The February 5th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Meddys plans to open a second Omaha location at One Pacific Place. The quick-casual Mediterranean restaurant has signed a lease for a 3,500 sq. ft. space at 10317 Pacific Street, formerly occupied by Andrés Tortillery, according to Holly Jones of the Lund Company. Opening is planned for this fall. Meddys’ existing Omaha location is at Village Pointe. Based in Wichita, Kan., Meddys was founded in 2014 and now has 15 locations in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Burlington Social plans to open tomorrow – February 6 – in the former Burlington League space at 1002 South 10th Street in Little Italy. Burlington Social is the third location in the Social family, joining Blackstone Social at 3910 Farnam Street, and Social 192 near 192nd & Pacific Street. In addition to the main bar, Burlington Social features a basement lounge called The Talk Back To Me Lounge, “a fun, laid-back space designed for late-night hangs, cocktails and a more intimate lounge vibe.”

A Japanese hibachi restaurant is coming to northwest Omaha. According to a building permit, the restaurant will be called Hibana and will be located in a currently under construction retail strip mall at 17807 Manderson Street. That’s northeast of 180th & West Maple Road.

Scooter’s Coffee plans to build a restaurant at 12020 Anne Street on the southwest corner of 120th & L Street. The future coffee shop has posted a “coming soon” sign on the site and has received plumbing and electrical building permits from the City of Omaha. Construction had started on the site last year for a Burger Detour restaurant until the brand abruptly went out of business.

Borsheims, one of America’s largest independent jewelry stores, will renovate its store at Regency Shopping Center. The project will transform 20,000 sq. ft. of showroom space into an open-concept environment. Features include additional seating areas for private consultations, an updated luxury salon dedicated to high-end jewelry collections and a gold exterior façade. HDR is leading the design, while Kiewit is the contractor. Renovations will begin following Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting this May. The store will remain open during construction.

Juice Stop plans to continue operating its Old Market store at 510 South 12th Street until its lease expires November 30th. However, if another tenant wants to move in earlier, Juice Stop is willing to shut down sooner, according to landlord representative Eric Wieseler of NAI NP Dodge. The 1,500 sq. ft. bay is south of the future Anthem Tex-Asian pub, a Flagship Restaurant Group concept that will soon take over the former Plank Seafood space. Anthem is scheduled to open in May.

The Bull Moose will permanently close its bar at 3548 Center Street on February 14, with its final day of service on February 13. The bar is named after Theodore Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party and features historic artwork tied to his visit to the area.

The Bubbly Tart has permanently closed its bakery at 3020 Leavenworth Street in Midtown. The closure follows a planned sale that did not move forward, according to the owner. The local bakery was known for its macarons, champagne service and tea parties.

Found: Vintage Market will close its storefront at 6022 Maple Street in Benson after losing its lease. Gift cards must be used by February 28. The shop is known for handcrafted painted furniture and a blend of vintage and modern décor.

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

Nebraska Falls Behind Other States in Developing Sports Facilities

By Kacie Ferrazzo

Youth sports has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry nationwide, but several Nebraska sports leaders say the state lacks enough modern facilities to keep pace — limiting opportunities for athletes and reducing potential tourism and economic impact.

Developers and consultants point to stalled projects tied to Nebraska’s Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act — often called the turnback tax — as a major factor slowing new facility construction.

Jeff Weak, a sports facility consultant and executive director of the Wolfpack Sports Foundation, said the youth sports sector is growing rapidly and widely viewed as difficult to size precisely.

“It’s the Wild, Wild West out there,” Weak said. “We’re watching states around us build, and we’re watching our kids locally need places to practice and at least learn. We need facilities in order to support local kids first.”

Weak said youth sports nationally is estimated to generate tens of billions of dollars annually, though published totals vary widely. He said tournament travel alone creates significant economic activity through hotel stays, restaurants and retail spending.

As an example, Weak said weekend tournaments often require multiple nights of hotel stays per family, along with food and fuel purchases. Using an economic impact model he developed based on lodging, restaurant and retail spending categories, Weak estimates that when they stay in a hotel room, they could potentially generate in excess of $112 per person, per unique event visit.

Nebraska’s turnback financing law allows qualifying sports facility projects to capture a portion of new state sales tax generated within a defined radius after a project is announced. That future tax revenue can be used to help repay construction bonds. The act typically allows for up to 70 percent of state sales tax revenue generated by the facility to be used to pay off bonds for construction. Only new business activity qualifies.

“You collect only the new state sales tax generated within that district,” Weak said. “If the business is not new, you can’t claim it.”

