The January 29th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Crisp & Green plans to open a second location in the Shoppes of Legacy. According to a building permit for remodel, the health food restaurant chain will be located at 16902 Wright Plaza, Suite 195, the bay on the end of the building next to California Bronze Tanning. Crisp & Green has a current location at 225 North 80th Street and more than 45 locations throughout the country.

Benjamin’s Neighborhood Kitchen will hold a grand opening celebration on January 30 at 3623 North 129th Street in Eagle Run Plaza in the former Copal Mexican Cuisine space. The restaurant has reopened under different ownership and will offer 50-cent margaritas to the first 50 customers.

A long-awaited Starbucks Coffee building project is finally making progress on the southeast corner of 96th & L Street just west of an existing Romeo’s restaurant. The free-standing building with a drive-thru replaces a former Wells Fargo bank Building, which was demolished. Crews recently installed exterior signage on the building.

Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant, has commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings. The filing is intended to reduce debt, maximize value for stakeholders and support long-term growth of its restaurant brands. The restaurant still plans to open its brand-new Omaha location next month in the Village Pointe West development. Founded in 2005, Twin Peaks has 114 locations in the United States and Mexico.

Flower Child, a health-focused restaurant chain, will open its first Nebraska location in a free-standing building at 112 Regency Parkway on the north side of Regency Shopping Center. The modern eatery is expected to open mid-year and offers fresh, customizable meals. Construction is well underway. Flower Child operates locations in more than a dozen states.

Avenue Two Consignment, a modern consignment boutique specializing in curated designer fashion, is now open at 1022 South 74th Plaza. Avenue Two carries designer handbags, dresses, tops and shoes, with one of the store’s signature highlights being its “denim bar,” an assortment of denim styles, fits and brands. Avenue Two was founded by Rachel Heiser and Meghan Conway Rowen, two Omaha moms who bonded over their shared time living in New York City and their mutual love of fashion.

MINISO has opened a store at Nebraska Crossing in Gretna. The store is located in the northwest part of the mall between Nike and Paradise Bakery. MINISO is a Chinese retail chain with approximately 8,000 stores worldwide. Nebraska Crossing’s website describes MINISO as a “global lifestyle retailer offering a curated selection of toys, plushies, collectibles, stationery, beauty essentials, home goods, fragrances, electronics and snacks.”

Marigold’s Mercantile, a home goods store, has opened in the former Book Nook space at 2115 South 67th Street in Aksarben Village next to Godfather’s Pizza. The shop offers curated home goods, pantry staples and locally made products.

Take2 Omaha, a seasonal consignment store, has opened a new location inside Oak View Mall in the former Rush Market space. The business sells gently used and new children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books, baby equipment and furniture.

Cold Stone Creamery earlier this week closed its stores at Midtown Crossing in Omaha and Nebraska Crossing in Gretna. The national ice cream chain has four other shops in Omaha, all of which are staying open. Cold Stone also plans to open a store soon on the southwest corner of 156th & State Street.

Mootz will permanently close its Countryside Village restaurant at 8725 Shamrock Road on January 31. The family-owned pizzeria opened its brick-and-mortar location in August 2023 after starting as a food truck and is known for Neapolitan-style pizza. – Nicole Buntgen

D’Leon’s Taco Rico has closed at 16919 Audrey St, Suite 20, which is southwest of 168th & Harrison Street. The quick-serve Mexican restaurant has several other Omaha locations that remain open.

The Bath & Body Works store at Oak View Mall closed permanently on January 24th. Bath & Boyd Works operates seven other stores in the Omaha metro area.

Grunt Style has closed permanently at Nebraska Crossing. The San Antonio-based retailer patriotic, military-themed apparel first opened in the mall in August 2021.

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

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse Lets the Beef Do the Talking

By Chris Corey

Most Omahans are well aware of Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, and it’s one of the steakhouses many recommend to visitors when asked, “So, where’s a good place to get a steak?”

