Weekly Market Report – October 3, 2024

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Grace Pizza & Shakes has opened its first Nebraska location in downtown Papillion at 136 North Jefferson Street, inside the original 1875 county courthouse. The restaurant, which also has locations in Texas and Florida, specializes in coal-fired pizza and “over-the-top” milkshakes.

Rooted Table Kitchen opens today in Countryside Village at 8705 Shamrock Road. The plant-based restaurant offers cold-pressed juices and organic foods made with little-to-no oils, natural sweeteners, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos plans to open at 12448 Southport Parkway in La Vista. The restaurant has submitted a permit application to build out a 1,262 sq. ft. bay immediately west of Charred Burger + Bar, which is near both Cabela’s and Embassy Suites.

After much anticipation, Hotpot 88 announced plans to open within the next two weeks at 2502 South 130th Avenue. The Asian cuisine restaurant occupies the site where Stoysich House of Sausage once stood.

Signage is up for Taco Co., a popular Mexican spot known for its puffy tacos, that plans to open soon inside Kamp food hall in Blackstone. The restaurant’s original location is at 6108 Maple Street near 61st & Maple Street.

Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to build a 2,325 sq. ft., free-standing restaurant building in the Southport East development on the southeast corner of Giles Road and Southport Parkway in La Vista. The site is near an existing Hampton Inn and several other quick-serve restaurants.

McDonald’s continues to expand in the metro area. The fast-food restaurant chain opened a new location last week at 194th & Highway 370 in the Gretna Landing development. Another location is under construction southeast of 25th & Capehart Road in Bellevue.

Pure Barre is opening a new location soon at 204th & Blondo Parkway in the Elkhorn area. The business is a “full-body workout gym” and has two existing Omaha locations.

Mega Saver plans to open in the former Fuddruckers space at 7059 Dodge Street, near 72nd & Dodge. Construction has started, and the store could open by the end of the year, according to ownership.

Old Chicago abruptly closed its two Omaha locations (144th & Center and 132nd & Maple) on October 2nd. The restaurant’s only remaining Nebraska location is in Lincoln at SouthPointe Pavilions.

Sugared Ledge Bakery has closed its West Shores location at 110 North 243rd Street in Waterloo. The closure is part of plans to expand Salted Edge, a modern restaurant that shares the same space and ownership. Sugared Ledge’s Elkhorn location at 920 North 204th Avenue remains open.

The Pizza Pie Guys has abruptly closed its location at 5318 North 156th Street due to significant staffing issues. The closure was announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page, presumed to be written by owner Dan Reid, who also owns Double Zero Pizzeria near 204th & Pacific. Both restaurants use the same recipes but different cooking methods.

Sunnyside on Center, a fast-casual breakfast restaurant at 3528 Center Street, will close permanently on October 6th. The restaurant had previously closed its west Omaha location at 2611 North 204th Street.

Where do you want to go? Grow Omaha has partnered with local marketing expert Cam Vacek to bring a very useful restaurant resource to our readers. Before you go out, check our lists of Daily Restaurant Specials, Happy Hours, Party Rooms and local Coffee Shops. We even have a list of birthday party ideas!

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!

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Pro Volleyball Organization Plans to Build Gretna Training Facility

League One Volleyball, a Los Angeles-based sports organization launching a professional volleyball league later this year, announced that it will be breaking ground on a new 66,000 sq. ft. training facility in Gretna Landing, a burgeoning retail development near 192nd & Highway 370.

With a stronghold in the area through its nationally ranked junior club Premier Nebraska and new professional team LOVB Omaha Volleyball launching in January 2025, LOVB is expanding its presence through this new facility that is designed to support Omaha volleyball players from youth to pro.

“Omaha is the center of women’s volleyball and our new five star facility in Gretna Landing embodies our commitment to providing players youth to pro with an unprecedented edge,” said Mike Bufano, president, LOVB Clubs. “As an organization, we are committed to championing athletes through their entire volleyball journey, so we are excited to invest in Omaha athletes of every age through the programs, coaching and mentorship that our new facility will offer.”

