Weekly Market Report – February 9, 2023

Goose 120 has opened for business at 12051 Blondo Street in the former Rivera’s space. Goose 120 is an Italian restaurant with the same ownership as Taxi’s Grille & Bar, Stokes and Stokin’ Goat.

The Fat Putter plans to open soon in the first-floor, corner space of a 6-story mixed-use building on the southeast corner of 10th & Capitol Avenue. The indoor mini golf business is part of locally owned LetsGoPut.com, which also operates Prehistoric Putt at 111th & Q Street and Medieval Putt at 209th & Cumberland Drive, plus additional locations in Lincoln and Kansas City.

The former Westwood Plaza Cinemas 8 movie theatre will likely become an indoor climbing gym. The 24,335 sq. ft. space is located at 2809 South 125th Avenue. The planned renovation still needs Omaha City Council approval.

Cup and Cone has opened at 15420 South Second Street downtown Bennington. The locally owned shop serves coffees, teas, smoothies; Italian sodas, hot chocolate – and as the name would indicate – ice cream.

Scooter’s Coffee will hold a ribbon cutting tomorrow – Friday, February 10th – at 11 a.m. for its new Regency Landing location at 107th & Pacific street.

Russell Speeder’s Car Wash will hold a ribbon cutting March 1st at 2 p.m. for its location at 4730 Hamilton Street.

The “Restaurant & Retail Updates” section is sponsored by Anderson Convenience Market, featuring Quality AMOCO Fuels and serving Omaha since 1952, and proud to announce the return of Quality Amoco Fuels. Look for changes this Summer at Anderson Convenience Market – 8 Omaha area locations!

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

Another Blockbuster Exhibit Coming to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has announced a $21 million overhaul of its Hubbard Orangutan Forest. It’s the latest blockbuster attraction at the zoo, which consistently ranks among the world’s best.

Orangutans are a great ape species native to rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia. The primates are now only found in the wild in Borneo and Sumatra. They are critically endangered because of habitat loss and deforestation.

The zoo currently has four orangutans, but the new habitat’s larger size would allow the zoo to add more in the future.

Orangutans have lived at the Omaha zoo since the 1960s. The current Hubbard Orangutan Forest building opened in 2005. It has been closed since the pandemic started in 2020. Renovations actually began this past September. Opening is scheduled for May of 2024.

The new attraction will be an immersive exhibit. Guests will enter the building, architecturally inspired by southeast Asia, and take an elevator down into the apes’ world, so to speak. The habitat will connect guests with the daily lives of orangutans in a display that mimics their natural surroundings. Guests will feel like they entered a tropical environment.

A curved acrylic wall will let guests stand eye-to-eye with orangutans. Educational elements will be displayed inside the attraction, teaching guests about the care orangutans receive and about the biodiversity of southeast Asia.

The new exhibit is being funded privately. The zoo has raised more than $20 million so far, with a lead donation from Ted and Colleen Hubbard. Two other attractions at the Omaha zoo are named for the Hubbard family.

This section is sponsored by RENZE. For over 128 years, we have been providing our clients with innovative solutions for interior corporate and retail branding, as well as unique exhibits and graphics for tradeshows and events. With leading-edge equipment and quality craftspeople working out of our 90,000 sq. ft. facility, we partner with you to help create your vision. See a wide variety of our work HERE!

The Omaha Planning Board last week approved a rezoning request for a 3.317-acre lot southwest corner of 120th & Fort Street. The project is part of Roanoke Business Park and developed by the owners of Mulhall’s nursery. Plans call for a hotel and retail space, including a 14,000 sq. ft. restaurant/sports bar with indoor and outdoor pickleball courts.

While the name of the restaurant/pickleball operator has not yet been announced, it is believed to be Chicken N Pickle, a Kansas City-based, regional chain of indoor/outdoor entertainment centers with locations in Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Dallas, San Antonio and Wichita, Kan.

All five of Omaha’s living mayors – Jean Stothert, Jim Suttle, Mike Fahey, Hal Daub and P.J. Morgan – co-authored a recent op-ed piece in the Omaha World-Herald, arguing that the downtown-midtown streetcar is a critically important investment. “This streetcar plan cracks the code: It is designed to literally pay for itself,” the five mayors said. “The plan requires no city-wide tax rate increase, but instead generates funding to pay off the necessary infrastructure bonds through tax increment financing.”

Flatland Church is in the process of developing nine acres at 17515 Pacific Street into Flatland Life Center, which will include a community counseling center, space for a center for adults with special needs, a coffee shop, daycare and public park area.

inCommon, a local non-profit, plans to build a 5-story, multi-family building for low and middle-income families on a vacant lot at Park Avenue & Poppleton Avenue, according to WOWT. The $25 million project would have 100 apartments and will only accept tenants who make less than 100 percent of the area’s median income. Completion is scheduled for 2025.