Craig Wolf, co-owner of Cheer Athletics Omaha and AEF Basketball Academy, is working to develop a Gretna youth sports complex that would use the turnback financing tool. His organizations currently serve about 750 athletes each week, he said.

“What is quite apparent is how Nebraska is short on sports facilities,” Wolf said. “We don’t have what other states do. There has not been an investment made in youth sports facilities.”

Wolf said the turnback financing legislation passed the Nebraska Legislature with broad support and was designed to support youth participation while encouraging economic development. His proposed project includes large indoor court facilities and surrounding hotel, retail and restaurant development. He said multiple businesses have expressed interest in locating near the complex if it moves forward.

“If you’re a business, you want to be where people are,” Wolf said. “Businesses have told us that if you’re not coming, we probably won’t be coming either.”

Wolf also connected access to sports facilities with youth mental health and social connection. He said children’s mental health advocates he has spoken with emphasize that structured activities and in-person engagement help counter isolation among young people.

“This is about developing kids and having a community we can develop kids through the sport they love,” Wolf said. He added that limited facility space can result in athletes being cut from programs and spending more time inactive at home.

Both Wolf and Weak said Nebraska is losing tournaments and traveling teams to other states with larger and newer venues. Weak said volleyball is an area with significant facility shortages. Wolf said some out-of-state club operators have told him they avoid Omaha because of limited venue options.

Supporters of the financing program say most projects still require significant private or local funding beyond the tax mechanism and describe the model as performance-based because it depends on new economic activity.

These projects must receive approval from the governor. “As it currently stands, his vote is the only one that matters,” Weak said. “If he doesn’t show up, there’s no reason for a vote.”

Several proposed projects have not advanced through the approval process. Wolf said if the governor would simply approve a project, then it would move forward with a vote of the people.

“If we don’t move forward,” Weak said, “we’re ripe for private equity.”

The governor’s office was contacted for comment. A communications representative said she would follow up but had not provided a response as of publication time.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

Legal proceedings are ongoing over the old Civic Auditorium site. This week, the City of Omaha filed an answer and counterclaim in response to Civic Corner’s complaint filed on the first of the year. The city disputes that the terms of the agreement were not ambiguous and that the developer breached the terms of the agreement by not meeting required deadlines. Based on the alleged breaches by the developer, the city argues it is permitted to exercise its right to repurchase the property.

In 2023, the city sold the property to Civic Corner for $1.36 million. Prior to Civic Corner filing the suit, the city had offered to repurchase the property for that amount, plus reimburse the developer for incurred costs under the development agreement. Those negotiations failed after the developer demanded $17 million from the city. The Civic Auditorium site remains largely undeveloped as tensions rose at the end of last year between the city and the developer when the city started taking steps to repurchase the property.

Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority will hold a topping-out ceremony February 16 to celebrate the placement of the final, highest beam in the CHI Health Center’s $200 million expansion. The 90,000 sq. ft., 2-level addition on the east side features floor-to-ceiling glass walls and expands the number of meeting rooms from 16 to 41. Upon completion, CHI’s convention space will total 420,000 sq. ft. The existing convention center space will receive updates to flooring, woodwork and bathrooms.

The Union Omaha soccer stadium project took a major step forward with the Omaha Planning Board’s approval of Tax Increment Financing. Recently, the city approved a purchase agreement with Union Pacific to buy the site north of 11th & Cuming Street for $18.7 million.

Currently, the City and developer are working through the terms of the development agreement. The city will own the land and stadium and then lease the stadium to Union Omaha, which would manage the property. The development agreement is an important step because it is a prerequisite for the city to issue any bonds related to the project. The developer is pushing to start construction by this fall to be able to finish by 2028 soccer season.

According to the TIF application, total investment in the 25-acre site will potentially exceed $300 million. The stadium, which constitutes Phase 1 of the project, will cost approximately $125 million, which includes $12 million in public infrastructure improvements to support the whole mixed-use district. The 6,500-seat stadium will be located on the north end of the site, just south of Seward Street. The team indicated that the stadium timeline coincides with the league’s planned relegation changes in 2028, whereby Union Omaha may be able to move up to the upper tier within the USL system.

Phase 2 of the project will consist of multi-use buildings south of the stadium on approximately 7 acres. Plans for that portion of the project are early, but the developer anticipates building nearly 500 residential units. Each building would have ground-floor commercial space for retail and restaurants totaling 39,000 sq. ft. These spaces will be oriented toward a pedestrian promenade that will lead to the stadium from a future extension of Millwork Avenue.

The developer is seeking $48 million in TIF. The Omaha Planning Board unanimously approved the request, moving the application forward to the city council for review and approval.

