Weekly Market Report: May 1, 2025

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

The former Applebee’s restaurant at 3350 South 143rd Plaza near Oak View Mall will become Clase Código Cocina & Tequila. Interior renovations are now under way, but the opening date is yet to be announced. According to Clase Código’s Facebook page, the restaurant is “rooted in heritage and craftsmanship” and “brings a modern spirit to Mexican cuisine, where every detail reflects tradition, warmth and vibrant spirit.”

The Daily, a fast-casual sandwich shop, plans to open this month at 12100 West Center Road, Suite 112, in Bel Air Plaza. The restaurant is designed to launch the next generation of culinary talent. Emerging chefs will rotate through the kitchen, testing and refining their concepts before moving on to open businesses of their own. Two startups — Heavenly Body a gluten free bakery and Against the Current— will be the first featured businesses, bringing creative offerings and artisanal tastes to the menu.

Santoro Restaurant opened earlier this week at 8601 West Dodge Road, Suite 101. Santoro is a new concept from Jesus Rivera, who owned the former Rivera’s restaurant near 120th & Blondo Street. Santoro is on the far east side of the building, in a sunken space that was once the building’s boiler room. Santoro also has a concealed outdoor patio on the east end.

Chick Bo-Bao is taking over the former Poke Boba House space at 510 South 13th Street on the western side of the Old Market. The locally owned restaurant had been planning to move into 1213 Howard Street but has shifted to the 13th Street location. Chick Bo-Bao serves Korean fried chicken, Korean corn dogs, bubble tea and mochi donuts. The original Chick Bo-Bao is at 7440 North 30th street.

A new restaurant called La Casa Del Pollo will open at 2405 N Street. The building is located on the south side of the parking lot west of the Plaza De La Raza. That area will be activated by a redevelopment project that will transform the parking lot into much needed public space and amenities, including a stage, event lawn and playgrounds. The project also includes a revamped public plaza along 24th Street.

Vic’s Corn Popper has partnered with Godega Market at 423 South 11th Street to sell its products at the downtown coffee shop and convenience store. In addition to online retail, Vic’s operates three Omaha locations and sells at Cup & Cone in Bennington, Common Grounds Coffee and Millwork Commons. The family-owned business is celebrating 45 years in operation.

Wild Chicken Grill opened its second location on April 28 at 8220 Giles Road in the former Long John Silver’s/A&W building, just south of La Vista City Centre at Brentwood Village Shopping Center. The fast-casual restaurant serves grilled and crispy chicken, burgers, brews and breakfast items. Its original location is in Bellevue at 3604 Twin Creek Drive.

Early Bird opened a Village Pointe location earlier this week in the former Paradise Bakery & Café space. 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. Paradise Bakery moved to Nebraska Crossing in Gretna.

Betty Rae’s Ice Cream opened a second Omaha location April 26th at 595 North 155th Plaza in Pepperwood Village. Local franchisee Zach Molacek has an existing store at 6307 Center Street near Aksarben Village. Kansas City-based Betty Rae’s serves 26 core flavors of hand-made and hand-scooped ice cream plus monthly rotating “creative” flavors.

GUGU Ramen will hold a ribbon cutting May 16th for its new restaurant at 9820 South 71st Plaza in Papillion. The Japanese restaurant has the same local ownership as Golden Apple Buffet, which is next door.

The Barker Building at 15th & Farnam Street will be home to a “reading lounge.” The Reading Room will take over the former Omaha Lounge spot at 1505 Farnam. The space was most recently Pedego Electic Bikes. According to owner Samantha Morley, the business combines a comfortable space with access to a full bar, coffee, tea and small food items. Opening is planned for early June.

SpartanNash will hold a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration Saturday, May 3rd for its Supermercado Nuestra Familia grocery store at 5101 Harrison Street. The Hispanic grocery store replaced the former Harrison Family Fare store.