Currently the highest ranked club in the country with an all women leadership group, Premier Nebraska was only one of three clubs in 2023 to qualify a team in the highest division of each age group for USAV Girls Junior Nationals.

“At Premier, we take tremendous pride in developing athletes in all age groups at various levels, and the players we’ve had the honor of developing, are nothing short of humbling,” said Michelle Lund, Premier Nebraska’s director of communications. “It’s an exciting new chapter as we enter our 28th season. We are dedicated to growing the game and creating the best environment for our athletes to advance their skills and help them make their dreams a reality. In addition, having our Premier Nebraska athletes and coaches working alongside LOVB Omaha pros in order to give them the ability to learn from, improve and have fun at our new state of the art training facility will be so special.”

With ten premium courts, including two with Taraflex flooring and clear height averages of 32 feet, LOVB’s new facility will enable LOVB Omaha’s pro athletes – including four-time Olympic medalist and tireless advocate for the sport Jordan Larson and fellow Husker alumna and two-time Olympic medalist Justine Wong-Orantes – to train alongside Premier Nebraska’s youth players, giving club athletes the opportunity to learn from, witness, and build even stronger ties with pro players they admire. Growing up as the beneficiary of a youth development experience at Premier, Larson herself is the living embodiment of LOVB’s commitment to create pathways from youth to pro.

“I am the living embodiment of LOVB’s commitment to creating pathways from youth to pro,” said Jordan Larson. “I grew up playing for Premier Nebraska. To be able to help increase access to the sport of volleyball and train for LOVB Omaha Volleyball in the same facility as my club roots is an incredible full circle moment for me, I can’t wait to inspire the next generation of incredible Nebraskan athletes to pursue their volleyball dreams.”

The all-new facility in Gretna Landing will also feature a pro locker room, cafe, a pro shop with merchandise, as well as a premium training room which will include two cold tubs, ice and stem machines and more, all of which are unique for club facilities.

“LOVB’s investment in this state-of-the-art training facility shows their commitment to growing professional sports in Omaha and increasing Omaha’s appeal as a sports destination to the more than 14 million people who visit our community each year,” said Deborah Ward, executive director of Visit Omaha, the city’s official tourism authority.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

The developer of an apartment project at 3511 Howard Street is seeking Tax Increment Financing. The project was previously approved by City Council for necessary rezoning and PUR applications in 2023. The project consists of a 3-story apartment building with a total of 15 residential units. The unit mix includes six 514 sq. ft. studio units, six 655 sq. ft. 1-bedroom units and three 1,065 sq. ft. 2-bedroom units. Rents range from $1,000 per month for studios to $2,250 per month for the 2-bedroom apartments.

Burke High School is thoroughly renovating its outdoor athletic facilities. The high school located near 120th & Dodge hosts the annual state track and field championship meet. Because of the construction, no football games are being held in the stadium this fall.

Another portion of the Southside Terrace-Indian Hill redevelopment project is moving forward. Developers are planning to build a 14-unit townhome project at the northwest corner of 32nd & Y Street. The project will be split between two, 2-story buildings, one with 11 units and the other with three units. Each unit will have three bedrooms and be 1,680 sq. ft,

GreenSlate Management announced that the 37 West Farnam Building under construction in the Blackstone District is set to open next spring. The company is now offering hard-had tours to prospective apartment renters. The 9-story building sits prominently along the south side of Farnam Street just west of the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. The building will have street-level retail space, a parking garage open to the public and several floors of apartments.

A new industrial user is planning to utilize the former Scoular Grain and A&R Salvage property along the east side of Interstate 480. The 23-acre site is northeast of 28th & Deer Park Boulevard. In 2021, a developer announced ambitious plans to build “The Intersections,” a wellness and recreational center with a $100 million price tag. In 2022, the developer formally announced the project was not moving forward. The site is now planned to be the future location of Crushin’-IT, a concrete recycling business. Omaha Planning Board will review an application for a final plat of the property.

