The June 11th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Yard House apparently plans to open its first Omaha-area restaurant in the Avenue One district southeast of 192nd & West Dodge Road, according to a City of Omaha building permit dated June 3. The free-standing building would be located at 19051 Davenport Street and would include an outdoor patio. Founded in California in 1996, Yard House has about 100 restaurants nationwide with the closest existing ones in Kansas City.

Maharaja Indian Cuisine has opened its second location at 8419 South 73rd Plaza in Papillion, on the southwest corner of 72nd & Giles in the former Miyake Sushi House space. Its original location is in Miracle Hills at 617 North 114th Street.

KC Bier Co has launched distribution in Nebraska. The independent craft brewery is located in Kansas City, Mo., and specializes in authentic German-style bier. Nebraska is the company’s third state along with Missouri and Kansas. The beer is already showing up in Omaha-area bars and restaurants on draught and in cans.

Let It Fly Sports Bar West is under new ownership. Michael Alan, who recently opened a Let It Fly in Lincoln, purchased the west Omaha location at 1311 South 203rd Street. The original ownership group retains the downtown location at 1080 Capitol Avenue. Alan plans several improvements, including more comfortable bar stools and upgraded booth seating. “Whether you support Nebraska, Creighton, UNO or any other local team, everyone is welcome here,” Alan said.

Hyper Energy Bar plans to open a third Omaha location at the end of this month or in early July at 6735 South 205th Street in the Coventry development northwest of 204th & Harrison Street. Iowa-based Hyper Energy Bar specializes in handcrafted energy drinks, coffees and snacks. The location will offer giveaways and conduct an opening fundraiser during its first few days of business.

Borsheims has begun construction of its major renovation at Regency Shopping Center. The project includes an open-concept showroom redesign, an updated luxury salon and an entrance vestibule. The 20,000 sq. ft. store will remain open throughout construction.

Hy-Vee is selling its 21 stand-alone Fast & Fresh convenience stores to Bosselman Enterprises of Grand Island, Neb., according to the Des Moines Register. Bosselman will switch the stores to the Pump & Pantry name it uses at 48 locations in Nebraska. Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh stores are located mostly in Iowa with two in west Omaha and one in Minnesota. Hy-Vee will continue to own 168 Fast & Fresh locations adjacent to its grocery stores.

A fast-growing Pilates studio franchise plans to open its first Nebraska location in northwest Omaha. Bodybar Pilates has a permit to finish 2,400 sq. ft. in a retail strip building at 17807 Manderson Street near a recently opened Smoothie King. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Bodybar opened 27 locations in 2025 and now has more than 70 across 21 states.

Millard VFW Post 8334 and Millard American Legion Post 374, currently co-located in the strip mall adjacent The Amazing Pizza Machine, recently purchased the former El Bee’s Restaurant at 10402 South 144th Street, just south of Interstate 80. The new facility will be known as the Millard Veterans Alliance. The move will take place later this year.

Knead2Grow has launched Omaha’s first mobile grocery store. The business offers produce, bread, pantry staples and other grocery items through a mobile market that serves customers throughout the metro.

Cracker Barrel said its recovery from last year’s logo controversy is ahead of schedule after reporting stronger-than-expected earnings and raising its financial outlook. The restaurant chain reverted to its traditional branding after customer backlash over a redesigned logo in 2025. Cracker Barrel has Omaha-area locations at Highway 50 & Interstate 80 as well as South Expressway Street & Interstate 80 and Council Bluffs.

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

Accessory Dwelling Unit & Home Create Rental Opportunities in North Omaha

Seventy-Five North Revitalization Corp. hosted a showcase and open house earlier this month, to mark the completion of a new home and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the Highlander neighborhood of north Omaha.

Building on a winning design first introduced to the public through an ADU demonstration at the Omaha Riverfront, the Highlander ADU brings that vision into use as permanent rental housing. The home and detached ADU will soon be available for rent, adding a flexible housing model to Seventy-Five North’s growing portfolio of affordable housing options.

The event drew elected officials, community partners, funders and neighbors to celebrate a housing solution brought to life through three years of bold ideas, collaboration, and shared commitment to expanding housing choice.

