The February 12 Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

The Peregrine Omaha Hotel has opened The Gilded Feather, a full-service restaurant inside the downtown hotel at 18th & Douglas Street. The hotel will also open The Perch, its rooftop bar concept, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for March 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Millwork Commons will soon welcome a bar-and-restaurant to the burgeoning urban district in North Downtown. According to a building permit, The Academy Bar will be one of the first tenants on the ground floor of the Nova, a mixed-use building on the southeast corner of 12th & Nicholas Street. The Nova will have 74 apartment units and 20,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail, of which The Academy Bar will occupy 4,000 sq. ft.

The Omaha area’s ninth Chick-fil-A restaurant will soon be under construction. According to a city building permit, Chick-fil-A will open at 5121 South 205th Street. This location is on the northwest corner of 204th & Q Street and also has a Baker’s supermarket under construction.

Stella’s Bar & Grill suffered fire damage yesterday morning at 106 Galvin Road South in Bellevue. The restaurant will be closed for an undetermined period of time. The 90-year-old business is famous for its burgers served on paper napkins as well as the “Stellanator,” a massive burger that challenges guests to finish it in 45 minutes or less.

After nearly 50 years in business, Jerico’s Restaurant plans to close permanently. Its last day of service will be this Saturday – February 14. Located at 11732 West Dodge Road, Jerico’s is famous for prime rib, steaks and its classic décor.

Omaha Steaks will close its restaurant supply division to focus on retail and direct-to-consumer sales. The Omaha-based meat purveyor plans to open more than a dozen retail stores this year and consolidate plant production at its Omaha facility near 90th & F Streets.

Eddie Bauer has closed its store at Nebraska Crossing at Interstate 80 & Highway 31 in Gretna. The troubled Seattle-based retailer is closing all its stores across the nation. Coming-soon signs indicate the space will be filled by The Buckle, the Kearney, Nebraska-based clothing retailer that has 444 stores in 42 states.

Pilates Addiction, an upstart chain of elevated fitness boutiques that combines classic Pilates with strength training and recovery, is looking for potential sites in the Omaha market. The California-based brand has two existing locations and 18 “coming-soon” locations in 10 states.

Handmade Heaven, an artisan consignment shop, will relocate to Tiffany Place near the northwest corner of 132nd & West Center Road. The shop will remain open at its current location at 12100 West Center Road in Bel Air Plaza through February 21 before reopening in the new space.

Milla Beauty Lounge has opened at 20121 P Street, Suite 105. That’s northeast of 204th & Q Street. The locally owned business soft-opened on January 16th and held its grand opening January 30th. According to its website, Milla Beauty Lounge “specializes in a full range of services that cater to your hands, feet, face, and scalp – all delivered with the highest standards of hygiene and client care, while you enjoy a calming experience.”

Autozone plans to take over the former CVS Pharmacy at 8315 West Center Road, on the southeast corner of 84th and Center, according to a building permit for remodel of an existing building. It will be the national auto parts retailer‘s 14th Omaha-area store.

Learn more about Anderson Convenience market at www.Anderson1952.com

The Boiler Room Balances Elegance and Midwest Warmth

By Chris Corey

The Boiler Room was founded in 2009 by restaurateurs Mark and Vera Mercer with Paul Kulik as the opening chef. It was built inside a raw brick space in Omaha’s Old Market that originally had a gravel floor and required significant transformation into the fine-dining establishment it is today. The goal was to become a destination restaurant, and it’s often credited with helping redefine Omaha dining in the late 2000s.

Chef Tim Nicolson joined the restaurant a year and a half after it opened as a sous chef. Not long after, he became executive chef when Kulik opened La Buvette. He developed a close working relationship with Vera, who also owns La Buvette. Over time, he earned her trust and significant autonomy over the menu.

Nicolson is an Omaha native and didn’t have plans for a culinary career. While in high school, he worked at Panera Bread with his brother. It was just a job at the time, not a calling. He took Foods I and II as an elective, because a friend signed up for the class. His teacher quickly recognized his untapped potential. Nicholson was encouraged to join the school’s culinary competition, and that exposure to advanced cooking techniques sparked his interest. He discovered it combined all the elements he enjoyed—math, science and working with his hands.

“I kind of realized that, hey, I’m kind of enjoying this,” Nicolson recalled.