A new developer is planning to take over a townhome development site at the southwest corner of 33rd Street and Mason. Milestone Development will build 15 townhomes on the 22,000 sq. ft. lot. The Planning Board reviewed PUR and TIF applications this week. Each unit will have approximately 1,800 sq. ft. and have two bedrooms. The TIF application indicates that each unit will be sold at about $420,000 per unit. The structures will be 3-4 stories with parking garages, two spaces per unit, on the lowest level.

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Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, a transportation engineering firm, has relocated its Omaha office to Heartwood Preserve near 144th & West Dodge Road. After nearly two decades in Miracle Hills, the company’s 35 Omaha employees have moved to a modern 17,000 sq. ft. space on the top floor of the Carson 2 building. In addition to Omaha, the Denver-based company has offices in Lincoln: Council Bluffs: Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Colorado Springs; and Fort Collins, Colo.

LovelySkin, the largest dermatologist-owned and -operated skin, hair and beauty e-commerce website in the world, will hold a grand-opening ceremony of its new, 75,000 sq. ft. distribution center and corporate headquarters in Gretna on November 1st. Started in Omaha by Dr. Joel Schlessinger, LoveySkin serves millions of customers.

Pacific Engineering, Inc. is opening a 52,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Omaha at 5902 North 9th Street, according to the Lincoln Journal-Star. The Lincoln-based company makes products for government agencies and military contractors. The expansion was made possible by a $10 million “North and South Omaha Economic Recovery Grant” from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

HDR and Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, both based in Omaha, won the “Merit Award, Unbuilt Category” for the American Institute of Architects 2024 Central States Excellence in Design. The $150 million library is under construction on the southwest corner of 72nd & Dodge Street. The 3-story, 96,000 sq. ft. building is scheduled to open in 2026.

For the fifth time in 2024, Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, slumped below the 50.0 growth neutral threshold. The September reading declined to 48.1 from 48.7 in August – the ninth time in 2024 that the index has drifted around growth neutral.

Berkshire Hathaway is buying the rest of its utility unit from the estate of a long-time board member who died three years ago, according to Fast Company. Berkshire Hathaway Energy will pay Walter Scott Jr.’s family $2.4 billion cash and issue a number of Class B Berkshire shares that are equivalent to 1.6 million shares of the utility business. Berkshire is buying more than 4.4 million shares in the utilities to give it 100 percent ownership.

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LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Canva, the visual communication platform, released insights from a survey of 1,500 business professionals in the United States and Australia, highlighting the strong link between workplace recognition and job satisfaction. In the survey, 81 percent of employees who feel highly appreciated report elevated job satisfaction, compared to just 7 percent among those who feel unappreciated or neutral.

This might make you feel like a slacker – Mark Zuckerberg grew his wealth by $73.4 billion so far this year to a total of $201 billion, making the Meta CEO the fourth-richest person in the world, according to The Hustle. The exclusive $200 billion club has only three other members: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bernard Arnault.

Forty-seven percent of travelers say they often travel by themselves, according to Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report. The trend is even more popular among Gen Zers as 55 percent of them regularly travel alone.

According to Rachita Sharma’s HubSpot article, 80 percent of CEOs believe empathy is a key driver of success. Empathetic leadership increases trust in management, prevents toxic work culture and helps companies retain their best employees. Strong leaders know that when employees are happy and motivated, their teams are much more likely to succeed.

SALES

One of the biggest mistakes sales reps make in social selling is treating it like traditional cold outreach. Social selling isn‘t about bombarding prospects with generic sales pitches; it’s about building relationships, according to a HubSpot article by Jay Fuchs. When reps connect and immediately push for a sale, it turns people off. Instead, they should be sharing value—whether through insights, content, or engaging in meaningful conversations.

A quote from sales author Mark Hunter about the role of trust in selling: “Trust is currency, and shows up in sales all the time. The higher the degree of trust, the less the need to negotiate.”