The project originated with AARP Nebraska’s ADU for You design competition in 2023, an “Omaha-focused effort to raise awareness of ADUs as age-friendly, family-friendly housing options and produce buildable concepts suited to local neighborhoods.”

Accessory dwelling units, often called ADUs, are smaller independent homes typically located on the same property as a primary residence.

“Imagine my delight when we had over 20 designs submitted,” said Todd Stubbendieck, AARP Nebraska state director.

After reviewing the submissions, a community panel selected the winning design by Daniel Conway of Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture.

With seed funding from AARP and support from Front Porch Investments’ Innovation Fund, the winning design was first introduced to the community through a demonstration installation at the Omaha Riverfront in 2025. Following the demonstration, Seventy-Five North worked with partners to bring the concept to Highlander as permanent, rentable housing. The completed ADU carries forward the design vision, footprint and layout first introduced at the Riverfront.

Additional partners who helped bring the demonstration project to life include Blair Freeman, Omaha by Design, Pella, Leo A Daly and Noddle Companies.

In the Highlander neighborhood, the ADU offered a practical solution to a real development challenge. Seventy-Five North was working to redevelop a lot large enough to invite more creative use, but not well suited for two separate homes. By pairing a new single-family home with an accessory dwelling unit on the same property, the organization was able to make better use of the site, increase housing supply, and create a flexible rental option that may better meet the needs of future residents.

“Housing innovation is more than doing something different for the sake of being different,” said Jody Holston, executive director of Front Porch Investments. “It is about finding practical solutions that help people access safe, quality housing.”

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

NuStyle Development has started converting the former FNBO “Main Bank” building into 294 market-rate apartments. The building is located at 1620 Dodge Street, directly north of FNBO’s First National Tower. The 22-story building was constructed in 1971. At 295 feet, it is the sixth tallest building in Omaha behind the Mutual of Omaha tower, First National Center, WoodmenLife Tower, Elmwood Tower and Union Pacific Center.

Historic spaces such as the elevator lobby’s pedestrian passageway and two-story banking space will be retained, in addition to historic materials such as interior storefront, escalators and extant terrazzo floors. The Omaha Press Club will remain on the top floor.

UNMC’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center received a state-of-the-art proton beam therapy system last week. The 17-ton device was transported from Boston and will allow Nebraska Medicine to deliver highly targeted radiation therapy to precisely treat tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. It’s the first such system in the region as there are currently no proton therapy facilities in Colorado, Iowa, Wyoming or the Dakotas.

Fun-Plex’s MAMMOTH roller coaster opens to the public tomorrow – Friday, June 12 – near 70th & Q Street. MAMMOTH is 2,000 feet long and rises 70 feet in the air. Fun-Plex says the ride is the biggest roller coaster ever in Nebraska.

The City of Omaha held a groundbreaking program earlier this week, officially kicking off construction of new baseball and softball fields in Gallagher Park at 2936 North 52nd Street, next to Benson High School. The $5 million project is possible because of fundraising efforts by the Benson High School Foundation as well as class-of-1958 alumni Djel Ann Brown and the late Paul Brown.

Crews have installed “Mutual of Omaha” signage atop the insurance giant’s future headquarters tower at 14th & Farnam Street downtown. The name will be clearly visible from Charles Schwab Field during the NCAA Men’s College World Series, which starts tomorrow. At 677 feet, the Mutual tower is the tallest skyscraper in Nebraska and all bordering states except Colorado. Mutual plans to occupy the building at the end of this year.

The Omaha City Council this week approved a resolution to reimburse NuStyle Development $4.3 million for development costs related to a project at 8th & Douglas Street. The site was intended to be the home of the Omaha’s Children Museum, a 17-story apartment building and a city-owned parking garage. The museum leadership put relocation plans on hold, and NuStyle followed suit. Before the project paused, NuStyle incurred significant costs related to grading and infrastructure installation. The city agreed to reimburse NuStyle. The site is now in essentially shovel-ready condition and could be developed in the future even if the museum relocation and apartment project ultimately fall through.

After two years of being closed, the sprayground at 705 Riverfront Drive, at the base of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, has officially reopened, according to City of Omaha Parks & Recreation.

