Grow Omaha
News Briefs
First State Bank Opens at Aksarben Village
First State Bank Nebraska has opened in the DLR building at 6457 Frances Street in Aksarben Village. The Lincoln-based bank has 19 locations in southeast Nebraska. Other branches in close proximity to Omaha are in Plattsmouth and Yutan.
Steve Madden Store Closing at Nebraska Crossing
The Steve Madden Store at Nebraska Crossing plans to close permanently this week – Friday, December 20. The New York-based footwear and accessories retailer has approximately 255 stores. The Nebraska Crossing location is the only Steve Madden store in the region.
Modern Love Closing Six Months Early
Modern Love, the vegan restaurant at 3157 Farnam Street in Midtown Crossing, is closing permanently on Sunday, December 29th. The restaurant announced last month that it planned to shut down in summer 2025. No reason was provided for the accelerated closing timeline. Modern Love has been at the location for about 10 years.
Three New Tenants at West Maple Retail Building
New tenants plan to open in the retail strip at 17205 Evans Street on of the south side Maple. The Loft Pilates filed a permit to finish a 1,900 sq. ft. space in the building. Scissors & Scotch, a high-end men’s grooming shop, also plans to open in the building. Finally, construction is underway of Talus Spirits and Sustenance which will open its second location in 4,000 sq. ft. space in the building. The original Talus opened in Papillion in 2022. – Isaiah Ang
New Development Slated for Northeast Corner of 72nd & Dodge
A mixed-use development could be in the works for the northeast corner of 72nd & Dodge Street, Mayor Jean Stothert said today. A group recently purchased the current Petco building and is planning major changes for the site. Details have not yet been announced. The $900 million Crossroads project is expected to break ground this spring on the northwest corner. The $158 million Omaha Central Library is under construction on the southwest corner.
Nail Salon Coming to Heartwood Preserve
Heartwood Preserve will welcome a new nail salon at 248 North 144th Street. That building is currently occupied and bookended by Little King and First Watch. The permit filed for a new tenant finish for Heartwood Nail Spa indicates the new tenant will occupy 2,200 sq. ft. – Isaiah Ang
All Makes to Move Lincoln Store Next Spring
All Makes, the Omaha-based office furniture and equipment company, is moving it Lincoln showroom from 3333 O Street to the “Telegraph District” near 21st & N Street. The move should take place in May. In addition to Omaha and Lincoln, All Makes has showrooms in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as Kearney, Columbus and North Platte, Neb.
Burger Detour Plans to Build at 120th & L
Progress may be on the horizon for the long-vacant former Famous Dave’s site southwest of 120th & L Street. Burger Detour has been advertising a location there, but no apparent site work has started since the Famous Dave’s was demolished a few years ago. Last week, Burger Detour filed a permit for a 2,200 sq. ft. building on the site. Burger Detour is a locally owned hamburger concept with two current locations at 18308 Evans Street and 1220 South 203rd Street. – Isaiah Ang
Frontier Suspends 40 Routes Including OMA to DFW
Frontier Airlines, the Denver-based bare-bones carrier, is suspending more than 40 routes indefinitely, according to SimpleFlying.com. One of those routes is Omaha to Dallas-Fort Worth. In addition to DFW, Frontier offers nonstop flights from Omaha to Denver and Orlando. Frontier is a minor player at Eppley Airfield as it carries only 2.5 percent of total Omaha passengers.
Engineering Firm Relocates to Heartwood Preserve
Carollo Engineers, a water/wastewater engineering firm, relocated its Omaha office from Miracle Hills to the Carson 2 Building in Heartwood Preserve southwest of 144th & West Dodge Road. The firm is leasing space from Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, which also recently relocated to the building. California-based Carollo has locations across the country. The new office will allow the firm to add new engineers, project managers and BIM designers.
A Hundred Local Students Receive Free Chromebooks
More than 100 students received free Chromebook computers last week at The Ashton building in Millwork Commons thanks to AT&T, Human I-T and AIM Institute. Recipients were part of AIM’s Youth Academy Upward Bound, a partnership serving “first-generation/under-resourced,” college-bound students from Bryan High School, Papillion La Vista High School, Papillion La Vista South High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. The donation occurred after the Upward Bound/Talent Search Winter College and Career Fair.
Golf Simulator & Sports Bar Opens This Week
Fore Seasons Golf Simulator & Sports Bar will officially open its doors December 18 in a 4,500 sq. ft. space at 19150 Pacific Street, according to owners Matt Lentz and Craigan Metcalf. The venue boasts six state-of-the-art golf simulators, a 5,000 sq. ft. outdoor patio and a sports bar with 16 televisions. Fore seasons allows customers to golf more than 285 simulated PGA courses.
Nebraska Second Most Secure State for Remote Work
Nebraska is the second-most secure state for remote workers in 2025, according to Indusface, which uncovered which states are the most secure by analyzing factors such as the number of scams per 10,000 residents, the cost of scams and the average internet speed. North Dakota was number one. Iowa was number five.