A good sales leader should behave like a coach, according to sales author Steven Rosen. Great coaches move from directive leadership to inquisitive leadership. Rather than giving the answers, great coaches ask powerful, insightful questions that prompt their reps to think critically and find their own solutions. This shift builds problem-solving skills and self-sufficiency and fosters a culture of accountability.

WISDOM

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” – Henry Ford

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Did you know that nearly 130 animals were born or hatched at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in 2023? Among those new arrivals were two elephants and a giraffe.

Did you know Father Flanagan believed that all boys, regardless of race or religion, deserved a second chance? This view caused many troubles for Boys Town in the first half of the 20th century, when much of the country was segregated.

Did you know the University of Nebraska at Omaha is ranked as a best four-year public institution for Military Friendliness by Military Times?

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Visiting Nurse Association to Host Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics
The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) will offer drive-thru flu shot clinics in October at their Omaha headquarters, 12565 West Center Road. Clinics run Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, October 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Most major insurance plans cover the full cost of vaccinations. Proceeds support VNA’s Community Care services. Vaccines range from $35 to $80 for those paying out-of-pocket. Visit vnatoday.org/flu for more details.

Symposium Tackles Critical Nonprofit Challenges in Human Care
The second annual regional “Future of Human Care” Symposium is on October 15, at the Scott Conference Center, hosted by Lutheran Family Services, the Urban League of Nebraska, and McGrath North Law. The event includes panels on volunteer and donor development challenges, the impact of elections, and a spotlight on the successful outcomes for the formerly incarcerated through RISE! Keynotes by Chanda Chacón and Renee Rafferty will focus on mental health and generational trauma. Visual artist Shawnequa Linder will create a live piece using materials from local nonprofits. The symposium aims to unite nonprofit leaders for strategic collaboration.

Grand Opening of Iowa West Foundation Collaboration Center in Council Bluffs
On September 26th, the Iowa West Foundation Collaboration Center celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 51,000 sq. ft. facility on the Charles E. Lakin Human Resource Campus brings together organizations like the Visiting Nurse Association, Together Inc., Iowa Legal Aid and Firefly Council Bluffs. This collaboration strengthens services to better support the region’s needs.

18th Annual Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands Set for November 14
The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands will host its 18th Annual Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands on November 14, at the Embassy Suites La Vista Hotel & Conference Center. Themed “Amplify,” this full-day event will bring together more than 300 nonprofit leaders for workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities aimed at enhancing the impact of local organizations. Keynote speaker Liz Moore will address innovative strategies and best practices. The summit is designed for nonprofit professionals, board members and volunteers. More details will be announced soon.

Make a Difference Day Encourages Community Volunteering on October 26
Make a Difference Day, observed on the fourth Saturday of October, offers an opportunity for individuals and families to contribute to their communities through volunteer work. Participants are encouraged to find local projects that align with their values and spend the day giving back. This national day of service has become a significant event, mobilizing people across the country to support local nonprofits, schools and community initiatives to create positive change.

SHARE Omaha Highlights Spooky Volunteer Opportunities for October
This October, SHARE Omaha is offering a variety of festive volunteer opportunities to help local nonprofits during the Halloween season. From assisting with CEDARS’ Trick or Treat and Empowerment Network’s Fall Festival to joining the Omaha Symphony’s Spooktacular and the Durham Museum’s Spook Squad, volunteers can support community events while embracing the spooky spirit. These opportunities provide a fun, impactful way to give back and engage with local organizations.

Omaha Fall Home & Lifestyle Show 2024 from October 4th – 6th: The Omaha Home & Lifestyle Show offers homeowners a FREE chance to save on home improvement projects and connect directly with local and national vendors for expert projects. Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel, enhancing your outdoor space or updating your home, this event provides all the resources to kick-start your project. Admission is FREE!