The Omaha Public Library announced it will upgrade the City Garden just outside the new Central Library at 72nd & Dodge Street. The outdoor courtyard will close for approximately three weeks, so construction crews can make improvements based on how the public uses the space. The rest of Central Library remains fully open, and all main entrance doors will be accessible during normal hours.

Nebraska Medicine and Noddle Companies held a beam-singing program yesterday, marking the installation of the final piece of structural steel of the Gretna Landing Health Center. The 125,000 sq. ft. building is located northwest of 192nd & Highway 370 and will open to patients in the second half of 2027. The center is part of a 31-acre, mixed-use project that will also include retail, restaurant, service and residential uses.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has reopened its Stingray Beach attraction following a year of enhancements to infrastructure, animal care protocols and habitat design. Stingray Beach allows visitors to interact with animals. Zoo employees are present throughout the exhibit to facilitate interactions and feeding opportunities.

The City of Council Bluffs and Metropolitan Planning Agency will host the Council Bluffs Linkages Study public open house Tuesday, June 17, from 4 to 8:00 PM at the Council Bluffs Public Library at 400 Willow Avenue. The event will provide an opportunity to review study findings and recommended transportation concepts connecting downtown Council Bluffs and downtown Omaha.

The study has explored potential streetcar, enhanced bus transit, bicycle, pedestrian and multimodal transportation connections intended to improve mobility, regional connectivity and access to jobs, services, and destinations between Council Bluffs and Omaha.

The meeting will be held in an open house format, allowing attendees to participate at any time during the event. Public feedback will help inform final study recommendations and future transportation planning discussions related to regional connections between Council Bluffs and Omaha.

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First National of Nebraska, with its subsidiary FNBO, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co., of Independence, Mo. The acquisition is pending regulatory approval, which is anticipated before the end of the year. Blue Ridge Bank has eight branches and approximately $850 million in assets. The agreement follows Omaha-based FNBO’s acquisition of Country Club Bank last year, which included 20 Kansas City-area branches. The acquisition will make FNBO fifth in deposit market share in Kansas City.

Baird Holm LLP was recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, earning top-tier placement across key practice areas. Baird Holm is ranked in the highest tier in each of the five core categories evaluated by Chambers: Corporate/Commercial; Healthcare; Labor & Employment; Litigation; and Real Estate. The rankings are based on independent research and peer review.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. was included as a 2026 Top Green Fleet by Heavy Duty Trucking. This industry honor highlights Werner’s leadership in sustainable trucking, data-driven freight efficiency and its ongoing commitment to lowering real-world emissions. This marks the fifth time Werner has taken home the honor since 2020.

Haven Express Lounge received Omaha City Council approval this week for its liquor license application. Local entrepreneur, Devaute Nunn, started the business as a food truck and serves comfort food-inspired street food including, loaded fries and wings. He opened his brick-and-mortar location at 1217 Leavenworth Street on last month. While there was some opposition from neighbors in the SOMA Townhomes neighborhood, Nunn made concessions to meet some of their concerns. The business owner’s efforts to cooperate with neighbors helped the City Council unanimously approve his liquor license application.

Mutual of Omaha has been recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces in Financial Services 2026 by Newsweek and Plant‑A Insights Group, earning a 5-star rating for its commitment to fostering an exceptional employee experience. The recognition highlights organizations that prioritize employee well-being, strong leadership, fair compensation and work-life balance. It is based on an evaluation of publicly available data and a confidential nationwide employee survey.

Omaha ranks #142 among the nation’s 182 largest cities for household credit card debt, according to WalletHub. Omaha’s average credit card debt is $11,978 per household. Cities with the highest credit card debt are Santa Clarita, Calif; Chula Vista, Calif.; and Pearl City, Hawaii. The lowest debts are found in Lewiston, Maine; Madison, Wis.; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Grow Omaha Business News is brought to you by Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner, Inc. (TD2). Since 1967, TD2 has partnered with municipalities, developers, architects and builders to shape the places where people live, work and connect. TD2 provides comprehensive services in civil, structural and geotechnical engineering as well as land surveying, materials testing and construction observation — all with a focus on client service and community impact. Discover how TD2 is engineering Omaha’s future HERE.