In 2005, Nicolson attended Metropolitan Community College’s culinary program where chefs Brian O’Malley and Kevin Newlin helped hone his culinary skills. While at Metro, he worked at Joey’s Seafood and Grill where he was mentored by chef Brad Groser. Years later, that foundation would carry him to the national stage as a James Beard Award semifinalist and finalist.

Boiler Room’s interior is elegant industrial, a restored turn-of-the-century warehouse given new life with a focus on refinement instead of polish. The walls are raw with original brick, the upper level lined with black metal railings that give way to an open mezzanine with a transparent look into the bustling kitchen. White tablecloths and soft lighting turn rough edges into gentle romance. The industrial elements feel intentional, warmed by the candlelight that flickers throughout the restaurant.

“That’s always been the entire point,” Nicholson said. “To come here and get a new experience.”

Jennifer and I started our Boiler Room experience with a cocktail each and one we shared. We moved into an appetizer, two entrees and more dessert samples than we planned—totally worth it.

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Omaha’s Population Is Growing—But the Real Story is Who’s Leaving

By Kacie Ferrazzo

The Omaha metro area crossed a major milestone in 2024: a population of more than 1 million people. According to Dr. Josie Schafer, director of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, that moment was both exciting and revealing.

“We’re on a steady, upward trajectory,” Schafer said. From 2020 to 2024, the Omaha metro grew by 3.3 percent — faster than the state as a whole and roughly on par with similar metro areas like Kansas City. While smaller places such as Sioux Falls, S.D., and Des Moines, Iowa, are growing more quickly, Omaha sits solidly in the middle when compared to peer metros.

What pushed Omaha over the one-million mark, however, was not people moving from other states. Instead, Schafer points to international migration as the key driver. Domestic migration — people moving state to state — remains negative for both the metro and Nebraska overall.

“That’s still true,” she said. “People move here every year, but more people leave than come in.”

Despite that, Schafer emphasized that the overall picture is not one of decline. Both the state and the metro continue to grow through natural change and international migration, which she describes as “a really positive thing,” especially as many regions across the country struggle with aging populations and population loss.

The more concerning trend, Schafer explained, is who is leaving. The Center for Public Affairs Research closely tracks “brain drain,” defined as adults age 25 and older with at least a bachelor’s degree. Nebraska has more than 450,000 residents in this category, with a significant share living in the Omaha metro.

Each year, the state gains some of these highly educated workers—but loses more than it gains. Recently, that net loss has been about 3,000 people statewide, an improvement from losses of around 4,500 in prior years. Roughly half of those losses come from the Omaha metro.

The pattern is telling. Many educated workers move from rural Nebraska into Omaha for their first professional job. Then, after a few years, they leave the state entirely.

“It used to be the 20-24-year-olds leaving,” Schafer said. “Now it’s the 30-34-year-old group.”

That shift is significant. These are often people with families, young children, homeownership and tax contributions. They are also often in stable, mid-career roles — professional positions or middle management — ready for the next step.

“And they’re not seeing it here,” Schafer said.

The issue, she believes, is not a lack of jobs. Omaha has many open positions and very low unemployment. Instead, it’s about job density at higher wage and higher skill levels. When those opportunities are limited, career progression can feel stalled.

“Jobs come first; social networks come second,” she said. “People are leaving for career opportunities.”

Pay plays a role as well. In regions with dense job markets, employers must compete for workers, driving wages up. Without that competition, wages stagnate.

Schafer also pushed back on common assumptions about why people leave Nebraska. The top destination for those leaving the state is Iowa, while Iowa also loses more people to Nebraska than any other state.

“So it’s not weather,” she said.

Looking ahead, Schafer predicts slow, steady population growth for Omaha — and with it, slow, steady economic growth.

“People are essential to the economy,” she said. “If we’re not growing the number of people, we can’t grow the economy.”

For Omaha’s future, Schafer believes the focus should be less on attracting new residents and more on retaining the ones already here.

“If we can retain more,” she said, “we would grow from within.”

And that starts, she emphasized, with career opportunity.

“People who are from Nebraska,” Schafer said, “want to be in Nebraska.”

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

In this week’s Council Bluffs City Council Meeting, Pete Tulipana presented Phase V of the River’s Edge development project. Tulipana is the president and CEO of Southwest Iowa Nonprofit for Collective Impact (SINC), the organization that leads funding efforts for the River’s Edge project.

