Grow Omaha
News Briefs

The volume of debris from the July 31st storm in some neighborhoods far exceeds estimates, reinforcing the projected timeline that it could take three weeks or longer. Many people have pushed debris into the street, causing a driving hazard. Residents are asked to keep the street clear. City employees are working weekend shifts at debris drop-off locations and on curbside collection. – City of Omaha

Meddys, a Mediterranean eatery and craft bar, plans to open its first Nebraska location inside the former Gunderson’s Jewelry store at Village Pointe shopping center. Kansas-based Meddys has nine existing locations all of them in the Wichita and Kansas City areas. The opening date is yet to be announced. – Grow Omaha staff

Via Farina will open a second location this October in Regency Landing at 10730 Pacific Street in the corner bay next to Twisted Cork. Doubling the size of its current Little Italy location, the modern Italian restaurant will act as a production hub for both venues and will serve lunch, dinner, desserts and breads through an open-kitchen format. The concept will include a “pasta lab” where all pasta is made in-house behind a glass display, plus a cocktail bar and a “charcuterie island” with portions cut to order. – Nicole Buntgen

Frank’s Pizzeria officially reopened its Capitol District location yesterday at 1170 Capitol Avenue under new ownership after closing in January. Frank’s also operates a location at The Alley in Bellevue at 601 Chateau Drive. The restaurant specializes in New York-style pizzas. – Nicole Buntgen

The giant tower crane at the Mutual of Omaha headquarters downtown construction site rose 80 feet yesterday as workers added four, 20-foot sections. The higher tower crane will allow the shear core to keep climbing. The concrete core has been poured through level 17. Crews are now working on level 18. – Grow Omaha staff

Board & Brush, a sip-and-paint woodworking studio, will open its first Nebraska location at 6016 Maple Street in Benson. An official opening date has yet to be announced. The franchise describes itself as a creative studio that combines woodworking with DIY projects and has nearly 300 locations across 43 states. – Nicole Buntgen

Quiznos, a once-popular sub sandwich restaurant chain, has returned to the Omaha market inside the Gretna Pump & Pantry near Nebraska Crossing. Pump & Pantry, a Nebraska-based convenience store, recently announced an expanded Quiznos partnership with plans for six additional Nebraska locations by 2026, with four currently in operation. Quiznos had nearly 5,000 locations nationwide in the early 2000s. – Nicole Buntgen

The University of Nebraska Medical Center received Omaha Planning Board approval of a rezoning application this week for a property southwest of 38th & Dewey. The property had older student housing and surface parking. The old housing has been demolished, making way for a new student and staff housing project. UNMC plans to build 300 residential units at the site. – Isaiah Ang

ALDI is heading to the Gretna Landing development just northwest of 192nd & Highway 370 at 19311 Oakmont Drive. The supermarket chain’s location will be south of the future Fleet Farm superstore and west of the largest Hy-Vee in the country, which opened in June 2023. ALDI has seven area locations and is currently hiring for a full-time assistant store manager at its new store. – Nicole Buntgen

Happy Mango Bakery recently opened in La Vista at 9635 Giles Road, near Ref’s Sports Bar at 96th & Giles. The family-owned bakery offers ready-made treats, custom desserts, and classroom space for decorating classes. Supplies and packaging are provided, with classes ranging from creating monster cupcakes to decorating focaccia to learning cake fundamentals. – Nicole Buntgen

Pandora plans to open a jewelry store soon at Village Pointe Shopping Center. The future store is under development between Lululemon and Kendra Scott. Pandora designs, manufactures, and markets hand-finished and contemporary jewelry made from high-quality materials. – Grow Omaha staff

Interior build-out is now underway inside a 4,158 sq. ft. retail bay at 8216 City Centre Drive in La Vista. The tenant will be Oasis Cigar Lounge. The space is adjacent to The Astro Theater and Astro Amphitheater. – Grow Omaha staff

To assist residents with disposal of spoiled perishable food, the City of Omaha’s ‘Under the Sink’ facility will offer a limited opportunity for disposal. The facility is located at 4001 Sout 120th Street. A dumpster at this location will be available through Saturday, August 10 for food disposal. All food must be in clear or white bags, no dark bags will be accepted. The dumpster will be emptied daily.

After two years in operation, CTRL Coffee & Cereal Bar will close its downtown Omaha location on August 18th due to slower traffic during the school year. Owners Nick and Jenny Maestas, who also own Muchachos, announced they will open a new CTRL location in southwest Lincoln. – Nicole Buntgen

Mayor Jean Stothert said the announcement that Kellogg’s will close its Omaha plant came as a shock and that the Michigan-based cereal manufacturer notified her at 7:42 this morning with an email to the mayor’s hotline. “After more than 75 years in Omaha, Kellogg’s will leave a big void. Our first concern will be the Kellogg’s employees, and assisting them transition to new employment as Kellogg’s prepares to reduce production next year and close in 2026,” Stothert said.

WOWT reported this morning that Kellogg’s will close its Omaha plant at 9601 F Street by the end of 2026. The Michigan-based cereal maker currently manufactures 27 products at the Omaha plant, which has been in operation for more than 60 years. Approximately 600 people work on site.

Ajisai Sushi plans to open tomorrow in the former Best Bison space at 163 North 78th Street. The restaurant will offer “all-you-can-eat sushi.” – Grow Omaha staff

The Nebraska Area Health Education Center Scholars Program, based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, recently graduated 58 students. The two-year program, part of a national initiative, prepares health professions students to serve in rural and urban underserved areas of the state. During the program, students engage with a variety of health professionals, community leaders and potential employers to better understand the communities they will serve.

Adams & Sullivan, P.C., LLO, recently held a ribbon cutting last week for its new office at 1413 South Washington Street in Papillion. The firm has four attorneys and focuses on estate planning, family & employment law, real estate and personal injury. – Grow Omaha staff

The Fōwling Warehouse has opened its first Nebraska or Iowa location at 5585 North 90th Street in the Plaza North Shopping Center in Omaha. The indoor recreation and sporting-entertainment business combines elements of bowling and football inside a 50,000 sq. ft. space. In addition to 30 fōwling lanes, the space has 27 televisions and two full bars. The Fōwling Warehouse started in Detroit and now has nine locations in seven states. – Grow Omaha staff