No More Empty Pots this summer will launch another season of youth-focused classes and workshops, including summer programming with Nathan Hale Middle School, Field Club Elementary School, the Douglas County Health Department’s Project New Lens program and the Peter Kiewit Foundation’s Summer Fun series.

The program will bring busloads of students from organizations across Omaha to the No More Empty Pots’ Food Hub in north Omaha for immersive educational experiences centered on cooking, nutrition, agriculture, and food systems. The organization just wrapped up a school year serving as an after-school program through Collective for Youth, in which NMEP educators engaged more than 60 elementary and middle school students in culinary labs, nutrition education lessons, gardening activities and food science experiments.

After merging with Children’s Square in the fall of 2025, Child Saving Institute announced plans this week to begin a series of initial capital improvements to the Children’s Square campus in Council Bluffs later this year. Several of the impacted buildings are between 70 and 115 years old. Renovations will focus on improving safety, sustainability and the organization’s ability to serve children and families.

The Set Me Free Project, in partnership with Union Pacific, hosted a Human Trafficking Awareness Event last week. The event educated participants about trafficking prevention and led discussions regarding community action.

By sponsoring this section, your brand gets in front of nearly 25,000 Grow Omaha newsletter subscribers, who care about our local nonprofits. Our highly engaged nonprofit readers include executive directors, development professionals, philanthropists, community leaders and concerned citizens. For advertising information, contact Karla Steele, Sales Coordinator, at karla@growomaha.com

What Today’s Luxury Home Buyer Is Really Looking For

By Jill Anderson

Today’s luxury buyers aren’t just purchasing square footage — they’re curating a lifestyle. While tastes vary by market, a clear set of priorities shows up again and again. Below is a shortened list of items these buyers are looking for, courtesy of Luxury Portfolio International.

• Prime, private location with access: The ideal property balances seclusion and security with quick reach to top schools, culture, dining, airports and outdoor amenities. Quiet streets, gated entries and sightline control are high on the list.
• Architectural integrity and timeless design: Buyers favor homes with a coherent design language — whether contemporary minimalism or restored classic — executed with proportion, natural light and authentic materials. Trend-aware, not trend-chasing.
• Exceptional craftsmanship and materials: Stone, steel, wide-plank hardwood, artisan millwork and custom metal/glass systems matter. Fit-and-finish — from flush baseboards to invisible reveals — signals true quality more than brand names alone.
• Indoor-outdoor living: Walls that disappear, covered lounges, outdoor kitchens, heated pools with spa features and mature landscaping that feels like a private resort. Year‑round usability through shading, misting, heaters and smart controls is a plus.
• Wellness and sanctuary spaces: Spa-grade primary suites, cold plunge and sauna, steam showers, natural materials, circadian lighting, quiet HVAC and excellent acoustics. Dedicated fitness studios with proper flooring and ventilation outperform multipurpose rooms.
• Advanced yet invisible technology: Whole-home automation that is intuitive and discreet — lighting scenes, climate zoning, security with perimeter monitoring, motorized shading, and robust mesh networking. Reliability and cybersecurity are as important as features.
• Culinary-grade kitchens and entertaining flow: Dual islands, professional appliances, scullery or back kitchen, temperature-controlled wine storage and seamless circulation to dining, family and outdoor areas. Guests should move naturally; staff should move unseen.
• Space that flexes: Thoughtful zones for hybrid work, kids, multigenerational living and staff quarters. A screening room, club room or golf/sport simulator may win over hobbyists, but adaptability over time is the real luxury.

The throughline: luxury buyers are pursuing ease, discretion and enduring value. Homes that deliver quiet confidence, effortless daily living and spaces that restore and inspire.

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

Union Omaha split its last two matches, taking down Fort Wayne FC at Morrison Stadium on Saturday, 4-2, before beginning a three-match road stretch against Charlotte Independence on Wednesday night. Charlotte defeated Omaha, 2-0, handing the Owls their first loss since May 17. Despite the loss, Omaha currently sits atop USL League One at 9-3-1, good for 23 points in the standings. Omaha will face Sarasota Paradise on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Head coach Vincenzo Candela was voted the USL League One Coach of the Month for May, announced on Wednesday. This is his first Coach of the Month honor since becoming Omaha’s head coach halfway through the 2025 season, after leading the Owls to an undefeated month in league play to take over the top spot in USL League One standings.

