The May 14th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

The Good Life Sports Bar & Grill plans to open at 1501 Mike Fahey Street in the Builders District. The North Downtown bar is currently under consideration for a liquor license. Interior build-out has started. Opening is anticipated to coincide with the College World Series. The 7,258 sq. ft. space is on the southeast corner of the building and will include a three-season, covered outdoor seating area. Good Life has five existing locations in Omaha, Papillion and Gretna.

Flower Child will open its first Nebraska location on June 30 at 120 Regency Parkway on the north side of Regency Shopping Center. The 3,969 sq. ft. restaurant will feature an open kitchen, patio and a custom lemon mural created exclusively for the Omaha location.

Bar Blaha has opened at 721 North 14th Street in the former Zipline Brewing space in North Downtown next to the Ruth Sokolof Theater. The “upscale-yet-approachable” bar has 24 taps, 12 of which feature rotating craft beers. Locally owned by Oliver Blaha, Bar Blaha features a modern-industrial setting and opens at 3 p.m. daily.

Shiki has opened in a corner space at 4900 Dodge Street previously occupied by Varsity Sports Café. The Dundee-area restaurant focuses on sashimi, nigiri and sushi-maki with small plates and hot Japanese entrees. Chef Tom Buder blends “elements of Japanese & American cuisine with Cajun, Korean, Thai, Italian, Peruvian and Indian influences complemented with a curated wine list and house-made cocktails.”

Tasty Pizza is now open for business at 3001 South 32nd Avenue, a building formerly occupied by The Mio. Before it was The Mio, the building was famously home to Lo Sole Mio for 30 years. Tasty Pizza’s current locations are at 1418 South 60th Street and downtown Blair.

Cold Stone Creamery will open a store at 15602 Whiting Circle on the southwest corner of 156th & State Street in Bennington. The national ice cream chain has several existing metro-area locations and more than 1,000 locations nationwide.

E.C. Barton & Company plans to open Nebraska’s first Home Outlet store this summer in Omaha. Located at 1902 North 90th Street, the discount building-supply retailer will sell flooring, cabinetry, plumbing, door and window products. The location is next to a Walgreens pharmacy southwest of 90th & Blondo Street. Based in Jonesboro, Ark., Home Outlet has 112 locations in 21 states.

Work has started inside the former Younker’s store at Westroads Mall. Dillard’s will relocate its Oak View Mall department store into the space when work is completed in the second half of 2027. Dillard’s is using its own in-house construction company – Arkansas-based CDI Contractors. Dillard’s will gut the space, add a 32,000 sq. ft., 2-story expansion and construct a new entrance. Once complete, the anchor store will total 207,800 sq. ft.

Paulete Home will open its first brick-and-mortar store around June 15 in the Blackstone District at 3737 Farnam Street, Suite 102. Interior build-out is underway. Paulette Home is currently an online store, offering furniture lighting, décor, art and rugs. The company has a “hybrid selling model,” in which part of the store inventory will be local consignment, while some will be full retail.

Fleet Feet will consolidate its Aksarben Village store at 6750 Mercy Road into its Legacy location at 17660 Wright Street on May 17. The locally owned running store opened in Lincoln in 2014 and expanded to Omaha in 2017. A final group run from the Aksarben store will be held on May 16 at 7 a.m.

Andra’s Pottery has opened in Bel Air Plaza at 12100 West Center Road, Suite 706. The studio offers classes in wheel throwing and hand building as well as workshops, team-building events and private parties. Monthly memberships are available for experienced potters. The business also sells pottery made in studio. Andra’s Pottery is designed to be accessible with wheelchair friendly spaces and ground-level access.

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

Recently Completed Downtown Attractions Draw Conventions & Visitors

By Kacie Ferrazzo

Downtown Omaha’s recent wave of major attractions and infrastructure investments is helping transform the city into a stronger tourism and convention destination.

From the Kiewit Luminarium and Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement to Steelhouse Omaha and the expanded Joslyn Art Museum, tourism officials say Omaha’s growing list of downtown attractions is attracting more visitors, helping secure future conventions and boosting the city’s national profile.

“We’ve seen steady tourism growth year over year,” said Jasmyn Goodwin, executive director of Visit Omaha, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. “All of the investments have really improved our visitor experience and enhanced our overall product.”