It’s a question Omaha tends to get more often than most cities. Most of us have an answer—usually from a short list of favorites. I’ll spare the suspense—Mahogany is now on my short list.

Just a year ago, Mahogany moved down the road a bit. Head west on FNB Parkway and south on 144th Street, and you’ll arrive at the new location in the growing Heartwood Preserve development, built from the ground up to meet the restaurant’s growing needs.

The previous building, now home to Pivot Prime, was first built for a different concept. According to executive general manager Andrew Roy, “the bar had about seven or eight seats. Unless you arrived right at opening, you likely wouldn’t get a spot.” The new location was built, in part, to solve that problem. The bar now has plenty of room.

Roy got into the hospitality business tending bar for some extra cash while attending St. John’s College in Santa Fe, N.M. He fell in love with it and went on to win a couple competitions, including one called ‘The Last Slinger Standing.’ From there, he curated a deep interest in wine and attended The Court of Master Sommeliers Americas. Later, he taught a wine class where he also met his future wife.

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse started in Tulsa, Okla., in the early 2000s. The Omaha location opened a couple of years later as part of a three-location group. Executive chef Brad Johnson oversees the menu and welcomes feedback from the kitchen about new ideas and what’s working and what needs improvement. They source their prime beef from L&L Packing in Chicago, a family-owned meat purveyor.

According to Roy, when Mahogany was just a concept, Johnson said, “Why don’t we make a restaurant where we focus on providing only the best? We only do high-ticket items and make sure we get the best of the best from wherever we can and see if we can make this work.”

The decor inside is a balance of classic steakhouse elements with contemporary design. White tablecloths, dark wood chairs and red carpeting are the traditional foundation while modern pendant lights and stone columns divide the dining room and bar into intimate settings without making the space feel confined. Abstract art pieces are prominent throughout, while black-and-white photography pays homage to classic Hollywood Americana.

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Council Bluffs Plans to Build STEM High School on RiverFront

By Isaiah Ang

Council Bluffs Community School District is planning to build a state-of-the-art charter school on the Riverfront.

Last week, the Iowa State Board of Education approved the district’s plans to build a district-run charter high school with a focus on a STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – curriculum. The district is approved to start the inaugural freshmen class during the 2027-2028 school year.

While there will be a STEM focus with emphasized project-based learning, students will still earn a traditional high school diploma. Specific areas of concentration will include robotics, engineering, aeronautics, artificial intelligence and medical technology, among others.

Tuition will be free for students living in the district, but plans call for about 30 seats to be filled by students from Nebraska. The home districts of Nebraska students would pay students’ tuition.

The district is moving forward with plans to secure land from the City of Council Bluffs inside the River’s Edge District. That’s the mixed-use development on the east side of the Bob Kerrey Missouri River pedestrian bridge. While the final location has not been officially identified, early renderings on the district’s website indicate the property would be the vacant greenfield west of the parking garage and south of an existing, 4-story office building.

The district is currently working on an option-to-purchase agreement to provide flexibility if plans for the charter school hit road bumps. Due to the potential location of the school so close to the Missouri River, the U.S. Corps of Engineers must provide approval of the site. The district anticipates receiving approvals by April.

The total project cost is $35 million, of which the district has raised $24 million. The plan is to complete fundraising by the end of May.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

The Beam, a high-rise multi-family project planned for 8th & Douglas Street north of Heartland of America Park, appears to be moving forward. In 2024, NuStyle Development, led by Todd Heistand, announced the project in collaboration with the Omaha Children’s Museum on a 6-acre site next to Interstate 480.

The museum had originally planned to build on the site, and the city was going to build a parking garage. Last November, the museum announced that it paused fundraising for its $100 million building. At that time, it was unclear whether NuStyle would still move forward with its apartment project even though NuStyle had already invested more than $4 million in infrastructure work.