Last week, Union Omaha announced that it will host FIFA World Cup watch parties with several local partners this summer. Each watch party will feature club activations, including appearances by Hoot the Owl, inflatable games, giveaways and merchandise. The series begins with Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 and runs through the World Cup final on July 19. Information on all confirmed watch parties and sites is available on the Grow Omaha website.

The Omaha Storm Chasers are hosting the Las Vegas Aviators for a series at Werner Park this week, currently tied 1-1. Thursday night, first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and the team is hosting $3 Thursday, where fans can enjoy select tickets, concessions and Busch Light for $3 each.

Storm Chasers outfielder Kameron Misner was named the International League Player of the Week for his performance from June 1 to 7 when Minor League Baseball announced its honors on Tuesday. Misner went 10-for-24 (.417) during Omaha’s road series against Columbus, driving three doubles and five home runs for a Minor League-leading 28 total bases.

Former Storm Chasers pitcher Beck Way made his Major League debut for the Kansas City Royals last Friday in their game against the Minnesota Twins. Way is the fourth Storm Chaser to debut in the MLB this season and the second to do so with the Royals. He entered his first MLB game Friday, pitching a scoreless eighth inning where he allowed just one hit and recorded two strikeouts. With Way’s entry into Friday’s game, he became the 350th player in franchise history to make their MLB debut after playing for the Storm Chasers.

Upcoming Events

• Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Las Vegas | June 9 – 14 | 7:05 p.m. Thursday
• College World Series | West Virginia vs. Troy | Friday, June 12 | 1 p.m.
• College World Series | North Carolina vs. Ole Miss | Friday, June 12 | 6 p.m.
• College World Series | Alabama vs. Oklahoma | Saturday, June 13 | 2 p.m.
• Union Omaha at Sarasota | Saturday, June 13 | 6:30 p.m.
• College World Series | Georgia vs. Texas | Saturday, June 13 | 7 p.m.

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The Joslyn: Sarah’s Gift to Omaha

By Patrick Wyman

George Joslyn spent his life building a business and made a fortune in the process. Sarah Joslyn dedicated hers to giving it away. The result is what would become the premier art museum in the state, named in his honor.

The wealthiest people in Nebraska also happened to be some of its most philanthropic. They used that wealth to better not only the people of Omaha but numerous organizations, including the Omaha Community Playhouse, Nebraska Humane Society, Fontenelle Forest, University of Omaha, Fontenelle Home for the Aged, Visiting Nurses Association and Child Saving Institute, among others.

It made perfect sense, then, when George passed away and left behind a fortune, Sarah used it to better society and improve the lives of those around her. Her status put her in a position where she received thousands of requests for money. She took those requests to heart and personally responded to many of them.

Sarah looked for ways to both honor George and to offer a gift to the people of Omaha. With that goal in mind, she purchased six lots along Dodge Street between 22nd and 24th streets in 1921. It was on that land that she planned to build the Joslyn Memorial. To do so, she hired the same two architects who built their castle: John and Alan McDonald. The father-son team were long friends of the Joslyns.

To fund the memorial at 2200 Dodge Street, she sold her stake in the Western Newspaper Union, the business George built into the largest of its kind. Selling it to the company’s employees for $5 million in 1929, she donated $3 million to build the memorial and to fund the Society of Liberal Arts, which she founded to operate it. The Joslyn Memorial opened its doors to the public in 1931 and put the couple’s love of the arts on full display. It continued to grow and became the premier art institution in not just Omaha but the entire state of Nebraska.

Designed in the Art Deco style, the Joslyn Memorial building at 24th & Dodge Street was constructed from Georgia pink marble and 38 other types of marble from across the world. Its facade featured decorative panels that depicted the people of the plains, including both Native Americans and European settlers.

The memorial’s interior included art galleries but also housed a concert hall, lecture hall, art library, classrooms, an atrium with a fountain and a personal retreat for its founder. It was open to all with no cost to enter. Much of its art collection came from individual collectors as well as Omaha’s two main art societies: the Friends of Art and the Art Institute of Omaha.

