Weekly Market Report: January 9, 2025

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Everbowl, a craft superfood restaurant chain specializing in açaí bowls and smoothies, plans to open its first Omaha location at 2913 South 168th Street, next to Godfather’s Pizza. It will be the first of three locations in the Omaha area. Opening is set for late February or early March. The California-based chain has nearly 100 locations nationwide. Everbowl’s closest existing locations are in West Des Moines, Iowa and Kansas City.

Early Bird will open a new location in the former Paradise Bakery & Café space at Village Pointe Shopping Center in April. The breakfast-and-lunch restaurant has eight locations in Omaha, Lincoln and Des Moines, Iowa. The original location is in the Blackstone District. Early Bird opened a restaurant at 173rd & West Center Road this past fall.

Tasty Pizza plans to build a new restaurant in the redeveloping North Saddle Creek neighborhood. An Omaha Planning Board application indicates that Tasty Pizza plans to build a 3,000 sq. ft. restaurant with a u-shaped drive thru lane near 49th & North Saddle Creek Road. The building will have eight onsite parking stalls. Construction will start this summer with completion in the fall of 2026.

Isla del Mar Restaurante has announced plans to open a third location, with the exact address yet to be disclosed. The family-owned Mexican seafood and sushi restaurant currently operates at 5101 South 36th Street and 2502 South 133rd Plaza near 132nd & Center.

Ital Vital Living will open a second location this Friday – January 11th – at 7639 Cass Street. The existing location is at 2323 North 24th Street. The business sells fully vegan smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices and dehydrated snacks.

Casa Jalisco, a family-owned Mexican bar and grill, has opened at 14242 Fort Street in Standing Bear Plaza. The restaurant features a variety of authentic Mexican dishes, including Quesabirria, Camarones Cancun, Molcajete, and a kids’ menu.

Zaytuna, a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant, will open soon at 7204 Jones Street in the former Copps Pizza location. The family-owned business opened in 2020 and currently operates food trucks at 423 South 13th Street in downtown Omaha and 12701 South 28th Avenue in Bellevue, as well as a spot inside Inner Rail Food Hall in Aksarben. Zaytuna’s menu features popular items such as falafel, chicken shawarma, and baba ganoush.

Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen is building a new location at 168th & Birch Street, which is just southeast of 168th & West Maple Road. Perkins-Crister Construction is the general contractor. The Building is framed and partially enclosed. Opening will take place later this year.

Discount Tire plans to build near 132nd & I Street. Their application for a special use permit indicates that they will build a 7,020 sq. ft. building on a 1.25-acre lot neighboring the Tommy’s Express Car Wash at 4225 South 132nd Street. This will be Discount Tire’s sixth Omaha-area location.

Christian Brothers Automotive is wrapping up construction on a future location at 20111 P Street. Hiring is now underway. The tentative opening date is March 10th. Houston-based Christian Brothers has existing Nebraska franchises in northwest Omaha, Gretna and Papillion.

Riddle’s Jewelry plans to open a store late this summer at Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion. The store will occupy a corner bay in the middle of the mall’s small-shop area. Riddle’s has existing locations at Westroads and Oakview Mall.

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

Hilton Omaha Set to Debut Open-Air Event Venue in Early 2025

By Eric Miller

Hilton Omaha, Nebraska’s largest hotel, has announced the addition of a 15,000 sq. ft. outdoor, multi-purpose event space known as Cass Street Green. Opening will occur early this year.

The outdoor space is in addition to Hilton Omaha’s 41,000 sq. ft. of indoor event space, which includes 16 meeting rooms. The hotel is located at 10th & Cass Street in North Downtown.

“The addition of Cass Street Green marks a significant milestone in Hilton Omaha’s commitment to providing versatile meeting spaces, enhancing our ability to accommodate and cater to a wider range of events,” said Robert Sabin, general manager, Hilton Omaha. “We are thrilled that we’ll be able to offer our guests an outdoor venue that seamlessly combines innovation and exceptional service.”

Cass Street Green is being constructed as an open-air venue with an eye for high-speed assembly, offering versatile tent building options that can span the event turf from 1,000 to 15,000 sq. ft. The advanced design, by Omaha engineering firm Lamp Rynearson, is engineered with a state of-the art drainage system that will keep event attendees dry.

The venue is designed for a variety of events, including weddings, corporate gatherings and tailgate parties. The space allows meeting planners to hold outdoor events without leaving the Hilton property.