Free Coworking Week from October 7th – 11th: Enjoy daily access to Elevator Co-Warehousing’s vibrant space, connect with Omaha’s entrepreneurial community and get a sneak peek of the excitement the HUSTLE Conference brings. Whether you’re looking to network with like-minded go-getters, collaborate on your next big idea or just enjoy a change of pace, this week is designed with you in mind. Don’t miss out—mark your calendar!

Glow Dink N Drink Pickleball Social on October 10th: Come with a group, on a date night, or by yourself to play pickleball with and against 11 other players in this 21+ social event. Deck yourself out in glow-in-the-dark swag under blacklights to play the game everyone knows and loves! There will be some neon sweatbands, glow paint and glow tape for you. Register now to save your spot!

Free Coworking Day at Modus on October 10th: 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!

Millwork Moves: Yoga in The Dock happening on Tuesdays: Happening on select Tuesdays in October, 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.

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Kiewit Building Group has promoted Josh Render to Omaha area manager and senior vice president. He has been in the industry for 31 years and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from The Catholic University of America.

Metonic, a real estate investment firm, has added Ari Perlmutter as director of investments. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.

Ron Nebbia, a shareholder at Lutz, has been named the inaugural recipient of the John Connor Family Award by the School of Accountancy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Fraser Stryker has added Heidi Strigenz and Olivia Stanek to its litigation team. Strigenz has a law degree from Creighton University, while Stanek’s law degree is from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman has added Brenna M. Bushey to its litigation team. She will specialize in civil litigation and medical malpractice defense. She is a graduate of the Creighton University School of Law.

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As I go about my daily meandering through the financial media maze, I am constantly bombarded with articles touting Buffett’s latest stock transactions as the key to financial nirvana. Unfortunately, most of Buffett’s actions and pronouncements cited relate to conditions that prevailed during an era when bell bottoms and tie-dye shirts were in vogue. (If you’re under 40, you’re gonna have to look this up in a Funk and Waggles).

Since that time, both Buffett and the stock market have changed dramatically. When Buffett formed the partnership that would become Berkshire, stock transactions were completed by guys in blue coats, land line phones in hand, on the floor of a cavernous exchange. Stock quotes arrived in a hard copy of the Wall Street Journal delivered to your front porch. When Buffett became a value investing proselytizer, the concept of a competitive moat and undervalued stock price were workable investment guideposts, because financial statements arrived by snail mail, not e-mail.

My first face-to-face encounter with Buffett occurred on September 12, 1992. How can I be so specific? I took notes, and I still have them. They are a bit faded, but legible. The occasion was a lecture he gave at the Omaha Press Club. During the Q&A session, a lady in the front row asked, “What should I be buying?” Without hesitation he replied, “An S&P 500 index fund.”

The notion that Berkshire’s meteoritic stock price increase relies solely on Buffett’s stock-picking prowess disappeared along with the aforementioned bell bottoms in the mid 1990’s. During his rambling remarks to his swooning followers at the annual meetings, Buffett proclaimed that Berkshire had grown to a size that precluded stock purchases from moving the needle. Going forward he opined that Berkshire’s future relied on the purchase of operating companies.

In order to fully understand Berkshire’s business model, you have to recognize that the investment portfolio referred to by those hoping to ride Buffett’s coat tail to fame and fortune, represents less than 20 percent of the value of the now-trillion-dollar company. In 2007, Buffett began to hand off the day-to-day operation of the Berkshire portfolio, (which is actually the float of the Berkshire insurance companies) to the two T’s – Todd and Ted.

To add insult to injury, in 2017, Buffett brought Jack Bogle, the founding father of index funds, to the Berkshire meeting. In his introduction of Bogle, he emphatically proclaimed that “Jack has done more to help individual investors than any person on the planet.” (If you dig deep into Berkshire’s current portfolio, you’ll find two index fund positions, SPY and VOO.)

Moral of the story: If you want to invest like Buffett does, you need to buy a railroad and two ginormous insurance companies. Or you can do as he says and buy an S&P 500 index fund. (Which, by the way, is up 21.18 percent YTD.)

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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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