The Omaha City Council is now considering approval of NuStyle’s Tax Increment Financing application, which means The Beam could be proceeding with or without the museum. The high-rise would total 17 stories – 12 stories of apartment and condominiums built atop a 5-story enclosed parking garage. The building will have 261 residential units. The city will build and manage the parking garage, while NuStyle will build and own the residential building. Construction could start as soon as 2027 with an anticipated opening in spring 2028.

A senior housing project will be soon underway in the Avenue One Good Life District. The housing will be built on vacant property at the southwest corner of 188th & Burke Steet, according to a building permit. The project consists of a 4-story residential building with 165 units, including 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. Amenities will include an indoor pool and spa area plus a basement parking garage. The project is called Attivo Trail and will cater to the 55+ active adult demographic.

A Tommy’s Express Car Wash is under construction at 10779 Hillcrest Plaza in La Vista. The 4,625 sq. ft., conveyor-style car wash is framed and largely enclosed. The site is part of the Val Vista area northeast of 108th & Giles and just west of a pediatric dental office and Children’s Nebraska clinic.

Nebraska’s overall population increased slightly to an estimated 2,018,006 in the latest Census report, but Immigration, a key driver of growth in past years, has plummeted, according to Nebraska Examiner. Data released Tuesday reveals a 0.6 percent annual population bump, or about 12,500 more residents overall from July 2024 through June 2025. Nebraska ranked 18th among the states for biggest percentage population growth.

Some 5,000 Omahans have been selected randomly for a survey designed in partnership with University of Nebraska at Omaha researchers. Residents who do not receive a postcard can still participate. The two surveys are part of “We Make Omaha,” the city’s new comprehensive plan, which will map out Omaha’s growth over the next 20 years. Both surveys are available at wemakeomaha.org/event/survey. Residents who receive a postcard should use their unique four-digit access code to complete the survey rather than take the open-access version.

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DOZE & DIG, an indoor recreation business, will open this spring at 18010 R Plaza, Suite 103, which is southwest of 180th & Q Street. Billed as “Nebraska’s first and only big, huge, gigantic, indoor sandbox,” DOZE & DIG will offer kids ages 8 and under more than 30 tons of sand and hundreds of sand toys such as bulldozers and tractors. Locally owned by Amanda Biardy, the business will have a private party room as well as a coffee bar, used book library and lounge for parents.

Werner Enterprises, Inc., has acquired Tennessee-based First Enterprises, Inc., a dedicated trucking company known as FirstFleet, for approximately $245 million in cash. Werner will also separately acquire real estate properties directly from FirstFleet. The acquisition establishes Werner as the fifth-largest dedicated carrier in the United States.

Omaha’s leading network interconnect provider, 1623 Farnam, announced an expansion project last week. 1623 Farnam is both the name of the business and the location of its carrier hotel. During the pandemic, the 10-story building underwent a $40 million renovation. This facility offers 6MW of power, while the expansion will add another 5MW. The expansion may be located at 508 South 19th Street, which the business apparently purchased in December 2025 under the name 508 S 19th LLC. The existing building on that site is a 27,400 sq. ft. 2-story parking structure. While details are sparse, the project is planned to be completed in 2028.

For the third consecutive year, Omaha-based HDR has been named as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Young People by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers of the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers competition. Now in its 26th year, Canada’s Top Employers for Young People is an editorial competition that recognizes the employers that offer the nation’s best workplaces and programs for young people starting their careers. Winners are chosen by the editorial team based on the programs and initiatives they offer to attract and retain younger workers.

LIVE Hydration & Spa will hold a ribbon cutting Friday, January 30, at 4:30 p.m., for its latest location at 16918 Morgan Avenue in Gretna.

Orenda Commodity Services Ltd. of Ste. Agathe, Manitoba, has purchased Omaha-based Scoular’s sunflower and wild bird food blending business, including a processing facility in Winkler, Manitoba. The sale closed on January 19. Orenda is a Canadian commodity company specializing in wild bird food blending, packaging and logistics.

Valmont Industries, Inc. will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, February 17.