Storm Bath & Beauty has opened at 14455 West Center Road. The store features a “DIY Bath & Beauty Bar, where guests can create their own sugar scrubs, body oils and more.” Additionally, Storm Bath & Beauty offers artisan products, including emulsified scrubs, hydrating body butters and handmade soaps. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For The One Bridal has moved from its Regency Court location at 120 Regency Parkway to 2909 South 169th Plaza in the Shops of Legacy near 168th & West Center Road. The designer bridal boutique had occupied its previous 1,700 sq. ft. Regency space between Lovesac and Garbo’s Salon since late 2021.

The Cannabis Factory plans open soon at 3434 South 84th Street in a building that was once the Omaha Fire Department’s hazmat facility. It was more recently a Midwest Medical Transport Co. location. The building is being renovated into a retail store as well as the company’s new headquarters, which will move from 1215 South 13th Street. The Cannabis Factory has 21 locations in Nebraska and says its Nebraska number-one cannabis dispensary.

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

Omaha Press Club to Honor Grow Omaha Founders as “Face on the Barroom Floor”

By Tom O’Connor

Omaha has no bigger supporters than Jeff Beals and Trenton Magid. The dynamic duo has parlayed their talents to create Grow Omaha Media, an enterprise that has successfully navigated the changing media landscape to become one of our community’s leading information sources.

For all their efforts to boost pride in our great city, Beals and Magid will be honored by the Omaha Press Club on Thursday, May 22, when they will be enshrined as the 182nd Face on the Barroom Floor.

In 2004, Beals and Magid co-founded Grow Omaha Media and started co-hosting the “Grow Omaha” radio show. For the past 19 years, the show has aired from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturdays on KFAB-AM (1110). In addition, each weekday at 7:54 a.m., KFAB airs a “Grow Omaha Minute” with the latest updates on the Omaha business scene.

Beals and Magid are executive vice presidents at NAI NP Dodge commercial real estate, the nation’s longest-running real estate company. Beals also serves as president of Jeff Beals & Associates, a sales training and consulting firm with clients in 14 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Licensed in both Nebraska and Iowa, Magid is consistently one of the top-producing commercial real estate brokers in the Omaha metro area.

The two have been friends since they attended Westside High School together. As Beals joked, “Trenton was senior class president in 1987. I was senior class nothing.”

They went different directions in college – Beals to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Magid to Tulane University in New Orleans. Beals earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism as well as a master’s degree, while Magid completed a bachelor’s degree in management from Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business.

After graduation, Beals spent a year in Santa Fe, N.M., before coming back to Omaha in 1994, while Magid landed a position in Los Angeles before returning to Omaha in 1993.

Beals served as dean of student affairs at Clarkson College and taught real estate at the University of Nebraska Omaha. In 1997, Magid founded World Group Commercial Real Estate, a brokerage and property management firm. Four years later, Beals joined the firm, and their partnership swung into action.

Between 2004-2006, the “Grow Omaha” radio show aired on a 5,000-watt station. In 2006, the program moved to the 50,000-watt giant, KFAB. Gary Sadlemyer, longtime morning show host at KFAB, welcomed the program with open arms. “It was exactly what people are interested in – updates on what’s happening with Omaha businesses, construction, new restaurants, etc.,” he said.

“Our mission was to increase the confidence of people in Omaha,” Beals said. “Omaha is a great city, but we have to overcome our excessive Midwestern modesty.”

“We are all about paying it forward,” Magid said. “We want to make Omaha a better place.”

In 2021, Grow Omaha Media took another major growth step by starting an online newsletter called the Grow Omaha Weekly Market Report. The newsletter was an instant success covering a wide variety of topics including business news, construction updates, restaurant and retail updates, sports, restaurant reviews, an arts and culture section and an investment column. Ten contributing writers provide stories for the newsletter.

Today, the free newsletter has more than 23,000 subscribers with an incredible 63% of subscribers opening the email.

“Our goal is to become the No. 1 local source for news,” Beals said. Grow Omaha Media has more than 47,000 followers on Facebook. The Grow Omaha Media website has an estimated 900,000 unique visitors each year with an estimated 2.69 million hits.