The Omaha Planning Board this week considered plans for development of the abandoned Salvation Army property near 26th & Center Street. The current plan would raze all current structures on the 3-acre site. The primary site would have two 4-story apartment buildings with 160 units total. Each building will have underground parking. The developer also plans to build 18 townhome style, four-bedroom apartments north of center on a smaller greenfield site.

All units would be income restricted, affordable housing. During the planning board meeting, representatives of Concrete Supply, Inc., an industrial user east of the development site, shared some concerns regarding possible safety issues due to how many trucks traverse the area. The board unanimously passed the required zoning, planned unit redevelopment district overlay and preliminary plat actions to move the project forward for review by city council.

Construction is progressing on the future Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park on the northwest corner of Kennedy Freeway & U.S. Highway 34. The basement excavation has been completed. The lower level will house the pumps and filtration systems. Crews are now pouring concrete footings. Aluminum struts have arrived on site that will be used for vertical construction of the retractable roof.

The $60 million tourist attraction will anchor Bellevue’s Goodlife District. When it opens in the middle of next year, 100,000 sq. ft. building will be the fourth largest indoor water park in the United States. The City of Bellevue has also signed a sub-licensing agreement with toymaker Mattel to incorporate Mattel brands throughout the property.

Construction has started Iowa Western Community College’s transportation logistics center, according to KMAland. Site grading has taking place and workers should begin to dig footings by April. Construction should be complete within 18 months. The building will house the college’s automotive training programs.

The Omaha Streetcar Authority has started mainline track construction. That’s the process of putting the rails in the ground, including preparing the surface below the tracks. Eric Miller, streetcar operations manager for the City of Omaha, provides a detailed explanation of how rail construction works in our latest Grow Omaha transportation column HERE.

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Omaha-based Scooter’s Coffee ranked ninth overall on the 2026 Franchise Times Fast & Serious list, ranking in the top ten for the fifth year in a row. The ranking recognizes fast-growing franchise systems based on percentage sales growth, percentage unit growth, dollar sales and numerical unit growth over the past three years.

Scooter’s ranked third overall on Technomic’s 2026 list of America’s Favorite Chains, including third among all quick service restaurants. In this year’s rankings, Scooter’s saw its highest scores come from the Service & Hospitality and Convenience & Takeout categories. Scooter’s Coffee also ranked in the Top 5 for value.

The Home Company, a long time Omaha-based homebuilder, is expanding its semi-and-semi-custom homebuilding efforts to Lincoln, starting with 12 houses in various neighborhoods including Wilderness Commons. Construction could begin as soon as the end of this month. The Home Company built more than 180 houses in 2025. In Lincoln, the company plans to build primarily expansive ranches and a handful of 2-story plans. The Home Company was acquired by Iowa-based Hubbell Realty Company in 2019.

Invictus Mobile Auto Care has opened a brick-and-mortar detail studio at 12722 North 158th Street in Bennington, offering detailing, ceramic coating, window tinting and paint protection film services. The business also announced the launch of a new division, Invictus Mobile Auto Glass.

For the fourth time in the past five months, Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved below growth neutral. The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, increased to a weak 49.6 from 47.6 in December.

NRG Media is exiting the Omaha market, selling its six-station portfolio in two separate transactions, according to Radio Ink. Five stations will transfer to Grand Island-based Usher Media, while Nebraska Public Media is acquiring one station for conversion to noncommercial public radio. NRG has signed a contract to transfer News Talk 1290 (KOIL-AM), Power 106.9 (KOPW), Yacht Rock 1180 (KZOT-AM), 1620 The Zone (KOZN-AM) and Sweet 98.5 (KQKQ) to Usher.

In the second transaction, 101.9 The Keg (KOOO) is being purchased by Lincoln-based Nebraska Public Media, which will convert the license to noncommercial public radio. No purchase price for either deal has been disclosed at this time. Both deals are pending FCC approval. NRG will continue to own more than 30 other radio stations across Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

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The Durham Museum will open its new traveling exhibit, the Negro Motorist Green Book, on February 7. The exhibit will explore how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for many African Americans in the United States. Visitors will interact with historic footage, images and firsthand accounts offering an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America.

The Rod Rhoden Foundation has pledged an initial $1 million to Metropolitan Community College for a scholarship that will continue Rod Rhoden’s legacy of supporting opportunities in Nebraska’s automotive industry. The pledge will establish the Rod’s Auto Tech Team Scholarship, which is available to students of all ages pursuing automotive technology certificate or associate degree programs, including MCC Career Academy completers. The scholarship is expected to impact an estimated 45-plus students per year.