Green Plains Inc. will release fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results prior to the market opening on February 5 and then host a conference call beginning at 8 a.m. Central time to discuss the results and outlook.

Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 fourth quarter and full year results. “We had a record-breaking year and delivered best-ever safety, service, and operating results in 2025,” said Jim Vena, Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer. “Our 2025 reported net income grew 6 percent, earnings per share increased 8 percent, and we improved our operating ratio. While we work through the regulatory process to create America’s first transcontinental railroad, our team is focused on driving further safety, service, and operating improvements to support growth.”

Reported 2025 fourth quarter net income was $1.8 billion. Reported full year 2025 net income of $7.1 billion. UP’s 2025 operating revenue of $24.5 billion was up 1 percent from 2024.

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Food Bank for the Heartland is closed while the organization moves into its recently completed 105,000 sq. ft. office and warehouse building on the northeast corner of 84th & L Streets. The food bank will officially open at the location on February 2.

Heartland Bike Share announced its statistics from 2025. The nonprofit bicycle sharing organization saw 71,990 trips on its bikes, totaling 292,371 miles and an estimated 277,317 pounds of carbon offset. HBS’ Reduced Cost Membership Program, which includes the Library Pass Program, provided a new high of 5,500 trips. The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge station was the most used in 2025.

Avenue Scholars hosted an Internship Fair today, January 29, at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. More than 200 high school juniors from 13 metro-area high schools met with representatives from 23 local businesses — including Children’s Nebraska, Baxter Auto and Pinnacle Bank — which offer paid internship opportunities. Beginning in high school and extending through career entry, the Omaha nonprofit Avenue Scholars works to place participating Omaha youth in high-wage, high-demand careers.

Canopy South was named the recipient of Front Porch Investments’ 2025 Greenlining Fund grant award. This award will support Canopy South’s efforts to promote homeownership in South Omaha through down payment assistance for homebuyers purchasing newly constructed and rehabilitated single-family homes. The Greenlining Fund is led by a Community Advisory Committee, which is currently accepting applications for new members with lived experience in formerly redlined neighborhoods of north and South Omaha and Council Bluffs/Carter Lake who want to help guide the Greenlining Fund’s priorities, investments, and activities.

An upcoming episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild will shine a national spotlight on Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and its decades-long commitment to conserving one of the world’s most endangered amphibians, the Puerto Rican crested toad.

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Omaha returns home tomorrow to host the San Diego Mojo at 7 p.m. and will be celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Night. Following the match, Brooke Nuneviller and Merritt Beason will hold a 45-minute autograph session. Friday’s match will be broadcast locally on Nebraska Public Media and 660 AM.

LOVB Nebraska’s match scheduled for last Sunday, January 25, at LOVB Atlanta was postponed “For the safety of our fans and teams due to this weekend’s weather” in a release from the club. A major ice storm affected parts of northeastern Georgia and Atlanta on Sunday.

LOVB Nebraska will host a pair of home games at Baxter Arena this weekend, beginning with LOVB Madison on Friday at 7 p.m. Friday is Beer & Beverage Night, and fans can enjoy specially priced beers and beverages from doors open until first serve. On Sunday, Nebraska will host LOVB Austin at 3 p.m. for its National Girls & Women in Sports Day celebration, where they will partner with the Women’s Sports Foundation to celebrate girls and women in sports to highlight some local female sports icons throughout the match. Both matches can be streamed with an ESPN+ subscription.

Omaha Hockey goaltender Simon Latkoczy was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Week, his second such honor this season. In his 100th career appearance as a Maverick on Saturday against Colorado College, Latkoczy posted 32 saves and a .941 save percentage. Latkoczy will have a chance to earn his 50th career victory this weekend when Omaha travels to Kalamazoo, Mich., to face No. 3 Western Michigan. Puck drop will be at 6 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Creighton men’s basketball was throttled by Marquette on Tuesday night, losing 86-62 to fall to 12-9 overall and 6-4 in the Big East at the midway point in conference play. Creighton hosts No. 2 UConn on Saturday for its annual Creighton vs. Cancer Pink Out game on Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday’s game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, in partnership with the Omaha Storm Chasers, has announced the 24th annual “Why I Want to Go to College” writing sweepstakes. Students are asked to reflect on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through education after high school. Prizes will be awarded to 12 winners in seventh and eighth grades. Winners will receive contributions to the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) college savings accounts, including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. Essays should be limited to 750 words. Entries must be postmarked by March 16, and sent to: Alexis Smith, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046.