SINC has raised more than $50 million in private donations to build the nearly complete MidAmerican Adventure Tower just north of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, as well as an under-construction pier just south of Interstate 480 along the Missouri Riverfront. The tower, and an attached elevated walkway through the treetops, will open this summer.

Phase V will consist of three major components: a playground north of I-480 next to River Park by Broadmoor apartment complex; a dog park north of I-480 next to a parking lot; and a donor commemoration and wayfinding plaza. Because the dog park is inside the 100-year flood zone, the city and SINC are considering alternative locations nearby.

Additional plans call for a fitness zone for children and a restroom facility. The future park will be served by a parking lot located underneath the I-480 bridge.

Construction will begin soon on an apartment project in an area that does not typically see a lot of development. The Radio apartment complex will be located northeast of 56th & Kansas Avenue. The 15-acre site was home to single family residence. The Radio will have 210 apartment units designated as affordable housing. It will consist of eight, 3-story apartment buildings and a community building with a pool.

USA TODAY has nominated Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens as one of the best botanical gardens as part of its 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The Omaha attraction hopes to end up ranked number one. Members of the public can vote daily until March 9 at 10:59 p.m. CDT. Each person can cast one vote per device per day at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/lauritzen-gardens-omaha-nebraska/

Forbes featured billionaire Ron Carson last week, calling him the “New Age Oracle of Omaha.” Carson is the founder of Carson Group, which has $55 billion in assets under management and 672 employees at its west Omaha headquarters. The article explores how Carson, 61, made a radical life change, by engaging personal coaches, taking psychedelics and fasting. He has legally changed his first name to Omani, and according to the article, has found joy.

Islands Media ranked the “Midwest’s 5 Best Little Italy Neighborhoods Worth Visiting,” and Omaha’s made the list. The others were in Cleveland, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Chicago. Regarding Little Italy Omaha, Islands said, “Omaha may have one of the least-known Little Italys in the Midwest, but it is surprisingly large, covering about a square mile of Nebraska’s largest city.” The article also featured Omaha’s Stile di Famiglia, a 13-foot-high sculpture of a fork wrapped in pasta at 1115 South 7th Street.

Sarpy County is preparing to move its 911 center. The county is renovating an old bank near the county courthouse on South Washington Street & Highway 370, according to WOWT. Emergency dispatchers have been working in the basement of the county’s administrative building since the mid-1990s.

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Edwards Auto Group has opened a new Kia dealership at 3600 South Expressway Street in Council Bluffs. The dealership features a modern showroom that displays the complete Kia lineup, an expanded service center and a larger vehicle inventory, according to a press release. Edwards Auto Group is a family‐owned network of dealerships in Iowa and Nebraska.

Union Pacific Corporation declared a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share on the company’s common stock, payable March 31, 2026, to shareholders of record February 27, 2026. Union Pacific has paid dividends on its common stock for 127 consecutive years.

Queen’s Touch Salon has opened inside Iconic Salon Suites at 2073 North 120th Street in North Park Commons. Locally owned by stylist Joahnea Turner, the business is a “sensory-safe” salon, using Applied Behavior Analysis to create a more comfortable haircare and grooming experience for autistic customers and their families.

4-Horn Trench & Shoring, a Texas-based provider of trench safety equipment, road plates and engineered shoring solutions for underground construction, has opened a Midwest branch at 6911 C Street in Omaha. The facility includes a 31,754 sq. ft., fully fenced laydown yard and a 4,400 sq. ft. building that combines warehouse and office space to support ongoing growth. The Omaha location is 4-Horn Trench & Shoring’s ninth location nationwide and its second branch in the Midwest, joining the existing site in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. Total revenues for the quarter were $737.6 million, a decrease of $17.0 million compared to the prior year. For all of 2025, total revenues of $2.97 billion, a decrease of $55.9 million, or 2 percent from the previous year.

Commercial Optical, an eyecare practice and eyewear retailer, has closed its store at 513 South 13th Street in the Old Market. The owner retired.

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The Omaha Municipal Land Bank is currently accepting applications from businesses in mowing, landscaping and snow and junk removal that are interested in joining land bank’s maintenance contracting team.