The end result was impressive. So impressive, in fact, that the memorial was named one of the 100 finest buildings in the country in 1938. After Sarah passed away in 1940, 24 years after George, she turned both the memorial and the society that managed it over to trustees. She also left an endowment to ensure that it could continue to expand its art collection.

In 1987, the Joslyn Memorial was renamed the Joslyn Art Museum to reflect its expanding focus on art. Well before 1994, it was becoming apparent that the museum was beginning to run out of space. At that time, it completed its first expansion, named the Walter and Suzanne Scott Pavilion.

The addition, designed by renowned British architect Norman Foster, complemented the original building. Impressively, they acquired pink Georgian marble from the same quarry used to create the original structure. The addition allowed for postwar and contemporary art galleries as well as space dedicated to visiting works of art, a cafe, kitchen, offices, storage space, classrooms and a glass atrium that connected the addition to the original building.

Free admission to the museum, one of Sarah’s primary goals, was reinstated in 2013 after ceasing in 1965. This was the result of a generous donation from the Sherwood Foundation. A dramatic spike in attendance followed, a nearly 60 percent increase from 2010 to 2019. During that time, more than 190,000 people from all 50 states and countries around the world visited the museum.

More change was on the horizon when the museum closed for nearly two years starting in 2022 to make way for a second addition. Named the Rhonda and Howard Hawks Pavilion for the philanthropists who were among its primary benefactors, the new wing was designed by Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture and Snøhetta and made no effort to match the facade of the original building.

Instead, the 42,000 sq. ft. addition resembled a cloud-like form blowing past the museum. The project allowed for a new entrance, additional gallery space, more classrooms, community space and a gift shop. It also offered another opportunity to revamp the outdoor spaces and sculpture garden. The result earned it Omaha by Design’s Laurels Award in 2024.

More than 100 years since the Joslyn Memorial opened as a gift to the people of Omaha and a way to honor George Joslyn, it has become the largest art museum in the state with a collection of more than 12,000 objects representing 5,000 years of human creativity. According to Forbes, with its recent expansion, it also became one of the few museums in the country to fully integrate Native American art into its other galleries. Its permanent collection spans Ancient, European, Latin American, Asian and Postwar and Contemporary art.

During his life, George said, “The money was made in Omaha, and it will be spent in Omaha.” Sarah helped realize that promise. The Joslyn stands as proof.

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 City of Fremont and Fremont Creative District announced the PARTY in the Park event at John C. Fremont Park has been postponed from June 17th to December of this year because of ongoing construction and improvement work within the park. The decision was made to ensure the experience can be enjoyed by all attendees and vendors in a setting intended by the organizers.

The Omaha Freedom Festival will take place Saturday, June 13th, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. A free concert will take place at Gene Leahy Mall at 8:30 p.m. The daytime festival celebrating Juneteenth will have several food vendors and activities such as face painting, basketball challenges, kickball tournament, bike giveaways and free food raffles. The concert will feature R&B artists such as Keri Wilson, Lyfe Jennings and Nivea performing on stage, as well as a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free but downloading tickets is still required. Visit HERE for more information.

The 57th Annual Garden Walk hosted by the Munroe-Meyer Guild will take place Sunday, June 14th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family-friendly and self-guided tour will traverse five extraordinary private gardens across southwest and west Omaha, where each space reflects the heart of its gardener. These are located at Candlewood, Heavenly Acres, Linden Estates, Walnut Ridge and West Dodge Station. There will be vendors and local artists set up near the Candlewood garden. Visit here for more information.

Christopher Cross with Austin Jenckes will be performing at the Holland Center Wednesday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m. Cross dominated the soft rock charts in the 1970s and 80s and made history by winning Album, Record, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist, at the 1981 Grammys. His musical hits include “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind,” and the Oscar-winning “Arthur’s Theme.”

Jenckes, a celebrated singer and songwriter, was also a top-10 finalist on Season 5 of NBC’s The Voice in 2013. He blends soulful and introspective storytelling with southern rock and country blues, with hits such as “Never Left Memphis” and “Ride Away.” Visit Ticket Omaha for more information.