According to Visit Omaha, downtown visitation has steadily increased in recent years. In 2021, Omaha welcomed 2.6 million out-of-town visitors to the downtown area. By 2025, that number had grown to 2.8 million. Visit Omaha tracks visitation through Placer.ai, a data system that uses anonymous cell phone location data to estimate visitor activity.

For leisure travelers, Goodwin said Omaha’s newest attractions have become some of the city’s biggest marketing tools.

“When it comes to these downtown attractions, what’s new is a major selling point,” she said. “The Steelhouse, the Joslyn expansion, the Luminarium, that feeds into that audience and gives us more content for our commercials and promotions.”

Those same projects are also helping Omaha compete for conventions and large meetings years into the future. Meeting planners often schedule events five or six years in advance, meaning future development plays a major role in the bidding process.

“When we’re out selling to event organizers, they want to know what is in development,” Goodwin said. “Everyone wants the bright, shiny new thing.”

That includes the ongoing expansion at Eppley Airfield, which Visit Omaha began promoting almost immediately after it was announced. Meeting planners are already looking ahead to 2028, when the airport’s larger terminal and expanded capacity are expected to make travel to Omaha easier for convention attendees.

The planned Omaha Streetcar has also become a key selling point. Convention organizers increasingly prioritize walkability and transportation access when selecting host cities.

“Convention organizers want to know, is it going to be easy for folks to get around your downtown area?” Goodwin said. “How many restaurants are within walking distance?”

Omaha’s convention district benefits from its proximity to the Capitol District, North Downtown and the Old Market, with more than 90 restaurants and bars located near the convention center. Goodwin said that accessibility has become a major competitive advantage.

Another centerpiece in Omaha’s tourism strategy has been the renovated Gene Leahy Mall and downtown riverfront.

“Having this beautiful green space right in the middle of your downtown area is extremely attractive,” Goodwin said. “You have this outdoor escape right in the middle of skyscrapers.”

Visit Omaha frequently takes meeting planners on walking tours through the riverfront during familiarization visits designed to showcase the city. According to Goodwin, Omaha has roughly a 50 percent conversion rate when trying to secure convention business after planners visit in person.

“Once they see the city and experience it, we’re typically able to lock it down,” she said.

Many of the city’s newer attractions are also doubling as event venues. The Luminarium has emerged as a unique off-site convention space, appealing to both families and adults with interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences. The Joslyn’s renovated galleries and free admission have similarly become attractive features for convention groups and tourists alike.

“These new investments downtown enhance our product,” Goodwin said. “It’s added to our whole bidding process.”

Tourism numbers suggest the momentum may be continuing. Omaha recorded its strongest tourism year ever in 2024, according to Visit Omaha.

Hotel occupancy rates have remained strong even as national travel trends begin to level off following the post-pandemic tourism surge. During the first quarter of 2026, 54.2 percent of hotel rooms in Omaha were filled, compared to 51.7 percent during the same period in 2024.

Goodwin said those numbers are encouraging as Omaha continues expanding its convention infrastructure, including the planned expansion of the CHI Health Center Omaha. She added that another convention hotel downtown could help the city compete for even larger events in the future.

As Omaha’s skyline reshapes and additional attractions open across downtown, investments appear to be paying off. Not only does it create new experiences for residents, but it also positions the city as an increasingly competitive destination for tourists, conventions and major events.

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The Omaha Streetcar project continues to make both visible and behind-the-scenes progress. Mainline track installation started at the end of April, and there are already several segments in place. Behind the scenes, the streetcar authority is negotiating with Herzog Transit Services, Inc. to be the operations and maintenance contractor. The board anticipates reviewing and approving the contract at its June meeting.

Additionally, per the director’s report for this month’s board meeting, the authority is seeking clarification on the date of delivery of the streetcar vehicles. The authority outlined the current project timeline: the vehicle maintenance facility will be available by February 2027, full mainline track will be completed by May 5, 2028, and the start of operations will be September 1, 2028.

The Omaha Planning Board last week approved a special use permit for a dependent care facility on the southeast corner of 106th & Fort Street. The proposed facility, named Beyond Memory Care, will house up to 22 occupants in 20 units. The project is located on a 36,000 sq. ft. lot and will consist of a 14,000 sq. ft., 1-story building. The facility will boast a garden space, chapel and beauty salon.