LiveWell Dress Well is hosting a “New Threads, New Starts” Community Partnership Event Saturday, February 21. Business owners and community leaders are invited to learn how to take part in sponsorships, donation boxes or partnerships in order to make a tangible local impact on the nonprofit’s mission to provide free professional clothing to individuals facing financial hardship.

The Omaha Venture Group (OVG), a giving circle facilitated by the Omaha Community Foundation, is accepting applications through 11:59 p.m. March 1. OVG supports nonprofits with annual budgets of $500,000 or less that are launching bold new initiatives or scaling innovative ideas. Focus areas include: Arts & Culture; Health; Neighborhoods; Civic Engagement & Safety; Workforce & Education; and Youth Sports

Audrey Woita and Sasha Patricia have joined the Hillside Foundation to support outreach, education and program delivery. The foundation works closely with Hillside Solutions, a regional provider of composting, recycling and zero-waste services, “to pair mission-driven programs with real-world waste diversion infrastructure.”

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The move comes as Union Omaha’s downtown stadium project continues to progress and will help leadership better balance the vision for the club’s future with day-to-day operations. More information on the move can be found on the Grow Omaha website.

The Omaha Supernovas made history in more ways than one in their two matches last week. In the club’s first ever meeting against the Dallas Pulse on Thursday, Omaha put up the best offensive performance in franchise history, posting a .391 hitting percentage in a 25-22, 25-18, 25-23 sweep.

On Sunday, the Supernovas survived the Orlando Valkyries to earn their fifth straight win, the longest streak in franchise history. Sunday’s victory was Omaha’s seventh straight road victory dating back to last season, which matches a franchise record.

Omaha now sits at 7-3 and is in second place in MLV standings. The team will return home this week to host two matches against the same pair of teams. Tonight, Omaha faces Dallas at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the Supernovas will host Orlando for their Pink Out, with the first 5,000 fans in attendance receiving a pink T-shirt. Sunday’s match will be nationally televised on VICE TV and first serve is at 5 p.m.

Omaha Hockey alumnus and Omaha native Jake Guentzel will make his Olympic debut on Friday against Latvia, when Team USA begins its mission for its first hockey gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. This is the first time since 2014 that NHL players are allowed to play in the Olympics, after a breakdown in negotiations between the NHL and the International Olympic Committee regarding insurance, travel and accommodations for players caused the absence of hockey’s top talent for two Olympic cycles. Guentzel played for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, where he experienced international play for the first time and scored three goals in four games. Friday’s game will be televised nationally on USA Network, with puck drop scheduled for 2:10 p.m. CST.

Omaha softball defeated Northern Iowa, Butler and Iowa State twice in last week’s UNI Dome Tournament to start the season 4-0, and is now ranked third in D1 Softball Mid-Major Rankings, the highest ranking since the Mavericks transitioned to Division I. Over the weekend, head coach Mike Heard earned his 150th win, and pitcher Maddia Groff earned her 300th career strikeout.

This weekend, Omaha will travel to San Diego to face Utah State, Southern Utah, Fairleigh Dickinson (twice) and Boise State. Play will begin when the Mavericks face Utah Tech on Friday at 11 a.m.

Creighton men’s basketball secured another come-from-behind victory on Saturday against Seton Hall, closing the game on an 11-1 run to sink the Pirates, 69-68. Creighton trailed 67-58 with 1:27 remaining in the game, but cut the lead to one before fouling Seton Hall guard Trey Parker with 17.2 seconds left. Parker made one of two free throws, and Creighton advanced the ball quickly, where Nik Graves eventually created space and drilled the game winning three pointer.

On Wednesday night, Creighton’s luck ran out against DePaul. Down 71-70, DePaul’s Brandon Maclin scored a contested layup with seven seconds left for what would be the winning basket. Wednesday’s 72-71 loss was Creighton’s first to DePaul since January 2015, and only second since joining the Big East.

Creighton will return home on Saturday to host Villanova, which they beat 76-72 in January. Tipoff for the nationally televised game on FOX is at 1:30 p.m.

Creighton women’s basketball used a timely three pointer of their own to score an 80-74 overtime victory over Marquette on Sunday. Creighton freshman Neleigh Gessert provided the game-tying three pointer with just 20 seconds remaining, and the Bluejays stood tall defensively to force overtime. Grace Boffeli owned OT, scoring Creighton’s first seven points of the period to put them ahead for good.