Nebraska Pride is a women’s tackle football team competing in the Women’s Football Alliance, the largest, longest-running competitive women’s tackle football league in the world. The club is actively recruiting players for its season beginning this April and will be joining women’s sports teams from Omaha at Set The Bar in Benson to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Monday, February 2.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha Hockey at #3 Western Michigan | Friday, Jan. 30 | 6 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska vs. LOVB Madison | Friday, Jan. 20 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas vs. San Diego | Friday, Jan. 30 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers at Madison | Friday, Jan. 30 | 7:05 p.m.
• Omaha women’s basketball vs. Kansas City | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 1 p.m.
• Omaha men’s basketball at Denver | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 3 p.m.
• Omaha Hockey at #3 Western Michigan | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 5 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball vs. #2 UConn | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers at Madison | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7:05 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball at Seton Hall | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 2 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska vs. LOVB Austin | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 3 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at Grand Rapids | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 3 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball vs. Georgetown | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 6 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball at Georgetown | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 6:30 p.m.

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From Aquila Court to Magnolia Hotel

By Patrick Wyman

Adjacent to the emerging Flatiron District, the building now known as the Magnolia Hotel first opened as Aquila Court in 1924. Built by brothers Chester and Raymond Cook, it was envisioned as an elegant multi-use destination that combined offices and apartments with retail space around a central courtyard inspired by European design.

The land on which it was built was first acquired by Aquila Cook and later handed down to his children, George and Ira. It was not until Aquila’s grandsons acquired the land that they decided to build the first of four similar buildings in the Midwest.

Located at 1615 Howard Street, the project was advertised as “destined to be the Michigan Boulevard and the Fifth Avenue of Omaha’s shopping life.” Hailing from Chicago, the Cooks hired the architectural firm Holabird & Roche to design it. Raymond insisted that the two buildings be constructed around a central courtyard so that it resembled similar structures in his hometown. To complete the project, they also hired many specialized craftsmen from Chicago.

The U-shaped building, which features the faces of Aquila and George on its facade, was inspired by the Bargello in Italy. Its exterior was faced with Bedford limestone, while the interior courtyard walls were constructed of red brick to create a warmer atmosphere. An arcade surrounded the courtyard, serving as a screen and protected walkway for the surrounding businesses. The courtyard itself resembled an Italian garden, with stone paths, pools containing goldfish, canals, and numerous plants. Raymond personally supervised the layout and plantings.

The interior of the building used luxurious materials, including mahogany woodwork, terrazzo marble flooring, black marble and imported travertine. It also featured modern amenities such as electric elevators and steam heating. The building became a symbol of both innovation and craftsmanship.

The structure stood out from others in Omaha because of its unique layout. The northern and eastern wings contained both retail and office space. Combined, it had 18 street-level retail stores and 240 offices on the upper floors. These stores had entrances facing both the street and the interior courtyard. The offices attracted professionals, including physicians, dentists and artists. Each of the upper floors featured a different motif, ranging from Spanish on the second floor to French Provincial on the third and Mediterranean on the fourth.

The southern wing contained 19 two-story studio apartments, each with a bedroom, living room and balcony overlooking the courtyard below. This wing also included a tearoom and four specialty shops. The apartments were accessed from within the courtyard, which had an entrance along 17th Street. The courtyard served not only as a tranquil oasis but also as a buffer between the two buildings.