The City of Bellevue is taking over the former Sarpy County Museum. The Sarpy County Historical Society announced the museum’s closure back in February. Since then, the City of Bellevue, which owns the building, developed plans to open a museum focused on Bellevue. The city council will consider public comments on an ordinance approving the creation of the museum and appointment of a museum board at next week’s meeting.

The City of Bellevue plans to sell a 6.7-acre lot just north of its Bellevue Bay indoor waterpark to a hotel developer. According to an ordinance under consideration by the city council, the city would sell the lot to Wonder Lodging, LLC. The city anticipates the hotel would have a skywalk connecting it to the waterpark. The city is building the water park, but it will be branded as one of the first Mattel Wonder Indoor Water Parks with exclusive Mattel-themed rides and attractions.

Sarpy County is starting construction on the long-anticipated South Sarpy Expressway this week, according to KETV. The long-term vision is for the expressway to connect Interstate 80 to the Kennedy Freeway along the Platteview Road corridor. A half-mile segment of Dyson Hollow Road, from Platteview Road to Miller Road, will close permanently to accommodate the expressway’s interchange and ramps.

The Community Transportation Association of America held its 2026 expo at CHI Health Center Omaha this week, drawing 900 attendees, 90 percent of whom came from outside the metro area. According to Visit Omaha, the conference generated 2,500 hotel room nights.

Sentinel Property Group has converted the Cornerstone Lofts apartment building at 1105 Harney Street into a condominium building now known as Cornerstone The Residences. It’s the first major condo project in downtown Omaha since the Great Recession nearly 20 years ago. Read our full story HERE.

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Soaring Wings Vineyard at 17111 South 138th Street in Springfield has been listed for sale by Bryan Hartmann of NAI NP Dodge. Owner Pat Ackerman told WOWT he is unsure whether the winery and event venue will open this season due to weather and other business challenges. Customers with gift cards can request refunds through the winery.

Scoular has been selected as a 2026 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies. Scoular also earned the distinction of Gold Honoree — companies that have been recognized as a Best Managed Company for four to six years.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share. This dividend will be paid on July 22, 2026, to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 6, 2026.

Allegiant will begin seasonal nonstop flights from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield to Gulf Shores, Ala., starting next week – Thursday, May 21. Allegiant will fly the route two times per week. Allegiant already offers nonstop flights between Omaha and Destin, Fla.; Las Vegas; Orlando (Sanford); Mesa, Ariz.; Punta Gorda, Fla.; Sarasota, Fla.; and St. Petersburg, Fla.

Nebcon, Inc., a local underground utility contractor that serves multiple Midwestern states, has purchased a 5,925 sq. ft. industrial property at 9370 North 45th Street, according to John Meyer and Trenton Magid of NAI NP Dodge, who represented the buyer in the $1.25 million transaction. The seller was Mid America First Call, Inc.

In his recent Business Insider article, correspondent Theron Mohamed shares his impressions of Omaha after traveling 4,400 miles from London to attend the 2026 Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting. In addition to the meeting – his fourth Berkshire “pilgrimage” – Mohamed visited Nebraska Furniture Mart, a Charlie Munger mural downtown, the Gene Leahy Mall and even Warren Buffett’s Dundee-area house. See the article HERE.

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The NonProfit Times has named Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in 2026. The Omaha chapter of the organization placed #7 out of 50 top organizations nationwide while employing 44 individuals.

The Bellevue Food Pantry last Friday broke ground on its facility in the former Bellevue Public Library at 1003 Lincoln Road. The future location is 20 times the size of the 1,000 sq. ft. space Bellevue Food Pantry has occupied for more than 15 years. After renovations, the new space will include a 3,000 sq. ft. pantry, walk-in coolers and freezers, community meeting areas and a community garden. The facility is expected to open this December.

The American Heart Association is hosting the 2026 Greater Omaha Heart & Stroke Walk this Saturday at Gene Leahy Mall. So far, the event has raised more than $250,000 which will go toward research and CPR training efforts.

Generation Diamond, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults aged 19 and older overcome barriers to stability, safety and self‐sufficiency, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week. Home to Omaha’s only free Tattoo Removal Program, the organization also announced that Founder Blanca Mejia will be stepping down as executive director, and Marina Rosado will take on the role.