“It’s fun for people to be in the know. Our news could be described as professionally gossipy,” Beals said. “We like to tell people that we are giving them the ammunition they need to go to their next cocktail party.”

In 2014, Magid was appointed by Mayor Jean Stothert to the Omaha Planning Board and served a five-year term.

Beals, with assistance from his wife, Stephanie, runs his side business Jeff Beals & Associates. He loves doing real estate training seminars as well as motivational speeches for corporate events. He is an award-winning author of two books and has published more than 1,000 articles. A frequent media guest, he has been featured in Investor’s Business Daily, USA Today, Men’s Health, Chicago Tribune and The New York Times.

Roasters will include:

• Emcee – Gary Sadlemyer, morning show host, KFAB-AM, and 115th Face on the Barroom Floor in 2008;
• Scott Voorhees, program director and talk show host, KFAB-AM;
• Brad Williams, owner, Brad Williams Photography, and associate, Grow Omaha Media;
• Chris Corey, owner, Arbor Creative, and restaurant/film reviewer, Grow Omaha Media;
• Stephanie Beals, partner in Jeff Beals & Associates and Jeff’s wife, and Ammy Polanco, Trenton’s first wife

Face on Barroom Floor – Jeff Beals and Trenton Magid

WHEN: Thursday, May 22; 5:30 p.m. – reception; 6:30 p.m. – dinner; 8 p.m. – roast

COST: $90 for OPC members; $100 for non-members

RSVP: The event is open to the public. Call the OPC at 402-345-8008 or go online or email opcchristine@gmail.com. Members can charge to their OPC account. Non-members need to provide their credit card information.

This section is sponsored by RENZE. Click HERE to see our new addition of Taylor Gautsche and Window Optics powered by RENZE, which is now part of our RENZE family of brands. For over 130 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 like helping brands grow. See our recent work HERE.

Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

Gamescape by Cinemark, an indoor entertainment attraction, will be the first tenant at the $850 million Crossroads redevelopment, according to Salt Lake City-based Woodbury Corporation, which is developing former mall at 72nd & Dodge Street. The to-be-constructed building is expected to be about 90,000 sq. ft. Gamescape will include movie theaters, bowling, an arcade, laser tag and a full-service restaurant. A new concept from Dallas-based Cinemark Theatres, Gamescape recently opened its first location in El Paso, Tex.

After 30 years, the Ameristar Casino Riverboat in Council Bluffs is being replaced by an on-land casino. The Iowa Gaming Commission approved the $180-$200 million renovation project, which will bring gambling onto land, according to WOWT. The project will take a few years to complete, but at that time, the riverboat will be retired, with its next destination still unknown. The renovation will also include new branding. Ameristar will become a Hollywood Casino, Penn Entertainment’s top casino brand.

The Lerner Company has entered into a contract to develop Gretna Crossing, a retail project at 192nd & Highway 370 in Gretna. The 70-acre site has a half mile of frontage on Highway 370 and will ultimately have up to 500,000 sq. ft. of retail space. The project is expected to create 1,400 permanent retail and service jobs. Gretna Crossing is in the early planning stages. A groundbreaking date has not been announced.

The Omaha City Council approved the $852,814 Tax Increment Financing application for a multifamily apartment project at 2226 Howard Street. Formerly referred to as Jefferson Place, the project is now being called “The Mueller,” which is the surname of the project’s developers. The $9.58 million project is a four-story building that will fill out the quarter-acre site and house 34 residential units – 27 one-bedroom and 7 two-bedroom. Completion is planned for April 2026.

Crews recently put the final glass pane in place over Eppley Airfield’s front terminal drive. The $60 million canopy is 825 feet long and covers the entire drop-off and pick-up area. The project includes more than 2,200 tons of steel that will be wrapped with architectural aluminum cladding. There is now roughly 93,000 sq. ft. of structural glass comprising the roof. The canopy project is part of more than $1 billion worth of improvements underway at Nebraska and Iowa’s busiest airport.