Freshman Ava Zediker earned Big East Freshman of the Week for her performances against Georgetown and Marquette last week. Zediker averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in the two contests. This is her first such honor.

LOVB Nebraska is in the midst of a three-game losing streak after facing the top three clubs in league standings over the last 11 days. Nebraska was swept by Houston last night, 25-21, 25-17, 25-14 in the LOVB Match of the Week. LOVB Nebraska will begin play in the LOVB Classic on Saturday, facing Atlanta at 4:30 p.m. The LOVB Classic is an in-season tournament featuring all six LOVB teams, running from Friday, February 13 to Sunday, February 15. Saturday’s game can be streamed live with an ESPN+ subscription.

Creighton baseball, picked to finish second in the Big East preseason poll after earning both the regular season and Big East Tournament championships last season, will begin its 2026 campaign, and the Mark Kingston era, this weekend. The Bluejays will head to Moraga, Calif. to face Saint Mary’s in a trio of games, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. on Friday.

Omaha baseball tied for second with St. Thomas in the Summit League preseason poll, announced Wednesday. Nebraska natives Henry Zipay and Maddox Meyer were named players to watch. The Mavericks open their season this weekend in the desert with a series against Arizona State beginning tomorrow at 7:35 p.m.

Upcoming Events

• Omaha Supernovas vs. Dallas | Thursday, Feb. 12 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha men’s basketball vs. St. Thomas | Thursday, Feb. 12 | 7 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Drake | Friday, Feb. 13 | 10 a.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Utah Tech | Friday, Feb. 13 | 11 a.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Coastal Carolina | Friday, Feb. 13 | 12:30 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Southern Utah | Friday, Feb. 13 | 1:30 p.m.
• Creighton baseball at Saint Mary’s | Feb. 13-15 | 4 p.m. Friday
• Omaha Hockey vs. #8 Denver | Friday, February 13 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha baseball at Arizona State | Feb. 13-15 | 7:35 p.m. Friday
• Creighton softball vs. Drake | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 12:30 p.m.
• Omaha women’s basketball at St. Thomas | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball vs. Villanova | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1:30 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska vs. LOVB Atlanta | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 4:30 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. FDU | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 6:30 p.m.
• Omaha Hockey vs. #8 Denver | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 7 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Utah Valley | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 7:30 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Boise State | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 9 p.m.
• Omaha men’s basketball vs. Denver | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 12 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Arizona | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 12:30 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. FDU | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 1:30 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball vs. Villanova | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 4 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas vs. Orlando | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 5 p.m.
• Omaha baseball at Arizona | Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball at #6 UConn | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 6 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball at Butler | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha men’s basketball vs. Oral Roberts | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m.

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The Hotel Indigo Building in Downtown Omaha

By Patrick Wyman

Having been constructed just as the city embarked on its ambitious project to lower the steep hill from 17th to 22nd along Dodge Street, El Beudor (present day Hotel Indigo) required significant reconfiguration before opening its doors to its first tenants.

Located just west of the city’s historic red-light district, the building at 1804 Dodge Street was designed by architect James T. Allen. The U-shaped structure featured a terracotta and brick façade surrounding an open light court. Each side of the building was designed in such a way that it created the illusion of being two distinct buildings. Its construction was led by W. Boyd Jones, who would go on to open Boyd Jones Construction.

The removal of 15 feet of dirt resulted in the original entrance and lobby ending up on what became the second floor. While the entrance was filled in with windows, the lobby was converted into a gathering space for tenants. In addition to adding a new entrance at the lower street level, four storefronts were created along 18th Street in an area that had previously been below grade.

El Beudor got its unusual name from the company’s secretary, Cassius Clay Shimer, who named it in honor of his three daughters, Elinore, Beula and Dorothy, using the first syllable of each name. Home Builders Incorporated, the company that built the structure, moved its offices into the building and placed a large sign on the roof facing east toward downtown, an advertisement that was hard to miss.

When it opened in 1919, El Beudor advertised itself as a luxury apartment building with hotel-like amenities. Inside the main entrance was a large lobby featuring marble floors, a grand staircase, and mahogany and walnut woodwork. With 110 units, it offered fully furnished rooms with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and maid service. It also featured a service driveway that cut through the back of the east side of the building, allowing cars to back in and unload items onto a loading dock with a freight elevator inside. Tenants found it easy to transport belongings directly to their rooms.