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How Current Mortgage Rates Are Affecting Buyers & Sellers

Let me begin by saying, I’m not a mortgage expert. But I get questions all the time – What are rates going to do? As I write this, rates are around 6.5 percent, which is still a great rate environment if you were to go out and buy a home today.

It’s always the question of, should I try to time the market? It’s never about timing the market. It’s always about time in the market. Because over time buying a home will be a great investment.

Looking ahead, rates might bounce around the low sixes – not jumping up, not shooting down into the fives. I get it; one of the things that people are very, very concerned with right now, are rates. In fact, a recent stat from Credit Karma shows 78 percent of Americans report that they do not feel financially secure. The top culprit is the cost of living (47%), followed by the current state of the economy (42%). US News said mortgage rates aren’t expected to change much over the next several quarters. This has implications for prospective home buyers and sellers.

So, let’s switch over to how this affects sellers. According to a recent survey from Realtor.com, “Despite the economic headwinds whipped up by the ongoing Iran conflict and cooling consumer sentiment, most home sellers are brimming with optimism this spring and expect their properties to fetch top dollar.”

But this is where I insert my precautionary statement: no matter what market we are in, it’s always a price war and a beauty contest. By this I mean, your property needs to be in show-ready condition and priced right, or it’s likely going to linger on the market. Pricing it right up front, realizing the reality of today’s market is ultimately going to get it to sell faster and for a better deal.

Properties that sit on the market and go through multiple price cuts can develop a sense of staleness. Today’s buyers are not only aware of that, they’re actively tracking it in real time.

Do you have a real estate question? Let’s talk.

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Cole Young, Contributing Writer

Creighton (28-22, 12-6) closes the regular season with a three-game road series at Xavier beginning Thursday. That game will be played at Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds, and will begin at approximately 4 p.m., with the Reds game against the Washington Nationals beginning at 11:40 a.m.

The Bluejays currently sit at fourth place in Big East Standings at 12-6 in conference play, and are behind UConn, St. John’s and Xavier, each of which are 13-5. The Big East Baseball Championship will be held Wednesday, May 20 through Saturday, May 23, and will feature the top four teams in the Big East for a double-elimination tournament.

The Omaha Supernovas season came to a close on Sunday in the Major League Volleyball championship match, where they were defeated by the Dallas Pulse in a five-set thriller. Merritt Beason provided one of the best performances of her professional career, leading Omaha with 20 points on 14 kills and a franchise playoff single-match record with five blocks.

This is Omaha’s second appearance in the ‘Match For A Million’, Major League Volleyball’s championship match, in three seasons, despite the tumultuous events of the past few months. The Supernovas overcame injuries to two middle blockers, and a coaching change in early April, to come up just six points short of claiming their second title in three seasons. Thomas Robson, who was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season after the club parted ways with Luka Slabe, will resume his role as assistant coach as the team begins its search for its next head coach.

Union Omaha announced last Friday the hiring of Nick Hall as president and Chief Revenue Officer, beginning Monday, May 18. Hall will arrive with more than 16 years of front-office leadership experience across professional soccer and Minor League Baseball. He has also led multiple stadium openings throughout his previous stops. The move completes a key addition to the front office as Union Omaha prepares for its new stadium in downtown Omaha.

The Owls played Portland Hearts of Pine to a draw on Saturday before traveling to One Knoxville SC, where Diego Gutierrez (19’) and Sergio Ors (84’) each scored to lead Omaha to a 2-1 win, bringing them to 5-2-1 on the season. Omaha will return to Morrison Stadium on Sunday to host Louisville City FC.

Omaha softball was held to one hit in the Summit League Softball Championship final on Saturday, where it was defeated by fourth-seeded South Dakota, 2-1. Omaha needed two wins against the Coyotes on Saturday to earn its fourth-straight tournament title, and forced the winner-take-all game after a 10-1 run-rule victory in six innings in the first game. The Mavericks got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Bailey Sample scored on an error, but South Dakota promptly answered with two runs in the second, and no runs were scored for the remainder of the game.

The field for the 2026 NCAA Division I Softball Championship was announced on Sunday, and South Dakota claimed the Summit League’s automatic bid as league champion. Omaha was not selected for an at-large bid and finishes the season at 37-12 overall and 15-2 in the Summit League.