The first units at the $55 million Sagebrook project will come online starting in late May. Located northwest of 96th & Giles Road in La Vista, Sagebook will have 84 rental townhomes and 180 apartment units. The townhomes are wrapping up first. The clubhouse will be completed early this summer, and the apartments will likely all be complete by the second quarter of 2026. Hubbell Realty Co. of Des Moines, Iowa, is the developer.

The Nebraska chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization will welcome EO members from around the world this Friday to an event coinciding with Berkshire weekend at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Approximately 200 EO members will attend, representing 43 chapters in 15 countries. EO Nebraska has 125 business-owner members, who collectively employ 7,930 people and generate $276 million in gross revenue, according to Julie Hockney of JH Interior Design, the chapter’s current president.

Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen, Saddle Creek Business Improvement District Chair Josh Hannum, Metcalfe-Harrison Neighborhood President Will Meinen, and philanthropic partners will break ground on the $5 million revitalization of the Saddle Creek Neighborhood Business District on Monday, May 5, at 10 a.m.

The project will increase walkability and pedestrian safety by widening sidewalks, adding a 10-foot pedestrian/bike path on the northside, and improving a dangerous five-way intersection. It will also improve aesthetics and security by adding new landscaping and decorative lighting and close to 100 parking stalls for small businesses.

The entire stretch of North Saddle Creek Road from NW Radial Highway to “the Peanut” at 50th Street will also be resurfaced as will some alleyways. Access will be maintained to all businesses during construction with project completion in November.

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.

First National Bank of Omaha announced that it is acquiring the CCB Financial Corporation, the parent company of Kansas City-based Country Club Bank. CCB currently employs more than 400 people. The 20 existing CCB branches in Kansas and Missouri will be converted to FNBO locations. The acquisition is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025 and will bring FNBO’s total assets to almost $35 billion.

Air Methods will officially celebrate the opening of its new AirCom building – the largest aeromedical dispatch center in the nation – on May 14th at 4010 South 148th Street in Omaha. The company moved in earlier this year and has space for 225 employees. In 2024, AirCom supported 81,757 patient transports nationwide and handled more than 550,000 phone calls per month, generating an average of 20,000 flight requests each month.

Spaw Collective opened today – May 1st – at 5094 South 108th Street in the Empire Park Shopping Center northwest of 108th & Q Street. Owned by long-time groomers Erin Laney and Lindsey Blum, Spaw Collective will offer traditional grooming, coloring options and a small retail area with dog-related products. Spaw Collective will start with three groomers but will have space for a couple additional independent groomers.

TOAST REAL ESTATE, an independent brokerage, officially launched today – May 1st – serving the Omaha metro. A physical office will open later this month at 1045 North 115th Street in Miracle Hills. The brokerage evolved from Toast Real Estate Group, a real estate team founded in 2022. Its mission is “to raise the standard in real estate through world-class service, strong accountability, and a team culture that feels like family.”

Rotella’s Italian Bakery has been recognized as one of the best places to work in Omaha for 2025, according to a survey by Baird Holm LLP and sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber. The family-owned bakery received first place in the category of companies with more than 200 employees. The survey measured levels of employee engagement, including workplace morale, environment, management and co-worker relations.

The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved above the 50.0 growth neutral threshold for a fourth straight month. The April reading declined to a solid 53.3 from March’s stronger 56.7. The bad news is that the April employment index tumbled to 44.9, its lowest level since November, and down from 67.6 in March.

The Greater Omaha Chamber announced its 2025 Business Excellence Award Winners in four categories: “Civic Engagement” – A-1 United Heating, Air & Electrical; ACCESSbank; Carson Group; and Goodwill. “Culture” – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands; NEI Global Relocation; Ronald McDonald House; Thrasher Foundation Repair; and WoodmenLife. “Innovation” – Blair Freeman; Cobalt Credit Union; Cordia; ProsperSpark; and Riekes Equipment. “Philanthropy” – Centris Federal Credit Union; FiberFirst; Nebraska Furniture Mart; and Turner Construction.