Grow Omaha Snippets are brought to you by Omaha Car Care with four metro area locations – 131st & Dodge, 58th & Center, 85th & L and 144th & Harrison.

Omaha Car Care “We’ll be along for the ride.”

Union Pacific Railroad has again been named to Fortune magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies and is the highest ranked railroad in the Trucking, Transportation and Logistics category. It is the 17th time in 21 years that Omaha-based Union Pacific has been named to the magazine’s list.

AMCON Distributing Company, an Omaha-based convenience distributor has closed on its previously announced acquisition of Henry’s Foods, Inc. of Alexandria, Minnesota.

Speaking of AMCON, the company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per common share. This cash dividend is payable on February 16, 2023 to shareholders of record as of February 3, 2023.

Werner Enterprises has reported results for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Omaha-based Fortune 1000 company had total revenues of $3.29 billion, up 20%. Operating income was $323.1 million, up 5%.

Green Plains Inc. announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022. Net loss attributable to the company was $38.6 million, or $(0.66) per basic and diluted share for the fourth quarter compared to net loss attributable to the company of $9.6 million, or $(0.18) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2021. Revenues for the quarter were $914.0 million compared with $802.3 million for the same period in the prior year. EBITDA was $5.7 million for the quarter compared to $30.3 million for the same period in 2021.

Valmont Industries, Inc. will host its fourth quarter and full year 2022 earnings conference call on Thursday, February 23, 2023, beginning at 8:00 a.m. CST.

A diverse group of forward-thinking farmers is collaborating with Omaha-based Scoular to identify solutions to emerging farm management challenges and to influence the company’s future producer strategies.

The group – called the Farm Advisory Roundtable Members, or FARM – consists of 15 producers from across the Scoular origination network. The producers will meet twice a year and partner with company leaders to capture opportunities within the evolving agricultural supply chain. Scoular selected producers who are innovative, influential thinkers within their local farming communities and beyond.

This section is sponsored by FranNet of The Heartland, the local, trusted franchise experts. They are “in the business of helping you get into business!”

Number of Omaha Homes for Sale Up from Last Year

By Joe Finlay

The biggest challenge in the housing market right now, and likely for years to come, is how few homes there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy. That’s why, if you’re thinking about selling your house, this is a great time to do so. Your house would be welcome in a market that has fewer homes for sale than it did in the years leading up to the pandemic.

In Douglas and Sarpy counties, there were 66 percent more homes for sale in January 2023 compared to the same time in 2022 and 2021. This means that there were 379 more single family homes available to buy this past month compared to one year ago. While the number of homes for sale is increasing, it is still 28 percent lower than it was before the pandemic in 2018 and 2019.

What does this mean for you?

Fewer homes for sale, means buyers have fewer choices than they did prior to the pandemic – and that frustration is leading some to give up on the home-buying process altogether. But with mortgage rates sitting lower than they were at the peak last fall, more buyers are willing to come back into the process – they just need homes to buy. This is welcome activity for the spring market, especially if you’re thinking of selling your house.

The New York Times reports: “Home buyers are edging back into the market after being sidelined last year…”

So, if you want to take advantage of a sweet spot in the market, this spring could be your chance.

Bottom Line

The housing market needs more homes for sale to meet the demand of today’s buyers. If you’ve thought about selling, let’s connect and get you ready to make a move this spring.

Grow Omaha Residential is developed and sponsored by Joe Finlay, REALTOR with NP Dodge Real Estate.

Compiled by Grow Omaha co-founJeff Bealsder and sales trainer 

For this week’s Grow Omaha University, we are running a guest column written by Brandon Bornancin, author of the brand-new book, Ultimate Guide to Breaking Into Tech Sales and Founder/CEO of Seamless.AI. Even if you have no interest in tech, and are not looking for a job, you’ll get a lot of value out of this. Enjoy!

By Brandon Bornancin

The vast majority of the most successful people in the world are salespeople, have a background in sales, or they spent a significant amount of their time mastering sales.

Don’t believe me? Check this out. There are 3,311 billionaires and over 62 million millionaires. Only 10% of the 3,311 billionaires inherited their money from their families. The rest are ultra-successful salespeople and entrepreneurs who had to sell something to someone every day to grow their business. These billionaires and millionaires are selling their products, their company, their vision, and their ideas to someone else all the time.

Selling never ends for the ultra-wealthy and successful. Why is this the case? Why are there so many millionaires and billionaires who are salespeople?