Creighton softball’s search for its first Big East Tournament title in program history was thwarted by UConn on Saturday, as the Bluejays fell 8-3 in the title game. Creighton defeated UConn earlier in the day to force the winner-take-all game, but ran out of gas in that matchup, coming up one game short of earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament bid since 2010. UConn secured the Big East’s automatic bid, and sole bid in the NCAA Tournament, when the field was announced on Sunday. Creighton finishes the 2026 season with a 32-27 overall record and 17-7 mark in conference play.

Omaha baseball will close out the regular season this weekend as it hosts South Dakota State for a four-game series from May 13-16. First pitch for all four games is scheduled for 6 p.m. Following the finale, Omaha (18-23, 13-10), who is currently in second place in Summit League standings, will prepare for the 2026 Summit League Baseball Championship held Wednesday, May 20 through Saturday, May 23.

Minor League Baseball has announced the Pitcher and Player of the Week honors for each of the respective Player Development Leagues, and Omaha Storm Chasers pitcher Aaron Sanchez was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for his performance the week of May 4 to 10. Sanchez threw 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out eight in his start in Game One of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Indianapolis Indians.

Omaha is back at Werner Park for a series against the Toledo Mud Hens that is currently tied, 1-1. First pitch for tonight’s game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and it will be $3 Thursday, where fans can get Busch Light and select tickets and concessions for just $3 each.

Creighton volleyball announced its full 2026 schedule on Wednesday, which features 15 matches against teams that played in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Bluejays will open its 2026 regular season with three matches in Sioux Falls, S.D., at the 2026 State Farm Women’s Volleyball Showcase. That five-match showcase will be played August 28-30 at the Sanford Pentagon, and will feature nationally televised contests across FOX and FS1. Creighton will play three straight matches against Big Ten opponents in the showcase, facing Purdue on Friday, Minnesota on Saturday and USC on Sunday.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha baseball vs. South Dakota State | May 13 – 16 | 6 p.m. Thursday
• Creighton baseball at Xavier | May 14 – 16 | 4 p.m. Thursday
• Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Toledo | May 12 – 17 | 6:35 p.m. Thursday
• Union Omaha vs. Louisville City FC | Sunday, May 17 | 5 p.m.

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The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center

By Patrick Wyman

There’s nothing like the Rose Theater in Omaha. It catches your eye every time you make the drive along Farnam Street downtown.

The ornate structure at 2001 Farnam Street was built by A. H. Blank, a Romanian immigrant who settled in Council Bluffs before making his way to Omaha. It was the man who worked as a carnival barker at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in 1898 before becoming a balloon and novelty salesman who built one of the city’s most extraordinary buildings.

Blank founded the Central States Theater Corporation, through which he owned and operated several theaters across the Midwest. He hired John Eberson, a prolific designer of theaters across the country, to design the Riviera with its unique combination of Moorish and Italian Renaissance architecture.

The interior matched the grandeur of its facade with tapestries, oriental rugs, friezes, intricate mosaic tile flooring, fountains and Mediterranean-style murals. Inside, perfect acoustics and sweeping balconies complemented a ceiling fitted with electric stars and clouds. The theater’s 2,776 seats also supported a full orchestra for song and dance acts, vaudeville skits and feature films.

The theater opened its doors in 1927, but its founder’s dreams came to a screeching halt with the stock market crash of 1929, just two years after it opened. Blank was forced to sell, at which point it was renamed the Paramount Theater. In an effort to attract new customers, the new owners went so far as to install a miniature golf course in the main lobby. It didn’t go as planned, as the theater opened and closed seven times from 1937 to 1952.

Creighton University had already owned the land when it purchased the building in 1960. The school first considered using it as its own performing arts center before finding it unsuitable for its needs. Instead, the old theater became home to the Omaha Packers professional bowling team in 1961. It was at that point that they ripped out some of the seats and installed four bowling lanes. The Packers folded two months into their first season while the National Bowling League went belly up the following year.

Blank’s old theater found new life in 1962 after Creighton leased it to Dubinsky Brothers Theaters. In the process of remodeling, they removed much of the lavish decor. Its new name, Astro Theater, was in honor of astronaut John Glenn’s orbit of the Earth that same year. The renovated theater had 1,500 seats, much fewer than the 2,776 it had when it first opened. This iteration of the theater remained open until 1979.