The Cook family maintained ownership of the building until 1956. Union Casualty Company was already using a portion of the building for its offices when it purchased the property in 1970. Afterward, Fred Winkelmann, the insurance company’s president and a real estate developer, began an extensive renovation. This work included removing the pools and canals in the courtyard and covering the area with marble slabs, fountains, and an ornamental waterwheel. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

After Winkelmann retired, both Union Casualty and Aquila Court were sold to Ellsworth Financial in 1986. The Chicago-based company was unable to adequately maintain the building, which led to roof and drainage issues. Real estate developer David Slattery acquired the building in 1992. After it was used as Omaha’s Symphony Designer Showhouse, he began a nearly three-year project to repair, renovate and convert it into a hotel.

At that time, it was the only remaining Aquila Court building in the country. The others had been located in Chicago, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Following its latest renovation, it opened as the Westin Aquila in 1996.

During the renovation led by Alley Poyner Architecture and Lund-Ross Constructors, a long-hidden mezzanine was discovered above what would become the registration desk and piano area. Other discoveries included a roster of former tenants on a wall connecting the lobby to the guest suites, a brass and glass mail slide visible from the elevator area on each floor and a chandelier.

At the time, it was only the third Four Diamond hotel in Nebraska, joining the Omaha Marriott and the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln. It was featured in Forbes and Great Hotels and Resorts magazines, as well as USA Today and The New York Times, and was inducted into the Historic Hotels of America program. The hotel featured meeting rooms, a grand ballroom and a full-service restaurant called E. David’s, along with a lounge named Dr. Eugene’s Pub in honor of Slattery’s grandfather, who had maintained a dentist’s office in the building for more than 40 years.

The hotel became part of the Sheraton chain in 1999 and later the Magnolia brand in 2006. The 145-room boutique hotel also included 21 suites and a Presidential Suite, along with a bar that offered live entertainment and a library where guests could select books, use a computer or hold small meetings.

Today, the Magnolia Hotel and its courtyard are popular venues for weddings and other events. It was named runner-up for Best Hotel in the 2025 Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards.

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Vesper Concerts will be hosting a free concert called “Mozart Masterpieces” on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Cross on 1517 South 114th St. This event will feature thirty musicians from the Omaha Symphony who will perform Mozart’s pieces, including Heather Baxter, Assistant Principal Oboe of the Omaha Symphony, and Thomas Kluge, Principal Viola of the Omaha Symphony and conductor of the chamber orchestra. Vesper Concerts is in its 37th season of free concerts, where they provide the Omaha community unique and memorable music experiences that engage, educate and inspire through a wide range of musical genres. Visit their website for more information.

North Omaha Music & Arts will host the Omaha Broadway Bar at their venue on Friday February 6th at 2510 North 24th Street. Omaha Broadway Bar is a live, interactive piano bar experience built on showtunes, singalongs, and audience requests, featuring a rotating roster of over 75 local singers and musicians. It was founded by Curtis Reynolds in 2024, bringing high-energy Broadway favorites, pop standards and anthems into several bars and events across the Omaha metro. For more information, visit here.

Heartwood Preserve and Nebraska Snow Sculpting will host the 2026 Nebraska Snow Sculpting Championship at Heartwood Park at 301 South 145th Street February 13 – 15. The event is free to compete and attend. Spectator and competition hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 13 and 14. Judging will begin at 10 a.m. on February 15 with a public awards ceremony and public viewing of the finished sculptures. Teams up to three will compete using only hand tools to create family-friendly sculptures out of blocks of snow. This sanctioned qualifying event will determine which team represents Nebraska at the 2027 U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva, Wis.

Omaha Community Playhouse has announced auditions for the upcoming play “Mary Poppins” will be held from February 21 – 23, seeking performers of all ages. The classic musical based on the 1964 Disney film is about a magical, no-nonsense nanny as she stays with the Banks to fix their fractured family using wit, charm and wonder. Auditions for adults are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. Auditions for children are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. For more information, visit here.

Did you know the University of Nebraska at Omaha is ranked as a best four-year public institution for Military Friendliness by Military Times?