It’s because sales is the only job where you can go from broke to financially free the fastest, and do it with little to no professional education or experience. I sincerely believe that sales is the best career in the world for this reason alone! This is a career where you can become great at serving others, helping others, and selling others. And by perfecting this craft, you help people get everything they want in life and in turn, you get everything you want in this life.

Everything in Life Is a Sale

Whether you want to believe it or not, everything in life is a sale. And the quicker you master this secret to success, the quicker you will get everything you want in business and in life. If you are great at sales, you will get your way and close the sale. But if you are bad at sales, other people will get their way and close you on the sale.

Everything in life is a sale, and sales isn’t just an exchange of money. Sales can be an exchange of ideas, solutions, agreements, or decisions. Some of the greatest sales I’ve ever made had nothing to do with money and everything to do with sharing my point of view with someone and persuading them to agree with me. One of the main reasons why people try but often fail in tech sales is because they don’t get sold on why sales is the greatest job in the world, and they never truly grasp the core fundamentals that everything in life is a sale.

Here are some examples of different kinds of sales that are happening 24/7 to everyone around the world, regardless of your professional or personal experience. Even though these are everyday situations, your ability to sell always determines your level of success or failure in these scenarios.

Getting a Raise

No one is going to give you a raise or a promotion just because you want one. To get a raise, you need to sell the employer on why they should increase their budget and investment in you. I’ve hired thousands of people, and whenever an employee asks for a raise, I ask myself, “Are the results and impact far greater than what we are investing in them?”

Your goal is to sell the employer on the results you’ve delivered in the past and the big impact your future actions will deliver. If you sell the manager on the value you provide, you get the raise. If not, you stay stuck at the same salary rate.

Getting Someone to Agree With You

Let’s say you’re debating with someone, and you’re trying to convince them to not only admit they are wrong, but to also take your side. To make this happen, you need exceptional selling skills. You have to persuade them to be open-minded, and then you have to present the evidence that closes them to agree with you. Getting anyone to take your side about anything is a sale.

Getting a New Job

To get a new job, you have to sell yourself to the employer on all the value you can bring to the table if you joined the company. You have to sell them through your resume, through your interview answers, through your appearance, and through your confidence. The company is then going to evaluate and weigh the potential impact you can make. As an employer, I almost always hire the person who sells me and convinces me that they’re the perfect candidate for the job. They could just be starting in their field, but if they sell me on their work ethic and the returns they can deliver, I will pick them every day over someone with tons of experience but no sales skills.

Sales Is Necessary for Success

If you thought only salespeople have mastered selling, you totally thought wrong. Sales is a life skill that all of the most successful people in the world have mastered.

Look at anyone in this world who’s a top performer in their industry, and you will see a common trend: They’re experts at selling others on their ideas, thoughts, vision, opinions, and mission. They sold others on their ideas and closed sales with people to support them to make their dreams a reality.

All the success in the world exists because someone was good at sales and able to get others to support their ideas. The ability to sell others and get them to believe in you is one of the top secrets to success.

When you know how to sell to get what you want in life, this is when you can truly serve others and make a positive impact.

No matter who you are, what you do, where you come from, what your background is, or whether you have a college degree or not… you’re either making sales or losing sales. The faster you understand and embody this success principle, the faster you will maximize your success in business, relationships, and life.

If you are a great salesperson. If you have the critical thinking skills and the communication skills to push the odds in your favor in every situation in life, you will be able to achieve your greatest success and your greatest potential. If you don’t want to leave your career, your success, and your life in the hands of “luck,” “hope,” and “wishful thinking,” you have to learn how to persuade, how to influence, and how to sell.

Why You Should Get a Job in Tech Sales

One of the many reasons I love tech sales and why you should too is because it’s repeatable, predictable, and scalable. I call this the ultimate trifecta.

Albert Einstein once said, “Compounding interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it.”

I love this quote. But I believe that the 8th wonder of the world is actually tech sales, and here’s why.

If you can close 1 sale in tech, you can quickly close 10 sales. If you can close 10 sales in tech, you can quickly close 100 sales. If you can close 100, you can easily multiply it and close 1,000.

Let’s say you make $100,000 in tech sales. If you put in the hard work, dedication, and motivation. And if you have the technologies, I will share with you as well as the training… you can easily make $1,000,000,000 in tech sales like I did. Tech sales is the only job that is highly repeatable, predictable, and scalable to millions.

If you want to go from broke to financially free, then getting a job and mastering tech sales is the answer!

To learn more about Brandon’s new book, click HERE.

Wisdom

“The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.” —Sir Winston Churchill

Grow Omaha University is sponsored by MyStaff Inc, a locally owned staffing firm whose purpose is helping Nebraska companies recruit for corporate office positions.

My Staff Inc – Our team helps you find yours!