Creighton University announced a donor-funded program aimed at promoting the mental and spiritual well-being, resiliency and life skills of students in every school and college on campus. The Fritz Family Office of Cura Personalis Services — established with a $3 million gift from Lance, HON’23, and Julie Fritz — is a mission-driven initiative providing additional support, resources and programming for students. The gift also establishes the Fritz Family Endowed Director of Cura Personalis Services. The director will lead a cross-divisional team of case managers. Cura personalis, which translates as “care for the whole person,” is one of Creighton’s core Jesuit values.

The Josh Place, a nonprofit aiming to create permanent housing for locals with chronic mental illness, is fundraising by hosting a raffle for a brand-new home valued at $455,000. A Kickoff Event will be held on March 30 to introduce the mission, housing model and community impact. The home will be raffled off at The GreenLight Gala Saturday, August 8.

Habitat Omaha was selected by an anonymous donor to participate in the Pope Leo Village initiative alongside 15 other cities nationwide. The program, launched in Chicago, will invite at least 600 new Habitat for Humanity volunteers to help build 20 homes over 20 days. A kickoff event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, February 26, at the St. John Paul II Newman Center, 1221 South 71st Street. The first volunteer build day will take place in April.

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Is Downsizing Right for You?

By Jill Anderson

For a growing number of homeowners, retirement isn’t some distant idea anymore. It’s starting to feel very real.

According to Realtor.com and the Census, nearly 12,000 people will turn 65 every day for the next two years. And the latest data shows as many as 15 percent of those older Americans are planning to retire in 2026. Another 23 percent will do the same in 2027.

If you’re considering retiring soon too, here’s what you should be thinking about.

Why Downsize?

Now’s the perfect time to reflect on what you want your life to look like in retirement. Because even though your finances will be going through a big change, you don’t necessarily want to feel like you’re living with less.

But odds are, what you do want is for life to feel easier.

Easier to enjoy. Easier to manage. Easier to maintain day-to-day.

The Top Reasons People Over 60 Move

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the top four reasons aren’t about timing the market or chasing top dollar. They’re about lifestyle:

• Being closer to children, grandchildren or long-time friends, so it’s easier to spend more time with the people who matter most
• Wanting a smaller, more functional home with fewer stairs and easier upkeep
• Retiring and no longer needing to live near the office, so it’s easier to move wherever you want
• Opting for something smaller to reduce monthly expenses tied to utilities, insurance and maintenance

No matter the reason, the theme is the same: downsizing isn’t about giving something up. It’s about gaining control and choosing simplicity. And it brings peace of mind to know your home fits the years ahead, not the years behind. And the best part? It’s more financially feasible now than many homeowners would expect.

The #1 Thing Helping So Many Homeowners Downsize

Thanks to how much home values have grown over the years, many longtime homeowners are realizing they’re in a stronger position than they thought to make that move.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner today has about $299,000 in home equity. And for older Americans, that number is often even higher – simply because they’ve lived in their homes longer.

When you stay in one place for years (or even decades), two things happen at the same time:

• Your home value has time to grow.
• Your mortgage balance shrinks or disappears altogether.

That combination creates more options than you’d expect, even in today’s market.

It can be hard to leave the house you made so many years of memories in, but maybe it’s time to close one chapter to open a new one that’s just as exciting. Do you have a real estate question? Let’s talk.

Grow Omaha Residential is developed and sponsored by Jill Anderson, President Residential Sales, NP Dodge Real Estate 402.255.5099 or jill.anderson@npdodge.com.

We’re not just real estate. We’re NP Dodge.

Cole Young, Contributing Writer

SET The Bar is currently hosting a weeklong celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, which is celebrated annually during the first week of February. Each night, the Benson sports bar dedicated to celebrating women’s sports is hosting events highlighted by local women’s sports programs and advocacy groups. Tonight, SET The Bar, in partnership with EPIC for Girls, will host Game Changers: An Inspiring Open Mic Event, where women athletes will share how sports shaped their confidence, leadership and community impact. Tonight’s event begins at 5 p.m.

Creighton baseball catcher Connor Capece has earned one of 10 spots on the 2026 Buster Posey Preseason Watch List. Capece was a cornerstone of Creighton’s success last season, posting a .351 batting average with 41 RBI and was also named the Jack Kaiser Most Outstanding Player (MVP) Award at the Big East Tournament.

The Buster Posey Award is administered by the Wichita Sports Commission and is presented annually to college baseball’s top catcher. Last year, Coastal Carolina catcher Caden Bodine claimed the honor.

Omaha Hockey split a weekend series at No. 3 Western Michigan over the weekend, snapping the defending national champions’ 10-game winning streak. Goaltender Simon Latkoczy recorded 25 saves and his 50th career win for the Mavericks in Saturday’s victory over the Broncos. The Mavericks will have the week off before returning to the ice for a weekend series at No. 8 Denver beginning February 13.