Former Red Lobster Converting to IHOP
The former Red Lobster restaurant building at 3040 Dial Drive in Council Bluffs’ Lake Manawa Power Centre is being renovated into an IHOP restaurant. Hiring is now underway.
New Restaurant Opens in Former Sinful Burger Space
Burning Bridges Food Truck will open its brick-and-mortar location on December 13 at 14544 West Center Road in the former Sinful Burger space in Harvey Oaks Plaza. Current menu items include gluten-free offerings like fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, twister fries and pickle chips. – Nicole Buntgen
Press Club Makes Statement About Possible Building Sale
FNBO plans to sell its 53-year-old, “Main Bank” building at 1620 Dodge Street to NuStyle Development, which would renovate it into apartments. Many Omahans are wondering how the sale would affect the Omaha Press Club, which has long occupied the 22nd floor. “The Board of Directors of the Omaha Press Club have been in communication with officials from NuStyle, and both parties are interested in maintaining the club in its current location,” said Robert Meyers, president of the Omaha Press Club. “Our discussions have been very productive, and we look forward to continuing to work with the new owners and reaching an amicable conclusion.”
Back Nine Golf Coming to Shadow Lake Towne Center
Back Nine Golf is expected to open soon at 7775 Olson Drive in Papillion’s Shadow Lake Towne Center. The indoor simulated golf business has an existing Omaha store at 10730 Pacific Street in Regency Landing. The St. George, Utah-based company has locations in 10 states.
Apartments Planned Near Metro Crossing in Council Bluffs
Cornerstone Housing Group plans to develop a 13.8-acre greenfield site in Council Bluffs into a 280-unit apartment complex. The site is located on the southeast side of Power Drive & 35th Avenue, just south of Sam’s Club at Metro Crossing Shopping Center. The complex will boast four 4-story buildings, a clubhouse with community space and business center, an outdoor pool and sport courts. Construction is planned to begin in Spring of 2025 with completion anticipated by the end of 2027. – Isaiah Ang
New Retailer Opens in the Old Market
CRAFTEA, an apothecary and tea shop, has opened at 1217 Leavenworth Street just south of the Bemis Center in Omaha’s Old Market district. The woman-owned business specializes in nature-inspired products that promote wellness and holistic living. Offerings include drinkware, stationery, gift bags, jewelry and self-care items. – Nicole Buntgen
New Iteration of Rivera’s Opening in February
Santoro Restaurant officially announced a February opening date at 8601 West Dodge Road in Indian Hills Plaza. The restaurant is owned by Jesus Rivera, who ran the former Rivera’s Mexican Food near 120th & Blondo Street. The 2,409 sq. ft. space will include an outdoor patio. – Nicole Buntgen
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Omaha Company Acquires Idaho Company
AMCON Distributing Company, an Omaha-based consumer products company, is acquiring Arrowrock Supply of Boise, Idaho from Davis-Jones Inc. Upon completion of this acquisition, AMCON will be servicing approximately 8,000 locations from 14 distribution facilities in 34 states. The transaction is expected to close in the company’s second quarter of fiscal 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.
Pivot Prime Taking Over Former Mahogany Prime Building
Pivot Prime, a new steakhouse concept by Lucky Eleven Hospitality Group, announced it will open in the spring of 2025 in the former Mahogany Prime Steakhouse building at 13665 California Street. Lucky Eleven HG also owns Salted EDGE and Sugared LEDGE Bakery. - Nicole Buntgen
Snooze Mattress Company Coming to Rockbrook Village
Snooze Mattress Company plans to open a second Omaha store at 10916 Prairie Brook Road in Rockbrook Village between Body Basics and Old World Oil & Vinegar. Interior build-out is underway. The Colorado mattress retailer opened its first Nebraska store last February at 16950 Wright Plaza in the Shops of Legacy. Snooze was founded in 2019 and has 10 locations currently open with many more under development.
El Salvadoran Restaurant Opening in Rockbrook Village
Miranda’s Taqueria y Pupuseria is holding a grand opening tomorrow (December 12) at 11036 Elm Street in Rockbrook Village. The restaurant “brings the authentic flavors and traditions of El Salvador” to Omaha and is located in the former Pulled BBQ space.
National Retailer Opening First Nebraska Location at Westroads
Box Lunch, a national specialty retailer is opening a first-to-market store at Westroads Mall on January 31. The California-based retailer donates one meal to a local food bank for every $10 spent on their pop-culture products. In Omaha, Box Lunch will partner with Foodbank for the Heartland.
Local Apartment Rent Up 9 Percent Over Last Year
The average one-bedroom apartment in Omaha is now about $1,100 a month up 9 percent since this time last year, according to KMTV. Two-bedroom apartment rent is now approximately $1,500 per month up 5.8 percent.
Taqueria Ed Rey Taking Over Former Wendy’s
Taqueria El Rey is taking over a former Wendy’s restaurant at 4161 South 84th Street. Renovations are currently underway. The original Taqueria El Rey is at 5201 South 24th Street and serves a wide range of Mexican food including breakfast. The business also operates food trucks around town.