Cass Street Green is the latest chapter in Hilton Omaha’s ongoing transformation, which included a $20 million renovation of the lobby, guest rooms and suites in 2024. In addition, Hilton Omaha is now home Nick’s Quorum Bar & Supper Club.

With 600 guest rooms, Hilton Omaha is the largest hotel in Nebraska. It is connected via skywalk to CHI Health Center Omaha.

Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

The Flatland Church property at 17515 Pacific Street will be redeveloped into a multifamily project. The developer has plans to demolish the existing church building, and in its place, build 30 townhouses and 90 apartment units. Townhouse units include 2-car parking garages and will be evenly split between 2- and 3-bedroom units. The apartment building and clubhouse will be built in the middle of the 8.3-acre property and will be served by 66 detached garage stalls and 91 surface parking stalls. Units will range from studios to 2-bedroom units, splits between two, 3-story building

Northwest Bank plans to build a bank branch building at 14607 California Street. That’s just northwest of 144th & West Dodge Road. Plans call for a 2-story, 20,300 sq. ft. building on a vacant 1.6-acre lot in front of Beth El Synagogue. The branch will have two drive-thru lanes and 68 parking stalls.

inCommon Community Development is seeking a $705,833 T.I.F. loan for its $19 million Poppleton East Project. Located at 2911 Poppleton Street, the project is the first phase of two that will transform a 1.1-acre site southeast of Park Avenue & Poppleton Street into a mixed-use development. More than 120 new apartment units and 4,000 sq. ft. of commercial space will be built on the site. Phase one consists of a 4-story, 51-unit apartment building with indoor parking inside the lower level. Twenty-eight of those units are reserved for residents making at or below 50 percent of the area’s median income. Construction is slated to begin this March and end September 2026.

The Omaha Planning Board reviewed plans to redevelop the historic Carnation Ballroom at 2711 North 24th Street. The 6,232 sq. ft. building would be redeveloped for commercial use with up to five divisible spaces for office or retail use. No tenants have been announced. The City of Omaha designated the Carnation Ballroom as a historic landmark in 2023. It was originally a bakery store but became historically significant as a ballroom established by Mildred Brown, founder of the Omaha Star. Completion is anticipated by fall 2027.

Construction just started going vertical at a 40,000 sq. ft. site southeast of 12th & Nicholas Street. That’s where Ronco Construction is building NOVA a 5-story building with street-level retail and 74 apartment units. The building will include 20,000 sq. ft. of street-level retail space for lease. It’s one of several new buildings planned for the Millwork Commons district north of Charles Schwab Field.

Condominium development in Omaha is practically non-existent despite a state law enacted a few years ago benefitting condo developers. According to attorney Bob Dailey, a condo expert at McGrath North, a grand total of 11 condo units were created in Omaha in all of 2024. Eight of them were commercial condos, while only three were residential.

Hands of Heartland will open a new location at 7300 Colfax Avenue in north Omaha on February 4. The organization works in Nebraska and Iowa, serving individuals with developmental disabilities through skill development, meaningful connections and community advocacy. Other metro area locations include Bellevue, Council Bluffs and Omaha.

Grow Omaha Snippets are brought to you by Baird Holm LLP, the Exclusive Legal Partner of Grow Omaha. Baird Holm’s dedicated team of real estate lawyers has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate law, including purchases, sales, construction, zoning and land use, leasing, and dispute resolution. Click HERE for more information.

The Only Facial, a skincare franchise, will hold a ribbon cutting January 28th for its new studio at 1020 South 74th Plaza. With 10 locations across the Midwest and South, The Only Facial is “redefining self-care with personalized, results-driven treatments for all skin types and ages.”

The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has sued Clayton Homes, a unit of Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway, accusing it of pushing borrowers into unaffordable loans—so customers would buy homes from the company’s manufactured housing business, according to CNN. The complaint alleges that Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, a unit of Clayton, ignored “clear and obvious red flags” that borrowers could not afford their loans.

A new year brings a new increase in state minimum wage requirements. In 2022, voters passed Initiative 433 that would increase the minimum wage from $9 to $15 by 2026. As of January 1, 2025, the state minimum wage is $13.50 and will increase to $15.00 in 2026. According to the Omaha World Herald, Nebraska has the 18th highest minimum wage in the nation.

Edward Jones leased the former Pinnacle Bank space at Southwestern Plaza near 144th & L Streets, according to Todd Schneidewind and Maddie Graeve of NAI NP Dodge, who represented the landlord in lease negotiations. The financial advisor will occupy a 2,442 sq. ft. end-cap space and join tenants like Scooter’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and Papa John’s Pizza.