By that time, Creighton was desperate to get rid of the building, which was expensive to maintain. When the Federal Reserve Bank expressed interest in tearing it down and replacing it with a new building, there was a public outcry to save it. Enter Rose Blumkin, who often admired the building as she drove past it on her way to Nebraska Furniture Mart, which she founded decades earlier.

Blumkin had a strong attachment to the building where her five-year-old daughter, Frances, won a $5 gold piece for singing and dancing to the song “Am I Blue” in a talent show during the Great Depression. Upon hearing of its imminent destruction in 1981, Blumkin told one of her daughters to “go buy it” no matter the cost, likely saving it from the wrecking ball. The Federal Reserve opted to build next door where the old Nebraska Furniture Mart store used to sit.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and named an Omaha Landmark in 1980, it wasn’t until 1993 that the Blumkin family donated the building to the Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater. The family also contributed the first $1M toward its renovation under the condition that the theater secure the remaining funds for a full restoration and an endowment for maintenance and repairs. Susie Buffett, daughter of Warren Buffett, led the fundraising campaign as president of the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center Foundation to complete a full renovation of the building.

The children’s theater had been in existence since 1949 and performed in area high schools over its first 25 years. By the mid-1970s, they found a permanent home at the former Center Theater at 3504 Center Street. The intent of the restoration was to keep the theater consistent with architect John Eberson’s original vision. The renovation did just that in addition to adding classrooms, administrative space and bringing it up to code.

The restoration of its majestic ceiling with its clouds and twinkling stars would have to wait until 2007, when the Ahmanson Foundation donated the money to re-add those elements. The Omaha gift stands out, as the foundation established by Central High School alum Howard Ahmanson Sr. typically directs its philanthropy toward the Los Angeles area, including the famous Ahmanson Theatre.

In honor of Blumkin’s generosity, the theater was renamed the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center when it reopened in 1995. More commonly referred to as the Rose Theater, it continues to serve as the home to the children’s theater and is considered one of the best in the country. Its professional actors take the stage for audiences under the age of 13. In addition to its wide variety of shows, the Omaha Theater Company also offers classes, camps and workshops.

It was the vision of A. H. Blank that gave the city one of its most extraordinary buildings. It is because of Rose Blumkin and Susie Buffett that it still stands as a place for children to appreciate live theater beneath the stars.

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Cinco de Mayo Omaha returns this weekend May 15 through May 17 on historic South 24th Street between L to O streets. Presented by Casa de la Cultura, in partnership with Supermercado Nuestra Familia, this festival is recognized as Nebraska’s No. 1 cultural attraction and recipient of the prestigious Henry Fonda Tourism Award.

Celebrating 106 years of Mexican festivals, Cinco de Mayo Omaha brings together more than 100,000 attendees from across six states for an unforgettable weekend of culture, community and entertainment. Highlights include the Sweet 98.5 and Woodmen parade on Saturday, CHI Health fair, grand marshalls, a mariachi mass, live concerts and several authentic food vendors and exhibitors.

The Durham Museum is opening its summer exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume on May 23. Kick off the Memorial Day weekend with a grand look at nearly 70 costumes worn on film from decades of Disney movies, from iconic characters such as Maleficent, Captain Jack Sparrow, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Cinderella and more. Additional programs include Disney Trivia on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., special tours, lectures and movie screenings on select Sundays to enhance the Disney Magic experience.

KVNO Classical Radio and The Omaha Symphony will present Symphonic Connections Live: An Evening with Ernest Richardson on Thursday, May 21, at the Strauss Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. The event will feature a live taping of KVNO’s Symphonic Connections program, blending classical performance with audience discussion and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Conductor Ernest Richardson will lead the symphony through selections inspired by listener questions, including works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonio Vivaldi, Maurice Ravel and more. Designed for seasoned listeners and newcomers alike, the evening blends performance and storytelling in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Guests are encouraged to arrive when doors open at 6:00 p.m. to enjoy conversation, coffee and the company of fellow classical music enthusiasts. Following the program, attendees are invited to stay for a reception, offering the opportunity to meet Ernest Richardson, Omaha Symphony musicians and KVNO on-air hosts. Purchase tickets here.