The Papillion Community Foundation will present Annual Papillion Days at City Park in downtown Papillion Wednesday, June 17, through Sunday, June 21. For 79 years, this festival brings thousands of people to enjoy live entertainment and performances, carnival rides, parades, vendors and family-friendly activities. It’s an honored tradition and the highlight of summer, as well as Father’s Day, in Papillion. Wednesday alone will feature Wildlife encounters, a kiddie parade, live performances and many vendors.

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LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

It’s getting harder for older workers to find a job. Four years ago, laid-off workers 45 to 54 years old were unemployed for an average of 27.1 weeks, compared to the current average of 30.7 weeks, according to CNN. Those rates have also climbed for people 55+. Meanwhile, people ages 35 to 44 are unemployed for an average of 24.6 weeks.

Almost one in four white-collar workers is experiencing a hidden professional crisis: a “mid-career stall,” defined as at least five years without a promotion or meaningful raise, according to CBS News. A recent study, which tracked 1.3 million mid-career professionals across a range of industries over 25 years, determined that 24.2 percent of mid-career professionals are stalled in their workplaces. The researchers defined “mid-career” as the period roughly 10 to 15 years after a worker starts their professional career.

SALES

Sometimes a prospective client, one you’re sure is going to end up buying from you, suddenly goes inexplicably dark.

A prospect will seek you out, ostensibly excited about your offering. Your meeting goes well. You hit it off with the prospect and start to build a relationship. The prospect is giving you a ton of buying cues. You promptly write a proposal and email it with a smile on your face and anticipation in your heart.

And then the crickets start chirping.

The client has gone dark, and despite your multiple emails and voicemails you can’t get them to acknowledge your existence. Some people even call it “ghosting,” a term usually reserved for the dating world.

Why do prospects go dark? There are several possibilities and most of them have little to do with you:

• They are super busy and overwhelmed
• They don’t have the same level of urgency as you do
• They are procrastinators
• They are not proactive communicators
• They are indecisive
• They have to get buy-in from other people/departments in their company
• They have various internal processes that must play out
• Their financial conditions may have changed suddenly
• They might be navigating internal politics
• They may have been using you for leverage with another company they like better than you.
• They are simply not interested and the thought of telling you is unpleasant especially if they have non-confrontational or avoidant personalities
• They are not interested, and because of a personality flaw, they don’t care enough about you to let you know. They are essentially sociopathic instead of empathetic.

Of all the possible reasons above, only the last three are truly negative. If it is any other reason, your prospect is likely still interested, and therefore, you should not give up on them.

Next week, we’ll share Part II – What you can do when a prospective client goes dark.

WISDOM

“Never forget something that once made you smile.” – Unknown

Did you know west Omaha is getting a four-star hotel that will be part of the Marriott Autograph Collection? Construction is scheduled to begin this fall on The Elowen Hotel in The Row district at Heartwood Preserve. The 6-story, 160-room hotel is expected to open in 2028.

Did you know Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Gretna draws visitors from a 300-mile radius?

Did you know Nebraska’s agricultural sector supports more than 244,000 jobs statewide and contributes $97.4 billion in sales output? The industry also generates more than $6 billion in tax revenue.

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USA vs. Paraguay Watch Party — Happening June 12
Join fellow soccer fans to cheer on the U.S. Men’s National Team as they take on Paraguay in a Copa América watch party atmosphere. Expect big-screen action, food and drinks plus the energy of watching one of the summer’s biggest matches with a crowd.

Papillion Days — Happening June 17–21
One of the area’s favorite summer traditions returns with four days of live music, carnival rides, a parade, food vendors, fireworks and community celebrations. Papillion Days offers something for every age, making it a perfect kickoff to summer festival season.

Outdoor Concerts at the Oasis Featuring Chicago Invasion — Happening June 17
Enjoy an evening of classic Chicago hits performed live in Lauritzen Gardens’ recently opened, outdoor amphitheater. Set against the backdrop of the gardens, this concert combines live music with a beautiful outdoor setting for a memorable summer night.

Spring Movies at Falconwood: The Sandlot — Happening June 19
Grab a blanket and settle in for an outdoor screening of The Sandlot at Falconwood Park. Families can enjoy pre-show activities, food and drinks, and a nostalgic baseball classic under the stars.