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

On May 5, the AIM Institute is hosting Infotec, a technology conference for business leaders. As the first conference to utilize the full space of the Kiewit Luminarium, Infotec will bring leaders together to talk about topics such as AI & Automation, Cybersecurity & Risk Management, Data & Business Intelligence, Talent & Workforce Development, and Emerging Technologies. The AIM Institute is committed to growing a strong and diverse tech community through education, career development and outreach. Infotec tickets are available the rest of the week on the AIM Institute Eventbrite page.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Thrasher Foundation Repair has launched its largest community giveback initiative to date. The company will donate up to $50,000 in professional repair services in each of its five service areas, totaling up to $250,000 in free services to homeowners and nonprofit organizations in need. Nominations are now open and will be accepted through June 1. Selected projects will be completed during a special “Thrasher Gives Back Day” on July 7.

The Kim Foundation, a nonprofit that serves as a supportive resource and compassionate voice for lives touched by mental illness and suicide, is hosting a free Self-Care Fair at Heartland of America Park Saturday, May 3. The event will feature a sound healing by Joy Brings Light from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., bracelet-making with local Girl Scouts, pet therapy, Plinko with prizes, temporary tattoos, an affirmation station, Frios Gourmet Pops, mental health resources from The Kim Foundation and more. Several organizations will offer self-care activities, including The Kim Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council, the Metro Area LOSS Team and Westside High School’s HOPE Squad.

In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, the City of Omaha, Papio-Missouri River NRD and local businesses, the American Reforestation Initiative officially launched the Replant Omaha Initiative, a 10-year program aimed at restoring Omaha’s tree canopy, which suffered unprecedented losses during storms last summer. The initiative includes the planting of 25,000 high-quality shade trees, educating homeowners on proper tree care, and fostering a sustainable future for the city’s environment and neighborhoods.

On May 7, the Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving aims to inspire generosity that will benefit Catholic parishes, schools, ministries and organizations throughout the state, like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha, by matching donations dollar-for-dollar. The event aims to create awareness and help organizations raise critically important funds.

How much equity are you potentially sitting on?

By Jill ANderson

Something you might not check very often is how much your home is worth. But when it comes to your financial situation, knowing its value is an important thing to remember. When’s the last time you had a professional show you the value of your home?

For most people, your house is probably the biggest asset you have. And if you’ve owned your home for a few years (or longer), chances are it’s been quietly building wealth for you in the background.

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. It grows over time as home values rise and as you pay down your mortgage each month.

Here’s an example to help you really understand how this works.

Let’s say your house is now worth $500,000, and you have $200,000 left to pay off on your loan. That means you have $300,000 in equity. Most homeowners are sitting on some rather significant equity right now. According to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), the average homeowner with a mortgage has about $311,000 in equity.

Why You Probably Have More Than You Think

Here are the two main reasons homeowners have record amounts of equity right now:

1. Significant Home Price Growth. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home prices have jumped by more than 57% nationwide over the last five years.

2. People Are Living in Their Homes Longer. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shows the average homeowner stays in their home for about 10 years. “Over the past decade, the typical homeowner has accumulated $201,600 in wealth solely from price appreciation.”

What Could You Actually Do with That Equity?

Remember, your house might be your biggest financial asset – and, if you’re careful about how you leverage your equity, it could open up some exciting opportunities for your future.

Whether you’re thinking about selling, upgrading or simply want to understand your options, your equity may not be just a number. It could be a tool. Let’s connect to discuss your home’s value.

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

The NFL Draft took place last weekend, and two former Omaha area players found new homes. Former Burke star Xavier Watts was selected in the third round on Friday, 96th overall by the Atlanta Falcons. Watts was the first player from Omaha drafted since Millard West’s Harrison Phillips was taken by the Bills – with the 96th overall pick – in 2018.