Home Builders moved out of the building in 1926 ahead of its purchase by Eugene Eppley, owner of Eppley Hotels. After acquiring it at auction, Eppley renamed it Hotel Logan, after the Omaha chief and interpreter. He renovated the building, replaced many of its furnishings, and used the boilers in the basement to heat the nearby Hotel Fontenelle, which he also owned. Eppley Hotels moved its offices into the space once occupied by Home Builders. The company would go on to become the largest privately held hotel chain in the country, with 22 hotels spread across six states.

In 1956, the Sheraton Corporation bought the Eppley hotel chain, including the Logan, in the second-largest hotel transaction in history at the time. It was a sign of things to come, as the building changed hands a few more times over the following decades. Like much of downtown, the hotel struggled as the city expanded westward.

Long removed from its days as a luxury apartment complex, the building continued its downward spiral before sitting vacant for several years starting around 2005, the same year it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

After multiple failed attempts to renovate and reopen the property, it was scheduled for demolition in 2016. As part of its preservation efforts, Restoration Exchange, now Preserve Omaha, “heart-bombed” the building in 2017. The attention helped, and in 2019, the property was acquired by Logan Hospitality. Lincoln-based contractor NGC Group completed the renovation while retaining several key historical elements, including the marble staircase.

Today, the building contains offices for NGC, top-floor condominiums, the 90-room Hotel Indigo, and Anna’s Place, a speakeasy named for Anna Wilson, Omaha’s Queen of the Underworld.

Rumors suggest the hotel’s basement once operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition, a past that the current hotel embraces as a key part of its story. It is said that cement-filled cutouts in the basement may have been tunnels used to move alcohol throughout the city during the days when Tom Dennison’s political machine ran the city. Perhaps the tunnels once used to heat the Fontenelle were originally intended for this purpose.

Since 1917, Bankers Trust has been a leading financial institution for commercial and consumer banking services. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with $7.5 billion in assets, Bankers Trust is the state’s largest privately held community bank. Bankers Trust has operated a loan production office in Omaha since 2008 and opened its first full-service branch in 2025. Visit Bankers Trust at the corner of 192nd and Dodge to see how we can make a difference for all your personal and commercial banking needs.

The Holland Performing Arts Center will feature Hearts & Harmony Gala by Hero’s Encore on February 14 from 4 to 6 p.m., at Scott Hall, with a VIP hour beginning at 3 p.m. Experience veterans, first responders and transitioning service members share original songs created through a nine-month therapeutic music and storytelling program as they celebrate their graduation. These performances are lived stories told onstage – raw and honest – for an honorary evening. For more information, visit their website.

The Omaha Symphony will present Stravinsky’s Firebird performing at the Holland Performing Arts Center on February 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. Renowned opera conductor Christopher Allen leads an splendid evening of breathtaking virtuosity. John Strauss II’s opening to Die Fledermaus puts guests in a theatrical frame of mind before Francisco Fullana, famed violinist, joins the Omaha Symphony for Barber’s stunning Violin Concerto. Starburst, by leading contemporary American composer Jessie Montgomery, is filled with energy, and a fabulous feature for the Omaha Symphony strings. Finally, Stravinsky’s iconic Firebird takes us back to the ballet, with perfectly crafted music filling one’s imagination in every visual. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Steelhouse Omaha will feature the Vitamin String Quartet performing The Music of Billie Eilish, Bridgestone and Beyond as part of their 2026 tour February 26 at 7 p.m. Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) is one of the most popular string ensembles in the world. They perform spellbinding renditions of classical, dance, hip-hop and pop musical hits from Billie Eilish, BTS, The Weeknd, Daft Punk and more. VSQ has garnered over 2 billion streams and numerous Billboard chartings since its inception. Doors open at the venue at 6 p.m. with reserved seating only. Prices start at $39.20. For more information or for tickets, visit here.

The Omaha Film Festival (OFF) has unveiled the official lineup for its 2026 festival, bringing 104 films to the big screen at Aksarben Cinema, March 10 through 15, bringing independent film, filmmaker conversations and community celebration to the metro area. This year’s festival includes three special screenings, 12 documentary features and 12 narrative features, 30 short films, 10 animated short films and 37 national and international short films.