Farmland values remain stable across Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, according to Omaha-based Farm Credit Services of America. Over the last six months, the average of the benchmark value changes ranged from -2.8% to 5.7% with an overall average of 0.9%. The 12-month value changes ranged from -5.1% to 9.5% with an overall average of 1.6%. The major factors affecting the agricultural real estate market are lower commodity prices, profitability in the cattle market and limited supply of real estate for sale. Farmers and ranchers continue to be the predominant buyers.

Business Travel – United Airlines is accelerating its plan to add Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi to its planes, with the first commercial flights now expected to arrive this spring, according to The Verge.

Dean Snyder Construction (DSC), founded in 1958, is a family-and-employee-owned general contractor and design-build firm. We serve the commercial, food and beverage processing, industrial, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and healthcare markets. Our commitment to hard work, direct communication, owner involvement, and exceeding client expectations ensures long-term customer satisfaction. Contact us at www.deansnyder.com

A Growing Number of Homeowners Are Choosing Not to Be Locked In

By Mike Story

Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible.

That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market. In other words, if you want to buy a home, and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. Bankrate explains why:

“No matter which way the real estate market is leaning, though, buying now means you can start building equity immediately.”

Here’s some data to break this down so you can really see the benefit of buying now versus later – if you’re able to. Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey. It asks more than one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment and market strategists what they forecast for home prices over the next five years. In the latest release, experts are projecting home prices will continue to rise through at least 2029 – just at a slower, more normal pace than they did over the past few years.

The last several years have been anything but normal when it comes to the housing market, but in 2025, we expect things to start to normalize. This includes further modest declines in interest rates and a healthier supply of inventory. All of this should help fuel a rebound in home sales activity while keeping a lid on price growth. We’re hoping that will also improve housing affordability.

If you’re torn between buying now or waiting, don’t forget that it’s time in the market, not timing the market that truly matters. Let’s connect if you want to talk about what you need to do to get the process started today.

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.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Public companies have cut middle-manager head counts by 6 percent since the peak of their pandemic hiring sprees, according to the Wall Street Journal, which quoted an analysis of 20 million white-collar workers by Live Data Technologies. Senior executives, whose ranks have shrunk nearly 5 percent since the end of 2021, haven’t fared much better.

Here are seven soft skills people need to grow their careers according to HubSpot: 1. Emotional intelligence; 2. Team player attitude; 3. Growth mindset; 4. Openness to feedback; 5. Adaptability; 6. Active listening; and 7. Work ethic.

Here are the eight college majors with the highest average starting salaries, according to Quartz: 1. Computer & information science ($91,411); 2. Maintenance & repair ($90,162); 3. Engineering ($80,085); 4. Math ($79,859); 5. Engineering technology ($69,162); 6. Transportation ($67,496); 7. Business ($66,578); 8. Military technology ($66,505).

Five percent of Fortune 500 CEOs rank climate and sustainability as one of their top three investment priorities; 62 percent consider it to be a risk.

SALES

Prospecting is one thing that you have to do that most people don’t want to, says sales author Jeb Blount: “When you fill up your pipeline, it frees you up to do a better job. Setting aside an hour every morning for prospecting, which I call the ‘chop the wood,’ has a cumulative impact because it begins to build up like compound interest. The moment you begin to stop prospecting is the moment your pipeline runs dry. The fuller the pipeline, the pickier you can be about your prospects.”

Sales Stat – About 47 percent of top performers ask for referrals consistently versus only 26 percent of non-top performers, according to HubSpot.

Negotiation Mistake – One of the biggest negotiation mistakes you can make is talking too much. “I have watched dozens of salespeople negotiate with themselves, because they talked too much,” says sales expert Kelley Robertson. “The best negotiators listen more than they talk.”

WISDOM

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch without doing anything.” – Albert Einstein

https://dundeebank.com/

Did you know Sarpy County is the third biggest county in Nebraska with more than 203,000 people? That population number is up 1.73 percent compared to last year.

Did you know that on September 2, 1878, five Jesuits, two lay teachers and 120 students began classes at the new Creighton College? Of course, that institution is now known at Creighton University.

Did you know the Greater Omaha Chamber has a 90 percent member retention rate?

This section is sponsored by Lockbox Storage, an affiliate of Omaha-based McGregor Interests Inc. We provide storage solutions for all of your storage needs. Our facilities have full-time managers and bright lighting to provide superior security for your belongings. In addition to space for rent, we also provide packing supplies, protection plans and locks along with complimentary handcarts and dollies. Visit LockBox Storage and let us help you with all your storage needs.