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts will open two summer exhibitions on June 5, exploring themes of memory, care and personal connection to landscape:

Miatta Kawinzi: An Alphabet of Unfolding highlights the Kenyan-Liberian-American artist’s multidisciplinary work spanning sculpture, installation, sound, video and text. Kawinzi’s exhibition marks a return to Omaha, having been a Bemis Center artist-in-residence in 2016 and later the first recipient of the organization’s Ree Kaneko Award in 2019. The exhibition draws from themes of migration, labor, language and ecological connection through a site-responsive installation across two galleries.

MOTHER TIME: Measuring ourselves within the landscape features photography and image-based works by Rachel Cox and Rose Marie Cromwell. It is centered on motherhood, intimacy and the emotional relationship between people and place. Cox turns her lens toward the tenderness and vulnerability found within familial and personal relationships, while Cromwell weaves together personal and political narratives. Together, they create a layered meditation on intimacy and perception.

Both exhibitions will run through September 13. Admission to all programs and tours is free; ticket reservations are encouraged.

The Old Market Association [OMA] will host COLLECTIVE ’26: The Arts at KANEKO at 1111 Jones Street Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m.. The reimagined annual fundraiser will celebrate the artists, creatives and community leaders who helped shape the Old Market into one of Omaha’s cultural centers. This year’s event honors the legacy of artists Ree and Jun Kaneko, whose influence helped define the district’s collaborative and artistic spirit.

Guests can expect an evening inside KANEKO’s galleries featuring dinner from FIG chef Tyler Johnson, desserts by CENTI owner Erik Landa, live music from BROADWAY BAR led by Curtis Reynolds and a curated auction highlighting local and Old Market experiences. Proceeds from the event will support the Old Market Association’s ongoing efforts to connect and promote the district. The event’s attire theme is “Summer Creative,” encouraging colorful and expressive styles. Visit here for information.

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LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

The Gallup World Poll showed a somewhat surprising result. Public confidence in institutions appears to be making a comeback. Median confidence in the military, courts, elections and banks is higher today than it was 20 years ago, while confidence in national governments is similar to its level from two decades ago.

Tech journalist Joanna Stern’s just-released book, I Am Not a Robot, details how she handed over numerous daily tasks and decisions to AI for one year. According to The Hustle, Stern said she couldn’t permanently replace everything with AI, but did find it a useful swap for traditional online search engines, only returning to Google for maps and business contact info.

U.S. Labor Department figures showed that consumer prices increased 3.8 percent in April from a year earlier, according to the Wall Street Journal. It was the highest increase in three years. The culprit? Gas prices.

America is apparently experiencing a “fun drought.” A state-by-state poll of 5,000 U.S. adults found 48 percent of the nation feels like their overall life is currently lacking in fun, according to Talker Research. Twelve percent can’t even remember the last time they had a full free day to have fun and half wish they could do something fun daily or at least a few times per week.

SALES

Let’s say you’re selling something that requires you to interact with a company’s most senior decision makers, the people who operate in the rarefied air we know as “the c-suite.” Let’s further assume, you already have a valuable contact at that company, who is important, but a few rungs down the ladder from the c-suiters.

According to sales expert Jeb Blount, the biggest mistake sales professionals make when they want to move up the chain is treating their current contact as an obstacle to get around. That mindset will get you in trouble every single time.

The person you are dealing with at the mid-level has their own concerns. They do not want to look bad in front of their boss. They do not want their vendor going rogue and wasting executive time, which reflects on them. And in some cases, they want to protect their own sphere of influence.

When you position the C-suite conversation correctly, your existing contact becomes your entry point, not your competition, Blount says. You sit down with them and say something like: “We are doing an educational initiative to help our clients understand what is coming with AI in your industry. We want to make sure every level of your organization, including your leadership team, has the insights they need. Can you help me figure out where to start?”

WISDOM

“We are born alone. We live alone. We die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for a moment that we are not alone.” – Orson Welles

Did you know CHI Health Center Omaha is adding a 90,000 sq. ft., 2-level addition to the east side of the building? The addition will bring the facility’s total convention space to 420,000 sq. ft. and increase the number of meeting rooms from 16 to 41. This is already helping Visit Omaha attract more and bigger conventions to Omaha.

Did you know that 40 percent of University of Nebraska at Omaha graduates are the first in their family to receive a college degree?