The Omaha Supernovas have bounced back from the longest losing streak in club history, three matches, with a three-match winning streak to improve to 5-3 on the season. After a thrilling, five-set victory over the San Diego Mojo on Friday night, Omaha rode Emily Londot’s career night to defeat Grand Rapids on Sunday. Londot poured in 20 kills and a match-leading 24 points to take down the Rise in four sets. Omaha will remain on the road this weekend, featuring its first-ever meeting against the Dallas Pulse tonight at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the Supernovas will visit the Orlando Valkyries, with first serve scheduled for 2 p.m.

LOVB Nebraska Middle Blocker Ana Carolina da Silva was named Defensive Player of the Week by the league after her career performance in Friday’s win over LOVB Madison. She became the first athlete in league history to record 10 blocks in a single match, and in doing so, became the league leader in blocks per set with 1.18.

LOVB Nebraska had its two-match winning streak snapped on Sunday, falling to LOVB Atlanta in four sets at Baxter Arena. Despite a stellar defensive performance by Libero Lexi Rodriguez, who provided 15 digs on a perfect 1.00 dig percentage, Nebraska is now 3-3 and tied for third place in league standings.

LOVB Nebraska will travel to first-place LOVB Salt Lake (5-1) this weekend, with first serve scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Omaha men’s basketball guard Paul Djobet was named the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week on Tuesday. Djobet recorded two double-doubles last week in wins over South Dakota State and Denver, and poured in a career-high 27 points against the latter. Paul Djobet becomes the second Maverick this season to earn Summit League Peak Performer of the Week. Lance Waddles earned the honor on December 23.

Omaha softball was picked first in the 2026 Summit League Preseason Coaches poll, announced Wednesday. The three-time defending Summit League tournament champions return seven starters from last season’s team, including reigning Summit League Pitcher of the Year Maddia Groff. This season, Omaha will play five games against teams that made the NCAA tournament last year, playing Arkansas twice and Nebraska three times.

Both Creighton and Omaha softball begin their 2026 campaigns on the road on Friday, with each team playing a handful of games throughout the weekend. Omaha will face Iowa State and Butler in a doubleheader on Friday, and Iowa State once again before Northern Iowa on Saturday. Creighton will play Central Arkansas and Sam Houston in doubleheaders on both Friday and Saturday before capping off the fast start to the season against South Dakota on Sunday.

Creighton women’s basketball freshman Neleigh Gessert was named Big East Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. The Omaha native combined for 33 points while shooting 42.9 percent from the field in wins over St. John’s and Seton Hall last week. This is Gessert’s second such honor this season.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha women’s basketball vs. North Dakota | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
• Omaha men’s basketball at North Dakota | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at Dallas | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Iowa State | Friday, Feb. 6 | 10 a.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Butler | Friday, Feb. 6 | 12:30 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Central Arkansas | Friday, Feb. 6 | 1:30 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Sam Houston | Friday, Feb. 6 | 6:30 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Central Arkansas | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 11 a.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Iowa State | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 11:30 a.m.
• Omaha men’s basketball at North Dakota State | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1 p.m.
• Omaha women’s basketball vs. North Dakota State | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. Sam Houston | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1:30 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska at LOVB Salt Lake | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 4 p.m.
• Omaha softball vs. Northern Iowa | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 4:30 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball vs. Seton Hall | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 5 p.m.
• Creighton softball vs. South Dakota | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 10 a.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball vs. Marquette | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 12 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at Orlando | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 2 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball at #1 UConn | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha women’s basketball at Denver | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 7 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball at DePaul | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 8 p.m.

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The Cornish Mansion in Little Italy

By Patrick Wyman

One of Omaha’s most recognizable residences belonged to Colonel Joel Northrup Cornish, a man whose grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and who was himself commissioned as a colonel by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

Born in New York in 1828, Colonel Cornish worked as a teacher and principal before completing law school. Afterward, he moved to Iowa, where he established one of the area’s largest law firms. Eventually, trouble with his eyesight forced him to abandon his law practice and enter the banking industry. He first established the First National Bank of Hamburg before moving to Omaha and becoming president of the National Bank of Commerce.

Colonel Cornish acquired a prime piece of real estate at the southwest corner of 10th and William Streets to build a home for his family. The property was located in the Forest Hills neighborhood, which proved popular with wealthy professionals and business owners because it was removed from the noise, mud, and pollution of the downtown business district. The area earned its reputation as the city’s first Gold Coast, as it was home to 28 mansions.