Corn Coast Brewing Expanding to Omaha Metro
Corn Coast Brewing, a Lincoln-based brewery, plans to open a taproom at 10717 Virginia Plaza in La Vista. That’s next to HOTWORX and near both Kros Strain and Pint Nine breweries. Corn Coast focuses on small-batch brews, including “aggressively hoppy” IPAs, “crushable session” beers and seltzers. – Nicole Buntgen
Iowa Food Truck Business Coming to Omaha
Tikka Talk, an Indian street-food truck, will open a Nebraska location on March 29. The Iowa-based concept serves authentic Indian dishes like crispy samosas, butter chicken, Chettinad curry and fragrant chai. – Nicole Buntgen
Guitars & Cadillacs Is Coming Back to Omaha
Guitars & Cadillacs is reopening in Omaha after closing more than 20 years ago. The country-music dance club will open in the newly renovated Miracle Hills Shopping Center northwest of 114th & West Dodge Road. Perkins-Critser Construction will begin interior build-out soon. Opening is planned for late spring or early summer. Omaha’s original Guitars & Cadillacs was located in Old Mill South and closed in 2003.
Animania Returns to Westroads Mall
Animania has returned to Westroads Mall with two units in the building. One is a regular retailer, while the other also sells shaved ice, hot tea, ice cream and other concessions. ANIMANIA is a local retailer that sells east Asian items. The store had been in Westroads before moving downtown in June 2023. The downtown store appears to be closed.
National Trade Publication Highlights Nebraska Business Incentives
Site Selection, a national publication that covers the economic development profession, published an article about Nebraska’s ImagiNE Nebraska tax incentive program. Passed in 2020, the program has helped 50 copies invest a total of $1.55 billion and create 2,500 new jobs in the state.
Bowlero Rebranding as Lucky Strike
After buying the Lucky Strike brand last year, Bowlero has decided to rebrand its entire company as Lucky Strike Entertainment, according to the Wall Street Journal. Richmond, Virginia-based Bowlero operates 75 locations, including one in Omaha at 20902 Cumberland Drive and one in Council Bluffs at 1900 Madison Avenue. All locations will be rebranded over the next two years.
Torrid Opens at Shadow Lake Towne Center
Torrid has opened at Shadow Lake Towne Center in a 3,470 sq. ft. space near Skin Experts and Bath & Body Works, according to ACCESS Commercial. Torid is a chain of plus-size women’s fashion and accessory stores. The brand has an existing store at Oakview Mall.
Legendary Businessman Howard Hawks Dies at Age 89
Omaha businessman and philanthropist Howard Hawks has died at age 89. Hawks co-founded Omaha-based Tenaska in 1987 and served as its chairman & CEO until 2010. He was elected to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, serving from 2003 to 2021. Together with his wife, Rhonda, he made countless donations to the University of Nebraska system and other causes. In a written statement, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said: “I offer my sympathy to Rhonda and thanks to my friend Howard for his lifetime of service that will have long lasting benefits to our city and state."
Streetcar Authority to Vote on Bridge Replacements
The Omaha Streetcar Authority will vote next week to approve a contract with Hawkins Construction for the $20 million Farnam and Harney Street Bridge Improvements project, part of the modern streetcar project. The bridge project will consist of multiple phases to account for utility and mainline work. Both bridges over I-480 will be demolished and rebuilt to accommodate the modern streetcar. The Harney Street bridge will be the first. The Farnam Street bridge will also have space for the dedicated bike lane project. The authority expects each bridge will take one year to complete, two years total. – Isaiah Ang
Milk Tea Lounge Opens on West Center Road
Milk Tea Lounge, a boba tea and snack lounge, has opened at 14533 West Center Road. The locally owned shop includes boba tea, Açaí bowls, organic fruit sorbet, desserts and smoothies. – Nicole Buntgen
Creighton University Renovating Original Building
Creighton University plans to renovate Creighton Hall, the original building on the Jesuit university campus. In 2020, the Heider Family Foundation helped provide the 146-year-old building with new lighting, its first update in 90 years. Plans include updating electrical, water and fire suppression systems as well as renovating and creating meeting spaces. Prairie Construction Company filed the permit. The $8 million project is funded by sales of other properties, including the Wareham Building, and a gift from The Ahmanson Foundation. Completion is scheduled for 2026. – Isaiah Ang
Orsi’s Expands Its Shop in Little Italy
Orsi’s Italian Bakery & Pizzeria, a local bakery in Omaha’s Little Italy district at 621 Pacific Street, recently added a dining area, accommodating 36 people, to the west side of its building. Founded in 1919, Orsi’s is known for its handmade Italian twist bread and hearty Sicilian-style pizza. – Nicole Buntgen
Southwest Airlines Changes Cabin Service Procedures
Southwest Airlines is wrapping up in-flight cabin service earlier, according to Associated Press. As of this week, flight attendants now prepare the cabin for landing at an altitude of 18,000 feet instead of 10,000 feet. The change in procedure is designed to “reduce the risk of in-flight turbulence injuries” for crew members and passengers. Southwest currently controls 37 percent of the passenger traffic at Eppley Airfield.