The second local player was Marques Sigle, a Safety hailing from North High School, just two rounds later. Sigle started the final 25 games of his career at Kansas State after transferring in from North Dakota State. The San Francisco 49ers selected Sigle in the fifth round Saturday with the 160th overall pick.

Omaha softball clinched the No. 1 seed in the Summit League tournament this weekend following Saturday’s victory over South Dakota State. The Mavericks are 35-10 overall and 14-4 in conference play this season behind their stellar defense that is posting the nation’s sixth-best fielding percentage and eighth-best strikeout-to-walk ratio. Omaha heads to Madison for one final doubleheader Friday before traveling to Brookings for the Summit League tournament beginning next Wednesday, May 7. The winner of the tournament will receive the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The PVF playoffs are set with the league’s fourth and final team, the Indy Ignite, cementing its spot in the postseason following a win over San Diego on Sunday. They will join Omaha, Atlanta and Orlando to compete for the “Match for a Million.” Seeds are not finalized yet with Omaha and Atlanta battling for the No. 1 seed, but the Supernovas can clinch that with a win on Friday against Grand Rapids. The PVF Championship will be held on May 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. All matches will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Ally Batenhorst set a franchise record during the Supernovas final home match Sunday, a win against Vegas. The rookie hit .667 in the match, recording 10 kills on 15 attempts with zero errors. The first-place Supernovas have two games remaining. On Friday, they will visit Grand Rapids, then second-place Atlanta on Sunday.

Creighton men’s basketball got another transfer portal commitment on Sunday evening from MEAC Rookie and Player of the Year, Blake Harper. The 6’8 freshman averaged 19.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 40.4 percent from three-point range.

The Jays are ranked seventh in the country in On3’s transfer portal rankings after bringing in five new faces with college experience. Former teammates Josh Dix and Owen Freeman (Iowa), Austin Swartz (Miami), Nik Graves (Charlotte) and Blake Harper (Howard) have all transferred in this offseason. Creighton also brings in four-star freshman Hudson Greer and Serbian seven-footer Aleksa Dimitrijevic in this recruiting cycle. Greg McDermott, in the twilight of his career, has no interest in rebuilding – just reloading. Creighton’s ceiling with this roster and coaching staff is absolutely a Final Four.

Speaking of Creighton basketball, both the men’s and women’s programs finished this season in the top 25 of the year-end coaches’ polls. Creighton and Duke are the only two Division I schools to achieve this feat each of the last two seasons.

Maddia Groff has been named Summit League Pitcher of the Week, again, for the sixth time this season. In 15 innings pitched last weekend against South Dakota, Groff went 2-0, posting a 0.47 ERA. The Omaha native is top 10 in the nation in wins (22), strikeouts (212), strikeout-to-walk ratio (10) and ERA (1.33). Omaha was recently ranked No. 21 in the Division I Softball Mid-Major Rankings, and Groff is largely to thank.

Omaha baseball snapped a five-game losing streak against Creighton Tuesday, beating the Bluejays 11-5. The Mavericks tie the season series 1-1 ahead of the finale May 13. With the game tied 3-3 in the seventh inning, Omaha rattled off five runs with two outs on the board, taking the lead for good. The Summit League’s fourth-place Mavericks visit first-place St. Thomas for a series this weekend. Big East-leading Creighton heads to a series against lackluster Butler.

Creighton softball faced Kansas City in a midweek doubleheader Tuesday and won both games in walk-off fashion – but not the kind of walk-offs you may be accustomed to. Hannah Poole’s walk-off grand slam made it 9-1 in the fifth inning and sealed the run-rule victory in game one. In game two, Avery Barnard’s sixth inning single secured the 12-4 run-rule victory for the Jays. Creighton is now 24-23 coming into their last series of the regular season on a five-game winning streak. They host Seton Hall for the final regular-season series this weekend before the start of the Big East Softball tournament May 7.