Did you know the Omaha Symphony reaches 225,000 people per year through more than 150 performances?

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Leashes at Lauritzen — Happening Mondays in May
Bring your dog for an evening garden stroll at Lauritzen Gardens during this Monday night series. Dogs can walk the trails, meet other pups and enjoy the garden alongside their humans, with water stations available throughout the grounds.

Ciao Bambini! — Happening May 16
Omaha Children’s Museum opens its newest cultural exhibit, inviting kids and families to explore the art, history and everyday life of Italy. The immersive exhibit compares the lives of children in Italy with visitors’ own experiences through hands-on learning and play.

Gimme Gimme Disco — Happening May 15
Gimme Gimme Disco brings an ABBA-inspired dance party to The Admiral Theater, with a DJ spinning favorite ABBA anthems plus disco classics from the ’70s and ’80s. Expect a glittery, high-energy night built for dancing, singing and disco attire.

Little Bohemia Spring Market — Happening May 16
Explore Little Bohemia during this free spring market featuring food and drink trucks, pop-ups, artists, makers, vintage vendors and shopping throughout the neighborhood. The event is family-friendly, dog-friendly and designed for wandering through the district’s shops, sidewalks, backyards and alley spaces. (eventvesta.com)

May’s Monthly High Tea @ Le Voltaire — Happening May 17
Le Voltaire hosts an elegant afternoon tea featuring a curated three-tier menu from High Tea Omaha. Guests can enjoy savory bites, scones, sweets and a classic tea experience with limited seats available.

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!

The Omaha Press Club last night honored two Creighton University coaches together as the 186th Face on the Barroom Floor. Kirsten Bernthal Booth was head coach of Creighton’s volleyball squad from 2003 to 2024. Jim Flanery has served as head women’s basketball coach since 2002. Booth is currently president of business operations for LOVB Nebraska, part of League One Volleyball. The Omaha Press Club chose to recognize the coaches for leading their sports to national prominence.

Metropolitan Community College has named Nina Sodji, award‑winning chef, entrepreneur and community leader, as its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. A graduate of the MCC Culinary Arts program and the owner and head chef of Okra African Grill, recognized Sodji for “her outstanding professional achievements, deep commitment to community service and continued engagement with MCC.”

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.

When a Texan refers to somebody as a “big hat, but no cattle,” that’s cowboy talk for a guy who talks a big game, but when it comes time to deliver, disappears. Enter stage right, Donald J Trump. Last week The Donald signed an executive order designed to increase the ability of America’s workers to put away money for their golden years. Trump’s executive order directs the Treasury Department to establish a website called Trump IRA.gov. that would market low-cost IRA accounts from private financial institutions to low-wage workers lacking access to a 401k.

I’m going to put on my fake news hat and speculate that the motive behind Trump’s executive order is to suck up to his Wall Street cronies. The amount of money in the nation’s self-directed retirement accounts has exploded to the point that that financial advisors break into a cold sweat just thinking about it. The current value of America’s self-directed retirement accounts is north of $35 trillion. That’s a number seven times the larger than the federal budget and 45 percent bigger than the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

All of this begs the question – Do low-wage workers want a retirement plan? This reminds me of the story of the little old lady standing on a street corner. A Boy Scout comes along, grabs her by the arm and helps her across the street. Then the little old lady takes her cane and beats the crap out of the Boy Scout.

The scout screams, “What was that all about?” The little old lady responds, “I didn’t want to cross the street.”

Currently, 83 percent of full-time workers have access to a 401k, but participation by low-income workers has been declining over the years, and in 2025, dropped more than 10 percent.

But this story is about more than just low-wage workers who could care less about saving for retirement. I don’t have a crystal ball, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Trump’s flailing about in the 401k infrastructure has ramifications for the entire programs’ future, and it’s in the best interest for those with the most skin in the game to sleep with one eye open.

The good news is that it stresses lowest-cost options, both in terms of the investment options and the fees to run the program. I don’t mean to speak for the entire discount brokerage industry, but it does increase deposits, which increases cash balances, which is where the discount brokerage firms make their money.

The bad news is that this program would provide less incentive for employers to go to the expense and effort to provide a 401k for their employees.

For more on this issue, visit my podcast. 401k Investing for Newbies and Nerds on Apple Podcasts and iHeart.

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

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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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