Built in 1886, the Cornish Mansion was designed by architect Styles Ezra Maxon of Council Bluffs in the Second Empire style, a reflection of the colonel’s East Coast roots, where this type of home was more common.

The exterior of the red brick structure stood out because of its slate mansard roof, round-topped dormer windows, and elaborate moldings beneath the roof’s eaves. Flanking each side of the front porch were two towers with a central cupola, while the porch on the south side featured Eastlake woodwork.

Inside the three-and-a-half-story, 15-room mansion were 13-foot ceilings, four fireplaces and parquet wood floors. The main floor included a parlor, dining room and an upstairs kitchen, while a second kitchen in the basement was used for meal preparation. A grand staircase led to the second floor, where each family member had a private sitting porch adjacent to their bedroom. The third floor featured a ballroom that hosted many notable families.

Located at 1404 South 10th Street, the Cornish Mansion remained in the family for the next 70 years. Following the deaths of both parents by 1908, the estate was divided equally among their four children, with the residence going to Edward Cornish. A lawyer at the Carter White Lead Company, Edward became its president following the death of Levi Carter, at which point he moved to Chicago, where the company’s headquarters were located.

With none of the children residing in the Cornish Mansion on a permanent basis, Edward chose to convert it into luxury apartments. He added an annex on the northwest side and established a separate entrance for each unit. The apartments each had four or five rooms with a private bath and porch, as well as access to a barn for automobiles.

After Edward’s death in 1938, the Cornish Apartments building was left to the children of his brother Albert, who served as a justice on the Nebraska Supreme Court. The Cornish family sold the property in 1956. From 1958 until 1982, it was owned by nearby Grace Bible Institute, later named Grace University, and used as apartments for married students.

By the early 1990s, Arnie Breslow purchased the building and began a painstaking restoration process alongside partner Gina Basile. One of the more controversial decisions among neighbors was returning the roof to its original color. While there have been changes to the exterior over the years, including the removal of the wrought iron crown along the roof and the addition of the annex, the building largely resembles the mansion Colonel Cornish built 140 years ago.

The interior, despite being subdivided, retained many of its original details. After a fire caused more than half a million dollars in damage to the upper floors in 2021, the building was renovated once again and reopened to tenants in 2023.

The former Cornish Mansion is one of the very few original mansions that remain in the Forest Hills neighborhood. Described as “one of the few grand houses of Omaha still standing,” it was featured in Landmarks, Inc. Omaha City Architecture in 1977 and in Jeffrey Spencer’s Building for the Ages: Omaha’s Architectural Landmarks in 2003.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, it was designated an Omaha Landmark in 2017. Having survived threats of demolition, it is regarded as the best and rarest example of a Second Empire-style house in Omaha.

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.

Get Building! Bricks at the Museum, partnered with the Lincoln and Omaha Lego User Group (LOLUG) is a creative interactive experience featuring LEGO builds. This unique exhibit allows participants to create their own masterpiece at a construction area and see LOLUG’s extraordinary original pieces, including Omaha’s Union Station, Nebraska State Capitol, Omaha Streetcar and more. It will be an opportunity for all ages to see local talent while providing visitors the tools to become creators as well.

The Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibition is an immersive look at travel for African Americans in mid-century America, the parallel world of African American businesses, the rise of the Black leisure class in the United States and the important role The Green Book played in facilitating the second wave of the Great Migration. This exhibit will feature historic footage, images and firsthand accounts to convey the apprehension, as well as the resilience, of African American travelers.

Opera Omaha announced its 2026-27 Season, which expands its programming to include more productions and venues:

OPERA OUTDOORS
Saturday, August 29, 2026 | Stinson Park at Aksarben Village

WILL LIVERMAN IN CONCERT
Sunday, September 27, 2026 | Slowdown

LA BOHÈME
Friday, November 13 & Sunday, November 15, 2026 | Orpheum Theater

THE PIGEON KEEPER
Thursday-Saturday, January 28-30, 2027 | The Rose Theater

ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
Friday, March 19 & Sunday, March 21, 2027 | Orpheum Theater

ALESSANDRO
Friday, April 30, 2027 | Holland Performing Arts Center
Season tickets for Opera Omaha’s 26/27 Season are available now at www.TicketOmaha.com.

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts will host a Residency Meet and Eat on Thursday, February 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Old Market. This is an opportunity to meet the Spring 2026 artists-in-residence, learn about their practices and aspirations, while enjoying free pizza and drinks. Admission is free, though ticket reservations are encouraged. For more information, visit here.