Did you know development projects in Omaha’s urban core spurred by the future streetcar are now estimated at $3.9 billion over the next 15 years? That’s nearly double the initial estimate of $2 billion.

Did you know Sokol Auditorium (now the Admiral Theatre) was built in 1926 at the corner of 13th & Martha Street to house many of Omaha’s Czech community’s social activities. Sokols were fraternal (and sororal) organizations founded in Bohemia to promote equality, harmony, and fraternity.

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10th Annual Mac & Cheese Binge happening January 31st: Each participating restaurant in Midtown Crossing will offer mac & cheese samplers, with suggested drink pairings (prices vary). Start your tasting tour anywhere you like, then visit as many restaurants as possible in any order and cast your vote for the best mac in midtown! Full menu will be posted the week of the binge!

Couple Shuffle happening January 31st: Bodies Racing is all about fun, family-friendly events that welcome every pace and fitness level. This race is the perfect chance to challenge yourself, enjoy creative swag and be part of an encouraging, affordable and inclusive community. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just showing up for the fun, they’re here to cheer you on every step of the way. Make sure to pre-register!

Botanical Blooms by Pamela Martinez Oquendo happening daily through February 25th: Pamela Martinez Oquendo is an acrylic painter devoted to exploring and celebrating the natural world through vibrant color and bold, expressive brushstrokes. Her work seeks to capture the inherent beauty of botanicals, the energy of nature and the delicate balance that sustains it. Botanical Blooms is a striking collection of acrylic paintings that is both visually engaging and thought-provoking. Drawing from a deep connection to and admiration for the natural world, the artist aims to inspire viewers to pause, reflect and cultivate a greater appreciation for nature. Come out to Lauritzen Gardens to experience her work for yourself!

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NP Dodge Real Estate has welcomed three residential sales associates including Abby Martin, Elleon Boden and Justin Davis.

The Greater Omaha Chamber has announced its board of directors’ chair positions for 2026 and 2027. Paul West, managing partner of Carson Wealth, will serve as chair, and David E. Cota, executive vice president at FNBO, will serve as chair-elect and become chair in 2027. Beth Whited, former president of Union Pacific Railroad, served in this role for 2025.

Mutual of Omaha has promoted Michelle Moats to vice president of operations for Health and Annuity Solutions. She joined Mutual of Omaha in 2012 as a distribution services analyst and has advanced through multiple leadership roles, most recently as director of distribution operations with direct accountability for the producer management and compensation experience.

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

Name brands out of favor? According to The Hustle, Budget-conscious shoppers spent a record $283 billion on in-store brands, up 3.3 percent from 2024, per the Private Label Manufacturers Association.

Ecommerce in flux? Amazon is laying off roughly 16,000 corporate employees, according to 1440 Daily Digest. The announcement came a day after the tech giant said it was shutting down Amazon Fresh and Go grocery stores – and after it laid off around 14,000 corporate employees in October.

Could be better but could be a lot worse – Visual Capitalist recently reported on American’s most healthy states. A population’s cumulative health has a direct impact on the success of businesses, organizations and entire communities. Nebraska ranked a respectable #20. Iowa was 17th. The healthiest state was New Hampshire. The least healthy was Louisiana.

Want some inspiration? Winston Churchill was one of the greatest leaders in the history of western civilization. Not only did he lead his country through World War II, but he was also an accomplished author and an advanced political/leadership theorist. Want to know what else he was? Depressed! Churchill battled depression for much of his life, referring to it as his “black dog.” According to Upworthy, one way Churchill found relief was through art. Over the course of his lifetime, he ended up creating more than 570 canvases.

SALES

The best way to find opportunities with the most prestigious clients is through networking. As a sales pro, you have to be active, energetic and engaged in your local market. We have to get out of the office and do hands-on prospecting out in the world.