The Storm Chasers evened this week’s series against Indianapolis Wednesday, defeating the Indians 9-6. Omaha was down 6-2 in the bottom of the seventh when they put up five runs to take the lead before scoring two insurance runs in the eighth. Tonight, they return to Werner Park against Indianapolis at 6:35 p.m. for “Take Meowt to the Ballgame” and $3 Thursday. You can enter for $3 and bring your leashed or crated cat to the game, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Indianapolis (April 29-May 4) | Tonight, May 1 | 6:35 p.m.
• Crieghton Baseball at Butler (May 2-4) | Friday, May 2 | 2 p.m.
• Omaha Baseball at St. Thomas (May 2-4) | Friday, May 2 | 3 p.m.
• Omaha Softball at Wisconsin (Doubleheader) | Friday, May 2 | 4 p.m.
• Creighton Softball vs. Seton Hall (May 2-4) | Friday, May 2 | 4 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at Grand Rapids | Friday, May 2 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha Beef vs. Dallas | Saturday, May 3 | 6:30 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at Atlanta | Sunday, May 4 | 5 p.m.
• Omaha Softball – Summit League Tournament | Wednesday, May 7 – Saturday, May 10
• Creighton Softball – Big East Tournament | Wednesday, May 7 – Saturday, May 10

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The Museum of Nebraska Art, located down the road in Kearney, is reopening this weekend after a $38.5 million renovation. Following an extensive expansion, restoration and renovation, MONA will unveil its revitalized historic building and a brand-new 23,000 sq. ft. expansion, marking a new chapter for Nebraska’s art and cultural community. MONA invites the community to a day of free festivities on Saturday, May 3.

The Omaha Symphony will be performing with composer, singer-songwriter, and pianist Ben Folds for two nights of exceptional performances on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. Widely regarded as one of the major musical influences of our generation, Folds’ enormous body of genre-bending music includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. https://www.omahasymphony.org/concerts/ben-folds

Luli Creative House has announced their first Mama Made Market just in time for Mother’s Day. The free event will take place on May 3 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and will feature local handmade jewelry, clothing, baked goods, photography mini-sessions by local photographer Ali Champion0 and more. The event will take place at Luli at 1901 Howard Street, Suite 401.

Opera Omaha, Wicked Raven Productions and Joslyn Castle & Gardens invite artists 18 and younger to join a special youth art show celebrating the enchanting bond between humanity and the natural world inspired by Opera Omaha’s new production of Fantastic Mr. Fox. The art will be on display from May 15 to June 10. wickedravenproductions@gmail.com

Omaha Mobile Stage announces Crooner’s Corner, a new outdoor event debuting on Friday, May 2, at 6 p.m. Crooner’s Corner is an intimate evening of smooth vocals and soulful storytelling, celebrating the rich legacy of Black crooners who paved the way for generations of vocalists. This showcase uplifts Black musical excellence and brings the community together through the power of voice, storytelling, and timeless sound. The event is free and open to the public and takes place at the intersection of 61st & Maple Street during Benson First Friday.

Did you know approximately 40,000 people are expected to attend the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ meeting this Saturday in downtown Omaha?

Did you know the Mid-American Energy Adventure Tower under construction along the Council Bluffs Riverfront will be 138 feet tall when it’s complete?

Did you know CHI Health Center Omaha is undergoing a 90,000 sq. ft. expansion that will add 25 meeting rooms?

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.

24/25 Poetry & Music Project Concert happening on May 3rd: Join Opera Omaha on Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m. for the 24/25 Poetry & Music Project Concert at the Omaha Conservatory of Music. This concert will premiere 13 original pieces with words from poems selected from Nebraska students and set to music by professional composer Sidney Marquez Boquiren and hip-hop artist Lite Pole. This event is free and open to the public.

Derby Day 2025 happening on May 3rd: Experience the thrill of the races at our 2nd Annual Derby Day Event. Get ready to sip mint juleps, savor delicious southern bites, enjoy live music, river boat games, bid on exclusive items and experiences while enjoying the excitement of the races at the Venues at The Granary! We will have a hat and bowtie contest. Grab your fanciest hat and bowtie and come join the excitement of the 151st Kentucky Derby.