The Omaha Symphony will perform music of Elvis Presley with internationally acclaimed tribute artist Pat Dunn at the Holland Center on February 14 at 7:30 p.m., and February 15 at 2 p.m. Crowned “The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” in 2021, Dunn topped the field of international Elvis tribute artists and went on to earn the Golden Championship Belt. He stars in this production as the King himself, bringing generations back to the 1960s and 70s with the look, movement, presence and vocals of Elvis. Dunn also promises a few love songs to be on the set list since it’s on Valentine’s Day weekend. For more information, visit here.

Omaha Mobile Stage (OMS) from Partners for Livable Omaha has announced its fifth season starting in March after four successful seasons. This production training program has grown into a nationally recognized mobile venue that has delivered nearly 100 free public events, showcased more than 700 performances, reached over 50,000 community members in person and paid more than $250,000 to creative workers across the Omaha metro area. Their several shows include:

OMS Winter Showcase at Reverb Lounge
March 17, 2026

Battle of the Bands at Millwork Commons
May 3 at 6 p.m.

Elmwood Park Youth Talent Show
May 31 at 6 p.m.

Dance Night Youth Talent Show at Gene Leahy Mall
June 7 at 6 p.m.

Papillion Youth Talent Show at SumTur Amphitheater
June 14 at 4 p.m.

Youth Talent Show Finals at Gene Leahy Mall
June 28 at 6 p.m.

Outdoor Wallpaper at Joslyn Castle & Gardens
April 11 at 4 p.m.

Sunsetting Showcase at Joslyn Castle & Gardens
May 21 at 6 p.m.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

For as hard as CEOs have tried to get workers back in the office, remote work is still alive and well, with 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies having adopted hybrid models, according to The Hustle. As such, demand for coworking spaces is once again booming. Coworking space in the United States totaled 159 million sq. ft. at the end of 2025, up 17 percent year-over-year and 38 percent over the past three years. While it accounts for just 2.2 percent of total U.S. office inventory, analysts expect that figure could eventually grow to 10 percent.

National survey results from Catalyst reveal just how devastating 2025 was for women in the labor force. More than 455,000 women exited the U.S. workforce between January and August of 2025, according to Forbes. While 42 percent of the exits were due to layoffs, 58 percent of women leaving the workforce decided to give up their jobs. One of the biggest reasons according to the survey? Lack of workplace support for employees’ caregiving responsibilities was number one. Nearly one in five women who left a job reported dissatisfaction with pay as a contributing factor.

Have you noticed how poorly people dress on airplanes these days? The U.S. Department of Transportation is trying to encourage people to dress at least a little nicer during flights, according to the Wall Street Journal, hoping it could encourage more civility in the air. They’re probably fighting an uphill battle, considering some of the get-ups people wear to the airport. But why do so many people look so unkempt on planes? Part of it can be blamed on the casual nature of modern workplaces, but much of it comes from planes being more crowded and uncomfortable while service has declined. Increasingly long flight delays, TSA security lines and the prevalence of budget carriers have also had an effect.

SALES

While they understand the importance of networking, many sales professionals do a poor job of it. It’s easy to show up at an event, grab a drink, eat some free hors d’oeuvres, say “hi” to a couple people, then go home and pat yourself on the back for being involved in the community.

Unfortunately, that’s not networking. It’s merely socializing.

While socializing is a good thing, it’s not an efficient way to prospect. In order to convert socializing into networking, plant a three-tiered goal in your mind before you even enter the venue where networking will take place.

I call it “goal-based networking,” and here’s how it works:

Goal #1
“I will get a direct opportunity”
This could be a new client, an invitation to join a prestigious organization, a job offer, a promise to donate money to your pet cause, whatever. While Goal #1 is ideal, it unfortunately doesn’t happen at most networking events.

Goal #2
“I will get a solid lead on a direct opportunity”
This is almost as good as the first goal, because it moves you closer to what you really want. Goal #2 should happen at the vast majority of networking events you attend. If it doesn’t, you’re not meeting enough people or not asking the right questions.

Goal #3
“I will meet new people and learn valuable information”
This is the bare-bones minimum goal that you should achieve at every single networking event you attend.

Make a commitment to network more and think about these three goals before walking into your next networking event. Setting these goals consistently over a long period of time will maximize the return from your investments in networking. That means you increase your public profile, connect with the right people and become that person who always seems to know about market itel long before your colleagues do.

WISDOM

“When you work on something that only has the capacity to make you 5 dollars, it does not matter how much harder you work. The most you will make is 5 dollars.” – EntrepreneurshipFacts

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Did you know there are about 750,000 workers within 60 miles of downtown Omaha?

Did you know Nebraska beef exports exceed $2 billion?

Did you know Nebraska was the 18th fastest-growing state in America between 2024 and 2025?