2023 Omaha Home & Garden Expo on February 10th – 12th: Omaha’s 2023 Home & Garden Expo is packed with fun! This show will be your opportunity to meet experts, including Ty Pennington of the ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Throughout the day, you’ll be able to see and even touch exotic animals from around the world. Chefs from Omaha will be featured, and you’ll be able to learn some of their tips and taste their dishes!

Galentine’s Day at Zen on February 11th: Both Zen Coffee locations are hosting “Galentine’s Day” events! They’ll be hosting some of their favorite women-owned businesses and selling bouquets of flowers. Bring your friends to enjoy some Valentine’s drinks and treats!

Cupid’s Market on February 12th: Love on your local favorites – just in time for Valentine’s Day! Head over to the Cupid’s Market presented by Midtown Crossing, hello ruby and The Empire Room. Enjoy 30+ local vendors, themed signature drinks, and exploring the Midtown area. Shop, munch, sip + enjoy with your sweetheart(s) at the Cupid Market!

Mobile Meetup: Android/iOS Development on February 15th: A meetup for those involved in iOS and Android development! Connect with others within the community virtually or in person. Format will include specific topics at each meetup, but includes open discussion and socializing!

Valentine’s at the Granary on February 11th & 14th: The Granary will feature exhibits from local artists, live music, and a selection of food and wine that’s just right for a romantic memory-making evening or a night out with friends. The event centers on a guided wine tasting with carefully selected food pairings. A presentation of whites and reds will be followed by a dessert wine tasting and gourmet chocolate sampling. Your complimentary souvenir wine glass is included. Bring your loved one(s) out for a night to remember.

This Upcoming Events section is sponsored by Eagle Mortgage Company, is a locally owned and full-service mortgage company in Omaha.

Eagle Mortgage can help you realize your dream of owning a home.

Scooter’s Coffee has added Kim Ellis as Chief Development Officer. Prior to joining Omaha-based Scooter’s Coffee, Ellis worked for several drive-thru, restaurant and retail brands, including Panda Restaurant Group, Piada Italian Street Food, GameStop, Regis Corporation, and Blockbuster. Ellis also co-founded Aritzen Advisors, a commercial retail advisory services company.

The Sarpy Chamber has added Barry Haire as a membership manager. He was most recently membership manager at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. He brings more than 20 years of career experience in advertising, publishing, sales/marketing and nonprofit fundraising.

West Gate Bank has promoted Chad Tettenborn as senior vice president, commercial lending. He joined West Gate Bank in August 2020. Tettenborn received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University and his MBA from Creighton University.

FNTS Chief Technology Officer Ken Marr, who has 30 years of IT industry experience, has been named by Success Pitchers Magazine as one of The Top 10 Most Influential CTOs of the Year. Marr oversees FNTS’ technology strategies and service delivery initiatives to maximize the customer experience. Omaha-based FNTS is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska.

The “People in the News” section is sponsored by Baird Holm LLP. Baird Holm’s dedicated team of real estate lawyers has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate law, including purchases, sales, zoning and land use, leasing, and dispute resolution. Click HERE for more information.

The most fun you can have without drugs is watching CNBC after the market closes.

For the past few days, a plethora of earnings reports and Fed pronouncements have flooded the airwaves. So, after the market close, I have tuned into CNBC and listened to them explain what happened that day. What you don’t hear are explanations for what is going to happen the next day. My dad always told me, “if you can’t do, TEACH.” If these guys are so smart, why aren’t they managing money instead of jibber jabbering on CNBC?

The format for these programs has a gaggle of investment mavens in zoom boxes blabbering away. One day was super fun. Several of these Wall Street clowns kept saying the market just doesn’t get it. They were adamant that based upon the news, the market has it all wrong. I took a quick swing through Yahoo Finance and found several reports examining the same news that the CNBC gurus had pronounced as dire warnings. The Yahoo Finance guys thought they were a sign of positive things to come.

One of the mavens that I thought was particularly enlightening was a former member of the Fed. He said that at the end of the day, the best the Fed can do is to try and nudge the economy in the right direction. Any attempt to pinpoint economic targets is futile. When all is said and done, the market will do what it wants to do.

So, why bother to watch CNBC at all?

My response is that I strongly believe in the investment philosophy of the great 20th century British economist, John Maynard Keynes, who wrote that investing is like betting on a beauty contest. Don’t bet on the one you think will win; bet on the one you think the judges will pick. Translation: You can think that a stock is worth X, but the next day there will be 6 billion trades made by people who disagree with you. Forget the needle; buy the haystack.

Best quote of the day: “To the market there is no good news or no bad news, only news.” Headline in WSJ. the following day. “Economy remains incredibly strong. Investors not sure if that is good or bad?”

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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