BBQ & Brews Presented by Bloc Fitness — Happening June 20
Midtown Crossing serves up a day of barbecue, craft beer and friendly competition during this summer food festival. Sample offerings from local pitmasters and breweries while enjoying live entertainment and a festive outdoor atmosphere.

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!

NP Dodge Real Estate has welcomed new residential sales associates including Casey Wolfe and Rachel Hoefener.

Hoppe Development has added Jorge Sotolongo as development origination manager. Sotolongo previously worked in commercial real estate and is in his second term as a member of the Omaha Planning Board.

Omaha Mayor John Ewing has appointed Javier Saldaña Jr. as deputy chief of staff for economic development. Saldaña previously worked at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, where he headed up the strategic investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in north Omaha and South Omaha. While working for the state, he was actively involved in revitalization efforts along the North and South 24th Street corridors.

Bridges Trust has welcomed Rob Baldi as Chief Compliance Officer. He has a background in regulated financial environments and has worked in risk, security and operational oversight. He most recently served as corporate security officer for American National Bank.

Lutz, an Omaha-based business solutions firm, recently added Drew Guill as an audit director. He began his career in public accounting in 1999 and brings more than two decades of experience spanning public accounting and industry leadership. Guill earned a master’s degree in business administration from Bellevue University.

In Memoriam – Richard “Dick” Davidson, former chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Union Pacific Railroad, has died at the age of 84. He started his railroad career as a part-time brakeman to help pay for college. He became president and CEO of Union Pacific Railroad in 1991 and was named chairman and CEO of Union Pacific Corporation in 1997. During his tenure, Davidson oversaw the acquisitions of Chicago & North Western Railway and Southern Pacific Railroad.

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.

I recently attended a charity fund raiser. After signing in, I took my assigned seat, and soon afterwards, my table mate arrived. We exchanged the required pleasantries, and the conversation quickly turned to golf. He explained to me that he had taken dozens of expensive golf lessons with a local golf pro to improve his handicap, but had not been able to get into the single-digit range.

Then a fellow golfer suggested a free online video, and two months later, his handicap plummeted to 7. (For you non golfers, a handicap of 0 means your average score is par. A handicap of 15 means your average score is 15 strokes more than par).

The discussion then turned to turned to a topic closer to my wheel house: 401ks.

My table mate explained to me that he had a similar experience with his 401k. For several years, he felt his account was doing poorly. Then a co-worker told him about a red-hot mutual fund. He bought a bunch of it, and suddenly, his returns dramatically improved.

You will notice that in the case of his golf handicap; there was a great deal of specificity. He knew exactly what his handicapped was before and after the video. He had a precise number for his desired score. But as I quizzed him about his 401k’s performance, he failed to produce exact numbers, just vague generalities – and feelings. He had no clue as to how the market had performed for the past several years, or for that matter, what was an acceptable rate of return.

As the conversation continued, I became befuddled by the fact that a person in his position knew so much about his golf score and so little about the performance of his greatest financial asset. Having spent five decades of my life talking to people about their finances, I also know that this was not in a one-off situation.

The law requires that 401k participants manage their own account by selecting from a menu of mutual funds provided by their plan administrator. This means that the employer and the plan administrator and financial advisor together assume the role of a golf course groundskeeper. They have the ability to place the flagstick in the location of their choosing. They can play nice and place it in an easy sport. Or they can play hardball making reasonable results difficult to achieve.

The ability to shoot par in your 401k requires a respectful relationship between employees and employers. It’s a two-way street that requires constant and respectful communication. It is also one that requires a reasonable amount of continuing education. The financial world, and the 401k infrastructure in particular, is in a period of accelerated evolution.

The Trump administration has initiated regulations that will dramatically expand the types of assets available to 401k investors. This includes such exotic asset classes as crypto currency and private equity. At the same time, the major discount brokers are competing for the exploding number of 401k dollars with new products and programs that are more cost efficient.

Do you know as much about your 401k results as you do your golf score? Your 401k is the gift that keeps on giving. How much it gives, and how long it gives, is up to you.

Grow Omaha’s Wall Street section is now available for sponsorship. Nearly 25,000 people subscribe to this newsletter, and as a group, they are influential, affluent and highly educated. That makes this section particularly popular! For advertising information, contact Karla Steele, Sales Coordinator, at karla@growomaha.com

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.

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