Singles Happy Hour on January 10th: It’s another singles happy hour hosted by Smitten Singles! This event is open to everyone single, embracing all ages and backgrounds in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with no strict ratios – just the opportunity to meet and enjoy each other’s company. Come right after work or stop by when you can at this open-house-style event.

Family Fun Day happening on January 11th: Come for the fun! Join beloved princess characters, like the Winter Queen and Winter Princess, and all your friends at Midtown Crossing for wintery family fun while supporting Together! Warm up to activities and attractions at friendly retailers throughout the neighborhood, including story time and photos with princesses and characters; creativity stations; lunch specials and so much more! Bring the family out to Midtown for a fun-filled day!

Time Travel Half-Marathon/10K/5K on January 11th: Y’all ready for a rip-roarin’ good time? Saddle up and join others for a time-warpin’ adventure like no other at our Time Travel-themed 5K, 10K and Half Marathon! Whether you’re a seasoned trailblazer or a greenhorn just startin’ out, this event guarantees a wild ride through the ages. Secure your spot, lace up your boots, and get ready to race through time at the Time Travel 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. It’s a rootin’-tootin’ fun, family-friendly event for all ages and skill levels! Register now!

Millwork Moves: Yoga in the Dock happening January 14th: Happening on select Tuesdays, Millwork Commons is hosting Yoga in the Dock with Lotus House of Yoga! This event is free and taught by a certified yoga instructor. Simply bring a mat, a water bottle and show up to enjoy flowing movement with the community.

Star Wars Trivia on January 15th: Feeling a disturbance in the Force? It’s a Star Wars Trivia Night approaching! Gather your squad and step into a galaxy far, far away to show off your expertise and claim your rightful place in the galaxy. Make sure to pre-register you and your friends and secure your spot now!

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!

Kiewit Luminarium has chosen Mathew “Mat” Sinclair as its new Chief Executive Officer effective February 18. Sinclair brings more than 30 years of experience in museum leadership, strategic planning and community engagement. Sinclair began his career at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum in Reno.

The Lerner Company has promoted Andrew Lerner to partner. During his tenure with the real estate company, he led national leasing efforts for 5 million sq. ft. of retail space across New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, California, Oregon and Washington.

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.

Charles Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities begins with the iconic line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” If Dickens were alive today, he might opine the same sentiment about the financial services industry’s 2024 performance.

During one of his recent mind-numbing rants, Jim Cramer pontificated that, now more than ever, investors need the help of financial professionals to navigate the market’s soaring hissy fit. And I quote, “The professionals have the experience, the high-speed computers and algorithms necessary to survive in this overpriced market.”

Cramer doesn’t get out much.

His reference to algorithms applies to the hedge fund gurus that are supposedly the crème de la crème of money managers. Their staff’s include dozens of math Ph.D.’s minted at the elite Ivy League schools. Because hedge funds are only open to those with million-dollar incomes and multi-million-dollar portfolios, they operate with less supervision than funds available to the hoi polloi.

The algorithms Cramer referenced are computer programs designed to respond instantaneously to breaking news and grab the brass ring nano seconds before it becomes available to the investing public.

In spite of their massive resources and glowing reputations, hedge funds have track records that fall under Dickens’ “worst of times” category. In 2024, 21.3 percent of all hedge funds went out of business. I don’t mean poor returns – Their performance was so bad that their creditors came a knockin’, and then they had to liquidate and close the doors.

Also in 2024, another gilt-edged financial group that got their mug shots added to Dickens’ wall of shame were the endowment funds of the big Ivy League schools. All have $50 billion-plus endowments and can afford to hire the best money can buy, or so they thought. Starting in 2022, they got too big for their britches and loaded up on high-risk, low-liquidity assets such as private equity, commodities, and real estate. At the end of 2024 only 14.7 percent of their combined assets were in stocks. And as we close out 2024, as a group, they have underperformed the market by a stunning 14.7 percent. So much for crème de la crème.

Drum roll, please…May I introduce to you the 2024 winners of Dickens’ best of times award: The lowly, inexperienced, 70 million individual investors who bought and held an S&P 500 index fund with zero commissions and an infinitesimal 0.1 percent management fee. Their total return for 2024 was 24.7 percent. Eat that crow, Jim Cramer!

Hubbell Realty Company is a full-service development company providing construction, development, homebuilding and management services since 1856. Click HERE for more information.

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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