This year’s event will also feature OFF Academy, which welcomes dozens of students in grades 7 through 12 for interactive learning experience through working with filmmakers, writers and production professionals.

Did you know the Omaha market outpaced the nation in the growth of insurance and finance employment in recent years?

Did you know the Omaha labor force totals about 500,000 people?

Did you know that 30 percent of Nebraska’s population lives in Douglas County alone? Home to the City of Omaha, Douglas County has 601,158 people.

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Galentine’s Craft & Sip Event happening February 13th: Gather your favorite people and celebrate Galentine’s Day with an evening of crafting, sipping and sweet connection at Wick & Paper Studio. This hands-on creative night is all about slowing down, making something beautiful and enjoying good company. During the event, there will be a local maker pop-up while you rotate through curated creative stations including candle-making, candle-painting, card making and letter writing—perfect for gifting, keeping or sending a little love. No experience needed and all materials are provided. Come solo or with your besties, leave with handmade pieces and a full heart.

Lunch & Learn: Work Without Pain – Essential Ergonomics for Everyone happening February 17th: Join Elevator Omaha, Marigold and Emily Moody for “Work Without Pain: Essential Ergonomics for Everyone.” Whether you work from home, manage a team or spend hours at a desk, chronic pain doesn’t have to be part of your workday. Emily Moody, an ergonomist and licensed Physical Therapist with 25 years of experience, will share practical strategies to help you create a workspace that supports your body and eliminates discomfort.

Mardi Gras Create & Speed Date happening February 17th: This event is perfect for those looking for a chill and interactive way to meet new people outside of the apps. During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a series of short speed dates while following clear instructions. Each date will be intentional and creative, allowing you to quickly connect with different people and discover potential matches. In addition to the speed-dating, there will also be a very simple creative Mardis Gras themed activity to help keep the conversation flowing and the nerves at bay. Register today!

In Good Company Meetup | Made In Omaha + Elevator happening February 19th: Join in for a cozy, come-as-you-are evening for small business owners who want to connect beyond emails and to do lists! No panels, no pitches. Just conversation, community and good vibes! Drinks and light snacks included.

Unleashing Brand Growth with Mary Ann O’Brien happening February 19th: Scale Omaha powered by Nebraska Startup Academy is excited to welcome the CEO & founder of OBI Creative, Mary Ann O’Brien, for their February Scale Omaha powered by Nebraska Startup Academy event. Mary Ann’s expertise spans industries like retail, wireless and digital convergence, where she has revolutionized customer experiences and architected global strategies that build unshakable loyalty and exponential growth. Her stop-at-nothing attitude and commitment to excellence make her the force brands turn to when they’re ready to soar. Dig into Mary Ann’s experience building global brands for some of the world’s most iconic and fastest-growing brands.

This section is sponsored by Eagle Mortgage, a locally owned, full-service mortgage company helping you with Conventional, VA, FHA and USDA loans in both Nebraska and Iowa. Learn how Eagle Mortgage helps people afford the home of their dreams by clicking HERE!

Lutz, an Omaha-based business solutions firm, recently added Neely Helmberger, Christina Holton, Karlynn Mizell and Jamie Pollert to its Firm Admin department.

Grow Sarpy, the economic development organization for Sarpy County, presented two awards at its 2026 annual meeting. Grow Sarpy presented the 2026 Business Progress Award to Hawkins Construction in recognition of the company’s economic growth and community impact across Sarpy County. The 2026 Partner in Economic Development Award was presented to Ken Mar, Omaha Area Director of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, honoring his longstanding support of job creation and investment efforts throughout Sarpy County.

WoodmenLife appointed Kathia Garelik as director, accounting operations, In this role, she leads accounts receivable, accounting operations, purchasing, and financial Planning and analysis. Garelik earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Science from Florida State University.

The Greater Omaha Chamber is a catalyst and connector, advocating for businesses small and large. Learn, share and grow with more than 12,000 professionals from 3,000 member businesses across Greater Omaha. Click HERE to see our latest events.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

The new rule in leadership is to always be prepared to exit, writes Roberta Matuson in her recent Forbes article. Recent layoffs underscore that executive job security is a myth; titles and loyalty offer no protection against corporate restructuring and cost-cutting. A strong professional network is a true safety net. Having a strong network as your “exit strategy” will serve you well.

