitality to open three new restaurants across Douglas and Sarpy counties. The brand has several existing locations in the Omaha metro. Wichita, Kansas-based Freddy’s has more than 550 restaurants in 36 states, with approximately 130 locations in development for 2025 and 2026.

The Hideaway Grill and Bar recently opened at 807 South 21st Street in the former Whistles Pub & Grub space in Council Bluffs. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. The family-owned restaurant runs $5 lunch specials and includes six televisions and a billiard hall. - Nicole Buntgen

Victress MVMT, a women’s strength and conditioning gym, will host its grand opening and ribbon cutting February 1 at 8035 South 83rd Avenue (near 84th & Giles) in La Vista. The gym focuses on women’s fitness and intentional training tailored to different stages of life. The gym has a current Omaha location at 1314 North 205th Street plus one in Lincoln. Expansion plans include West Des Moines, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; and Sioux Falls, S.D. - Nicole Buntgen

Outback Steakhouse has closed its location at 7605 Cass Street. Part of Tampa, Florida-based Bloomin' Brands, Inc., Outback continues to operate its other metro area locations at 2414 South 132nd Street in Omaha and southeast of Cornhusker Road & Kennedy Freeway in Bellevue.

The Omaha Streetcar Authority approved three contracts for additional construction and engineering work. The largest is $26.7 million with Sampson Construction to build the vehicle maintenance facility. One proponent of the resolution asked about the facility’s capacity if there are future streetcar routes to Council Bluffs or other locations. The facility will have capacity to absorb additional vehicle maintenance needs that future extensions may require, but additional storage will be needed. Completion of the maintenance facility is scheduled for December 2026. – Isaiah Ang

Signage has been installed for Señor Tequila Mexican Restaurant at 14440 F Street, where Cilantro's used to be located. Cilantro’s announced that it plans to move to the Oakview area. Señor Tequila has an existing location in Fremont. - Nicole Buntgen

Zaytuna, a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant, will open soon at 7204 Jones Street in the former Copps Pizza location. The family-owned business opened in 2020 and currently operates food trucks at 423 South 13th Street in downtown Omaha and 12701 South 28th Avenue in Bellevue, as well as a spot inside Inner Rail Food Hall in Aksarben. Zaytuna’s menu features popular items such as falafel, chicken shawarma, and baba ganoush. – Nicole Buntgen

Karnali Indian Cuisine has opened 843 North 98th Street. The restaurant operates in the former Sebastian’s Southern Crab space just east of Westroads Mall.

Elevate Cycling & Fitness has opened at 2111 South 67th Street in Aksarben Village, relocating from Rockbrook Village. The locally owned fitness studio offers a range of classes, including cycling, HIIT, sculpt, endurance and strength training. Elevate also operates Elevate Medspa and Elevate Stretch & Cryotherapy, all located in Omaha. – Nicole Buntgen