Cinco de Mayo happening May 3rd-5th: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo weekend with all-day food and drink specials at Crescent Moon Ale House on Saturday (5/3), Sunday (5/4), and Monday (5/5)! Guests can stop in for lunch, brunch or dinner and enjoy festive favorites like tacos, nachos, huevos rancheros, margaritas and more. On Saturday night, the Huber Haus German Bier Hall joins the celebration with additional specials and festive vibes. Don’t miss this three-day fiesta filled with flavor and fun!

Free Coworking Day happening on May 8th: Join Modus Coworking for a FREE coworking day on the second Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. High speed wifi and office amenities are readily available. Unlimited Amateur coffee and Artemis tea are always ready to go as well. Whether you are traveling through Omaha or have been needing a new spot to make your workday more meaningful, come to Modus and get the experience you are missing!

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!

Lutz, an Omaha-based business solutions firm, has announced Ryan Cook’s appointment as managing shareholder, effective May 1. He is only the third managing shareholder in more than 30 years and replaces Mark Duren, who led the firm since 2015. As part of this transition, Taylor Kendall will assume the role of Lutz Accounting president, succeeding Cook.

FNTS has appointed John Downey as vice president of sales. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience from IBM, Kyndryl and Ensono, where he led high-performing sales and delivery teams in cloud, data center and enterprise IT services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Dallas Baptist University and earned a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from The George Washington University.

ACCESSbank has named Robert Li to its board of directors. Li serves as president of Ohana Building Group, a construction and consulting firm he founded in 2010. He also is vice president of Midwest Rebar Services, where he oversees risk management, contracts and insurance functions. Li has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and music from Creighton University as well as a law degree from Creighton University.

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.

OK, boys and girls, for this incredibly insightful edition of my commentary, we’re going to begin with a literature lesson. The book under consideration is the 16th century Spanish classic, Don Quixote. Full Disclosure; I never read it, because when I was young whipper snapper of a college student, we had Cliff Notes. They were a Readers Digest version of a book that allows you learn everything you need to know in the time it takes to consume two beers.

Don Quixote was a lower echelon Spanish nobleman who believed that Spain was on the road to perdition and that he, and he alone, was capable of returning it to its former noble status. As he begins his quest for glory, he runs across a cluster of giant windmills. Quixote sees them as the symbol of all of society’s ills and sets out to destroy them using a giant jousting spear.

Now to the financial stuff. The financial media has been blaming the market’s recent decline on Trump’s assault on Fed chair, Jerry Powell. Trump has taken to social medial calling Powell a loser for not lowering interest rates fast enough in order to overcome the economic impact of his tariff barrage.

This stance is analogous to Quixote’s windmill-jousting episode. If the Fed is so omnipotent, how did we get into this sink hole and why has the Fed not yanked us out of it.

Open any economic text book to the chapters on monetary and fiscal policy. There you will find the words, ceteris paribus, which are Latin for “all things being equal.” English translation: “If you do this, this will happen as long as nothing else changes.”

So, the theoretical powers of the Fed to maneuver the economy are based on the assumption that nothing else changes. We are in the throes of changes of epic proportions. A worldwide trade war, massive budget cuts, dramatic changes in energy production, and on and on. Another reason why any discussion of the Fed possessing mystical powers makes as much sense as Don Quixote’s jousting with windmills.

The next phase of Wall Street’s marketing ploy to line their pockets will be a barrage of predictions of the stocks that will benefit from Trumps “Fantastic Trade Deals.” Every once in a while, a blind squill finds an acorn, therefore Wall Street will come up with a few winners and a bunch of not-so-big winners.

But the real winners will be those who put their hard-earned retirement dollars in traditional index funds. These funds contain the stocks Mr. Market will anoint as winners, and his opinion is the only one that matters.

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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