Grow Omaha
News Briefs

Panda Express held a grand opening today for its newest Omaha-area location at 12448 Southport Parkway in La Vista’s Southport West area. The fast-food restaurant is located near Cabela’s and Embassy Suites.

Scooter’s Coffee is teaming up with Hasbro, the toy and game company, to bring CANDY LAND to coffee lovers nationwide. Through this collaboration, Omaha-based Scooter’s Coffee created a new, limited time menu rooted in the playful nostalgia of the classic board game, CANDY LAND, for its more than 825 locations nationwide this holiday season.

The Omaha Public Works Department is working on the Urban Core Street Reconfiguration Study, which incorporates the area from Saddle Creek Road to the Missouri River and Cuming Street to Leavenworth Street. The study will evaluate the street network, identify recommended changes and develop plans and timelines to implement the changes. Goals include improving safety for all modes of transit, increasing multi-modal connectivity and helping obtain funding for future projects. Possible infrastructural changes might include converting one-way streets to two-way streets, road diets and adding bike lanes. The study started last May and will conclude in May 2025. – Isaiah Ang

The Omaha Airport Authority announced today that Allegiant will offer seasonal nonstop service from Eppley Airfield to Sarasota, Fla. starting February 14th. Allegiant currently offers nonstop service from Eppley to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando (Sanford), Phoenix/Mesa and several cities in Florida.

A developer plans to build multifamily buildings in the Old Mill area at 10842 and 10826 Farnam Drive. Currently, there are two, 2-story office buildings. Sandwiched between the office buildings is a 4-story, 383-stall parking garage. The garage will remain, but the office buildings will be razed, and in their place, the 4-story apartment buildings will be constructed. The development will have outdoor pickleball courts, additional surface parking and up to 50 car chargers in the garage, expandable to 100. The two buildings will total 327 units with a mix of one-to-three-bedroom apartments. – Isaiah Ang

Ruth’s Chris Steak House might be coming to the Sterling Ridge development southeast of 132nd & Pacific Street. An amendment to a development agreement submitted to the Omaha Planning Board proposes a 6-story apartment building with ground-floor retail. The documentation shows space for a 13,543 sq. ft. Ruth’s Chris restaurant with seating for 380 diners. The closest existing Ruth’s Chris is in West Des Moines, Iowa. Kansas City once had a location, but it closed several years ago. – Isaiah Ang

Construction is underway on a future Arby’s restaurant building at 196th & Oakmont Drive in Gretna. That’s part of the Gretna Landing development northwest of 192nd & Highway 370. The building is fully enclosed. It will sit on a one-acre pad site in front of a planned Fleet Farm store. Gretna has an existing Arby’s location at 11310 Wickersham Boulevard.

SHARE Omaha is inviting people to select from more than 17 local nonprofit Holiday Collection Drives to support. Opportunities are listed and detailed to support more than 18,000 program participants of local charities. The list is available at shareomaha.org/holiday.

Roja Mexican Grill is celebrating its 20-year anniversary today (November 18th) with $5 house margaritas all week long. Located at 170th & West Center Road, Roja is part of Omaha-based Flagship Restaurant Group. – Nicole Buntgen

Starting Wednesday, December 20th, 8th Street between Farnam and Douglas streets will be temporarily closed to traffic, according to The Riverfront newsletter. The closure will remain in effect through the afternoon of Friday, December 22nd.

Thanksgiving Church is planning an $8 million expansion and renovation of their facilities on the southwest corner of 36th & Highway 370 in Bellevue. Groundbreaking will take place Sunday, November 24th. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months.

Construction is underway on an ALDI grocery store northwest of 192nd & Highway 370. It’s part of the Gretna Landing development. Other retailers either open or coming soon to the development include Fleet Farm, Chase Bank, Arby’s, Starbuck’s Coffee, Walgreen’s, McDonald’s, Scooter’s and Centris Credit Union.

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard will host its annual Thanksgiving Market on November 26–27 in the Exit Barn. The pop-up will feature hard cider samplings, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and fall treats available for preorder or purchase day of. Items will include pies, caramel apples, soft pretzels, kettle corn and more. – Nicole Buntgen

The Peter Kiewit Foundation, one of Omaha’s prodigious philanthropic donors, plans to spend $480 million by 2030 to wind down the organization. According to the Omaha World Herald, the foundation has historically spent $25 to $50 million, but the current plan may lead to even larger investments in the Omaha community. The foundation has provided almost $1 billionto a variety of projects, local non-profits and the University of Nebraska system. The foundation donated $55 million to The Riverfront Parks project. With over $225 million donated to support projects in the Urban Core, it’s anticipated that the foundation will make additional investments in projects that will continue the downtown area’s transformation. – Isaiah Ang

30hop will officially open its first Nebraska location on December 6th at 114 North 145th Street in Heartwood Preserve. The bar and grill has additional locations in Ankeny, Coralville and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. – Nicole Buntgen

Doctors of Physical Therapy opened its third location at 8124 South 84th Street at Brentwood Square in La Vista on November 2nd. The business has existing locations in Millard and Fremont. Doctors of Physical Therapy “provides personalized care for injuries and pain for all ages and all insurance types.”

Avant-Garde Wealth Partners celebrated a grand opening and ribbon cutting this week, in conjunction with the Greater Omaha Chamber, at its new location in the Historic Danish Brotherhood Building at 3717 Harney Street in the Blackstone District.

Ooh De Lally has expanded its weekly offering to include a Sunday brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This brunch takes place every Sunday, and includes things like Picanha Steak, Shakshuka, Mac & Cheese, a full bagel and pastries spread and more. – Nicole Buntgen

The Fat Putter plans to open at the end of November at 713 Walnut Street in Des Moines, Iowa. The 11,600 sq. ft. space will be modeled after the original downtown Omaha location with different themed holes, according to The Des Moines Register. The Omaha-based company also operates Prehistoric Putt, Medieval Putt and additional locations in Lincoln and Kansas City. – Nicole Buntgen

Comfort Made Mattress Factory’s first Omaha location is now open at 14941 Evans Plaza. That’s in a retail strip along the souths side of West Maple Road anchored by Planet Fitness. The Lincoln-based company is a custom mattress retailer.