You can find key decision makers by getting involved in the right organizations or events. Here are 10 you could consider:

1. Chambers of Commerce – offer an array of programs designed for professionals. Chambers provide an opportunity to learn from and network with professionals from a wide variety of businesses from all parts of your local market.
2. Professional & Trade Associations – bring people of one profession together for educational and networking purposes. Now, many of the members could be your direct competitors, but others could become clients or at least referral providers.
3. Philanthropy & Non-Profit Boards – allow you to make the world a better place while fostering friendships with fellow board members and philanthropists who can help you reach your real estate brokerage goals.
   Politics – include interest groups, political parties and election campaigns. Political involvement is “hands-on” and allows you to grow close with fellow members as you work toward a common cause.
4. Service Clubs & Fraternal Organizations – are groups such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Freemasons, Knights of Columbus, etc. These organizations can be demanding of your time but allow you to build meaningful relationships. People who join these groups tend to be social “go-getters” who get things done.
5. Religion – provides spiritual and emotional benefits while exposing you to people who hold similar beliefs. Places of worship are good at connecting people.
6. Tips & Networking Clubs – are curated groups of professionals who get together on a regular basis to share ideas, give each other referrals and talk about rumors in the marketplace. In order to receive value from these organizations, you must be willing to give value.
7. Youth Organizations – Kid’s activities need parents and grandparents to provide leadership. In so doing, you are connected with other adults, some of whom are influencers and decision-makers.
8. The Arts – allow you pursue an enjoyable passion while making contacts and establishing name recognition. Most arts organizations are in need of many volunteers and will welcome you with open arms. High-net-worth individuals are often involved philanthropically.
9. Sports & Recreation – keep you healthy and fit while building friendships. There’s just something about physical activity and team competition that naturally fosters healthy relationships.

Be judicious as you choose networking opportunities. If I’m going primarily for networking purposes (as opposed to personal/emotional reasons), I only go to those groups and events that have a high likelihood of providing significant professional benefit. In other words, if my target audience is not going to be there, I’m not going to be there.

WISDOM

“”Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.” — Peter Drucker

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Don Quixote is a classic Spanish novel written by Miguel Cervantes in 1615. The plot revolves around the adventures of a low echelon noble man named Alonso Quixano. Alonso reads so many romantic chivalry novels that he loses touch with reality. He does not see the world for what it is, believing instead that he is the living re-embodiment of the knightly code of ethics – that is a knight named Don Quixote. It is from Cervante’s classic novel that we get the phrase “tilting at windmills.” (from a passage in which Alonso believes windmills to be enemy giants that he must vanquish).

The phrase suggests that we should avoid conflicts that are imaginary or impossible to resolve.

For the past 18 months, President Trump, in cahoots with a few Wall Street brown nosers, have been treating the Federal Reserve and its Chairmen Jerry Powell in a Quixotic fashion. Operating on the questionable premise that the Fed has the power to finetune the national economy, they verbally assaulted Powell for not lowering interest rates fast enough, then abruptly reversed course and assaulted him for lowering interest rates too fast.

This begs the question: If the Fed is so omnipotent, how did we get into this sink hole and why have they not yanked us out of it?

Open any economic textbook to the chapter on the Federal Reserve and its role in managing the business cycle. There you will find the words ceteris paribus, which is Latin for “all things being equal.” English translation: “If you do this, this will happen as long as nothing else changes.”

So, the theoretical powers of the Fed to maneuver the economy are based on the assumption that nothing else changes. We are in the throes of change of epic proportions – a worldwide trade war, massive budget cuts, dramatic changes in energy production and so on. The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing, and to add insult to injury, they refuse to talk to each other. All reasons why any discussion of the Fed possessing mystical powers to maneuver the economy makes as much sense as Don Quixote’s jousting with windmills.

There are some things you can know and some things you need to know. You don’t need to know all the gory details of how the Fed goes about executing its dual mandates of stable prices and full employment. You do need to know that if you buy and manage index funds in your 401k, you will be able to retire with enough money to spoil your grand kids. If you don’t have grandkids to spoil, I will loan you several of mine.

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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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