Grow Omaha
News Briefs

Legacy Chophouse, a new steakhouse concept, is expected to take over the former Jams restaurant space at 170th & West Center Road. Opening is planned for October 1st. Legacy Chophouse will be owned by Daryl Leise, former manager of The Drover. Jams permanently closed its west Omaha location June 30th, but its locations at 78th & Dodge and in the Old Market remain open. – Grow Omaha staff

The University of Nebraska Medical Center plans to raze several student-housing structures near 39th & Dewey Avenue the week of July 24th to make way for a $65 million residence hall. UNMC also plans to demolish vacant buildings on Leavenworth Street on both sides of Barrett’s Barleycorn. There are no current development plans for these properties. – Isaiah Ang

Cattle Call, a new tapas and wine bar concept, has officially opened at 1603 Farnam Street in the former Culprit Café space next to The Green Room. Soft opening was June 22nd. The downtown bar serves late-night food and has a retail wine and spirit section. Cattle Call is also the new home for Kathmandu Momo Station, which was formerly in the Blackstone District. – NIcole Buntgen

For only the third time in 2024, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, an economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, climbed above growth neutral. The June reading was 51.3, up from 48.2 in May. A reading of 50.0 is growth neutral. – Grow Omaha staff

Fore Seasons, a golf simulator and sports lounge, is opening its first Omaha-area location in a 4,500 sq. ft. space near 192nd & Pacific Street. The locally owned business will allow customers to golf more than 285 simulated PGA courses. Plans call for future locations in Gretna, Bennington and Lincoln. – Grow Omaha staff

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is moving forward with building a 750-stall parking garage just north of the Catalyst Building. UNMC submitted a permit this week for construction of the 7-level parking garage. The City of Omaha will purchase and operate the parking garage upon completion – Isaiah Ang

Stories Coffee Company has opened a drive-thru-only location at 10710 Q Street. The shop, which has four other Omaha locations and one in Lincoln, is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and features a walk-up window and outdoor seating. – Nicole Buntgen

A developer seeks to bring a Starbucks to the northeast corner of 120th & Fort Street. The reported address is 12201 Fort Street. A permit application was filed this week for a 2,400 sq. ft. building that appears to be in the mixed-used development adjacent to the new Tranquility Park redevelopment. – Isaiah Ang

Santoro by J. Rivera, has leased a 2,409 sq. ft. space on the east end of the 8601 Dodge Street building, according to NAI NP Dodge, which brokered the lease. The restaurant will be owned and operated by Jesus Rivera, who ran the former Rivera’s Mexican Food restaurant near 120th & Blondo Street. The new space will include an outdoor patio. Rivera plans to open by the end of the year. – Grow Omaha Staff 

Werner Enterprises, Inc., an Omaha-based, Fortune 1000 trucking company, has been selected as a 2024 Top Supply Chain Projects award recipient by Supply & Demand Chain Executive. The recognition highlights Werner’s dynamic pricing engine, an AI-powered solution designed to optimize transportation costs, improve pricing accuracy and streamline pricing processes. – Grow Omaha Staff

The Catios, a cat boarding facility, has opened at 6153 Military Avenue in Benson. The owner describes the business as a “hotel that’s cat-oriented but also designed to house small mammals.” – Grow Omaha Staff

CarePatrol of Omaha opened earlier this spring at 2916 South 132nd Street in Baker Square. The local franchise is owned by Joel High and works with seniors and their families helping them find independent living, assisted living and memory care communities. Because the senior living communities pay for this service after a resident moves in, there is no charge to seniors or their families. – Grow Omaha Staff

Community Alliance, a nonprofit mental health agency, is opening its new facility at 72nd & Mercy Road June 27. The agency will provide counseling, psychiatric and pharmacy services at the 127,000 sq. ft. building. Donations, with a leading gift from the Hawks Foundation and state-issued ARPA funds, helped fund the $67 million project. – Isaiah Ang

Jams Modern American restaurant will close its west Omaha location at 170th & West Center Road on June 30th. Jams’ locations at 78th & Dodge Street and 11th & Harney Street will remain open. Alice, a cocktail bar on the building’s lower level, will remain open. A replacement tenant has not yet been announced. – Grow Omaha Staff

Hawaii Fluid Art, an art studio franchise that opened in March, held its official grand opening last week at 715 North 132nd Street near the Linden Market Hy-Vee. The business offers fluid, resin and other art experiences, and is the only location in Nebraska or Iowa. The company started in Hawaii and now has 42 locations in 22 states. – Nicole Buntgen

Rue 21, the teen apparel retailer that went out of business earlier this year, is planning to reopen its store at Westroads Mall. YM, Inc. purchased the brand and will open only 101 of the 540 Rue 21 stores. Westroads is one of those locations. The exact opening date has not yet been announced.- Grow Omaha Staff

The UPS Store is now open in the former Takechi Jewelry store space in the Keeline Building at 321 south 17th STreet downtown. The historic, 7-story Keeline Building recently went through a $6.8 million renovation. – Grow Omaha Staff

Rally House will open its fourth metro area store in August at Westroads Mall in the former GO Calendars space by Von Maur on the first floor. Kansas City-based Rally House sells specialty sports apparel, gifts and home decor. – Grow Omaha Staff

The Fowling Warehouse, a mash-up between football and bowling, is scheduled to open in mid-July two blocks north of 90th & Fort Street. The 50,000 sq. ft. space will have 30 lanes of “fowling,” two full bars and a dedicated meeting space. The Fowling Warehouse can accommodate individuals, families, company outings and large events. – Grow Omaha Staff

Developers are planning a mixed-use development on the northeast corner of 168th & State Street. The current agricultural land would be turned into commercial lots for several new office and retail buildings. Six buildings are shown on the initial plans totaling more than 56,000 sq. ft. of new construction. – Isaiah Ang