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Valentine’s Cookie Decorating Workshop happening February 6th: In this hands-on workshop with Stephanie Wolcott, you’ll learn the basics of decorating beautiful, garden-themed sugar cookies—plus tips and techniques to give your creations a polished, professional look. Cookie decorating kits will include everything you need to decorate the cookies in class to take home and enjoy.

Valentine’s Box Workshop happening February 8th: Calling all crafty kids and their grown-ups! Free or pay what you can and come spread the love at Wick & Paper Studio with a super-fun Valentine Box Decorating Workshop just in time for school Valentine’s Day fun. Bring a box from home (shoeboxes are perfect!), and let the magic begin! J.Diane Creations will supply all the fun stuff—colorful decorations, creative supplies and easy guidance—so kids can design the most awesome, sparkly, totally-their-own Valentine box.

Cupid’s Market happening February 8th: Shop, sip and savor the experience with your sweetheart(s) at this lively Midtown Crossing event. Guests can browse 30+ curated local vendors while enjoying themed signature drinks crafted by the Empire Room, plus a full cash bar. Make a night of it by exploring the neighborhood’s restaurants and grabbing a bite to eat. It’s the perfect blend of shopping, sipping and strolling in one festive atmosphere.

Shark Tunnel of Love (21+) happening February 11th – 14th: Dive into love with an adults-only Valentine’s experience at the Zoo designed for meaningful connection. Whether you’re celebrating as a couple or gathering friends for a night out, guests ages 21+ are invited to explore select areas of the Zoo. Enjoy a beautiful evening filled with shared moments, immersive experiences and unforgettable surprises. Select the experience that matches your evening, from General Admission to early-access VIP and private igloo options. Tickets are limited. Book your perfect Valentine’s date night today!

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!

NAI NP Dodge has added Leslie Volk as a licensed commercial real estate agent specializing in retail and investment properties. She has held several leadership positions in the banking industry, most recently at Security National Bank, where she managed a loan portfolio of $55 million. Volk is a past president of Commercial Real Estate Women’s Omaha Metro chapter. Her other involvement includes Downtown Omaha Rotary, Nebraska Humane Society board of directors, Association for Corporate Growth and other organizations. Volk holds a BSBA degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lutz recently added Tashina Cross, Zach Kilthau and Emma Vandenbroucke to the accounting division in its Omaha office. Cross is a client advisory services manager. Kilthau joins the firm as a senior accountant in the Client Advisory Services department. Vandenbroucke joins the Omaha office as a staff accountant in the Client Advisory Services department.

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.

An index fund is a mutual fund designed to replicate the performance of a specific market index. The first index fund available to the investing public was launched 1975. The initial fund was a plain vanilla, no nonsense clone of the S&P 500. Jack Bogle, the mastermind behind the fund, envisioned that investors would buy shares of the fund and hold them, untouched, for decades. Investors’ response to the initial offering was underwhelming. So, underwhelming that it’s manufacturer, Vanguard Funds, contemplate shutting it down at the end of its first year.

As Wall Street and their marketing departments watched, the number of dollars that investors held in their self-directed 401k accounts exploded. Sensing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they put their innovation heads together to develop products to attract those dollars and create an expanding source of revenue.

The first step past the original simple S&P 500 fund was to slice and dice the existing indexes into additional indexes and funds. Examples of these innovations included funds that separated the S&P 500 into growth stocks, value stocks or high-dividend stocks. Slicing and dicing of the Dow and Nasdaq indexes quickly followed. Then came shadow index funds that only contained companies from a specific industrial sector, such as consumer durables, pharmaceutical companies or energy companies.

Today, there are today there are more than 3,000 market indexes and more than 8,300 index funds. These funds are owned by 90 million investors with a total value of $22 trillion. Of this total, $7 trillion is in funds that mimic the S&P 500. Vanguard’s S&P 500 fund has assets approaching $1 trillion, a far cry from its inauspicious start. An additional $6 trillion are in funds that mimic the two other major indexes, the Dow and Nasdaq.

Investors need to be aware that the newly minted indexes deviate from the intent of the original index funds, which is to accept that Mr. Market is smarter than humans and they should simply take the market as given. These funds put humans back in the investment equation of Wall Street’s unending quest to beat the market (or at least claim to do so).

Indications are strong that index funds will continue to grow in popularity and variety. Their inclusion in the investment products available to individual investors parallels the rise of the actively managed mutual funds that occurred 30 to 40 years ago.

It is important for investors to have a basic knowledge of the different types of indexes they mimic. If I may incorrectly paraphrase Shakespeare, “If you call a weed a rose, it will still stink.”

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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.

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