Many leaders hate holding their people accountable, but it’s one of the most important things you can do. Lack of accountability is one of the key warning signs that a team is struggling. According to Patrick Lencioni, author of The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, a team that lacks accountability: 1. Creates resentment among team members who have high standards; 2. Encourages mediocrity; 3. Misses deadlines and key deliverables; 4. Relies on the leader as the sole source of accountability instead of benefitting from peer accountability.

SALES

If you want to become better at sales, stop hiding behind asynchronous communication. So says best-selling business author Jeb Blount.

Selling and deal-making happen in a synchronous world. Real-time conversations. Phone calls. Video meetings. Face-to-face interactions. If you think you can close business through email threads and text messages, you’re delusional, Blount says.

Why? Because robots can write better emails than you can. AI can craft more persuasive text messages. But sales is the ultimate human career in the age of AI precisely because of the human connection required in synchronous conversations.

Lead with phone calls. Get face-to-face when the deal size justifies it. Use video when it makes sense. But always, always prioritize real-time conversations over digital hide-and-seek.

WISDOM

“Success is not final and failure is not fatal.” – Sir Winston Churchill

Building Omaha is a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) & the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together, we provide the highest level of trained electricians for residential, low-voltage, or commercial construction projects. Visit buildingomaha.org to learn more. Earn while you learn and apply for our Apprenticeship Program by clicking HERE!

According to a plethora of self-appointed fortune tellers in the financial media, the market is on the verge of a horrific collapse, hurling all non-believers into a fiery pit. The cause of this rapidly approaching market apocalypse is the fact that anything remotely related to AI is overpriced, over hyped and just plain stupid. OH, wait! When I started this brilliant discourse, the market had tumbled 10 percent in just four days. Then, lo and behold, on the fifth day, based on absolutely no new news, it exploded skyward more than 2 percent.

I am not now, nor will I ever be, a market prognosticator. But I am mesmerized by those who claim to be. As Abe Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and all the people some of the time, and that’s enough to make a decent living.”

This brings back memories of Joe Granville who every year from 1970 to 1989 predicted that the market was on the verge of a meltdown of epic proportions. On Black Monday in 1989, the market dropped 34 percent in two hours, allowing Granville to proclaim to the investing public, “Told ya so!” His first, last and only moment in the sun.

Market reliance on a specific industry or sector is nothing new. The original Dow Jones Industrial Average consisted of just 12 stocks. All of them railroad companies. In the decade leading up to the Crash of 1929, Wall Street banks constituted 57 percent of the market’s total value. In the early 1990s, Coca Cola, Phillip Morris, American Express and General Motors dominated the indexes and created one of history’s most powerful bull markets. In the early 2000s, the market soared, powered by the internet pioneers Google, Microsoft and Intel.

The point that all these near-sighted forecasters miss is the way that indexes are constructed and maintained. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are weighted by a company’s total market value. This means that the companies with the highest market cap have a disproportionate influence on the index’s movement. But as a company’s stock price fluctuates, so does their market value. On a regular basis, the companies that manufacture the S&P and Nasdaq, adjust a stock’s weighting in order to reflect their current market value. Thus, when one company stumbles, another takes its place at the head of the pack. This in theory cushions the market from one company or industrial sector’s meltdown.

Over the course of my six decades as a market watcher, I have seen a gazillion episodes of this type of magic formula gyrations and prognostications, come and go. But in spite of all the hyperbole that Wall Street and their media lackies can generate, there remains one true cornerstone to successful investing – no matter who you are – never bet against the powerful American economic engine.

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Quantum Fiber in Omaha, Nebraska, is super-fast, reliable internet. We did away with data caps, bundles, and pricing gimmicks because you don’t want them. Instead, you get game-changing customer service, transparent pricing, and a powerful app for freedom, simplicity, and control over your internet. Quantum Fiber is what internet service looks like when it’s built for the world of you.

The Grow Omaha radio show broadcasts live every Saturday morning at 9:00, but now you can watch videos of each episode instead of just listening.

Grow Omaha’s brand-new website features video footage shot inside the radio studio during each week’s show!

Videos include News of the Week, Lightning Round, guest interviews, and “Grow Omaha Uncut,” a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during commercial breaks.

Support the Grow “O” Mission

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