The August 7 Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Draftcade, a retro arcade bar and restaurant, has opened at 710 North 114th Street in Miracle Hills. Connected to the relocated Funny Bone Comedy Club, the venue offers 48 rotating drafts, a full bar and unlimited play on 75 classic games like Donkey Kong, NBA Jam and Pac-Man with the purchase of a game band. The space is 21+ after 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Africa on a Plate plans to open around September 1st in the former Panda House Chinese Restaurant space at 301 South 16th Street in downtown Omaha. The locally owned restaurant will take guests on “a culinary journey through the heart of Africa and taste the resilience and beauty of South Sudanese culture.” Africa on a Plate will feature traditional, vegan and gluten-free menu items.

The Fox Den will open soon at 4916 Underwood Avenue in Dundee, replacing La Bo, a bodega that closed July 26 after opening in August 2024 beneath Ooh De Lally. La Bo offered small bites, pintxos, and to-go wine and cocktails. The soft opening starts August 12 followed by a grand opening weekend August 15 and 16. The Fox Den shares Ooh De Lally’s mission through its partnership with the Metropolitan Community College 180 Re-entry Assistance Program.

The Tenant, a rooftop bar that opened in August 2024 at 6201 Maple Street in Benson, has rebranded as Little Riot. According to its website, the business is now a pizzeria and rooftop bar offering pizza, wings, ribs, salads and ribeye. The Tenant had operated as an Asian-inspired smokehouse known for its craft cocktails and Rooftop Rosé Garden.

The Beanery is taking over the former Rally Coffee space at 17878 Oakmont Drive in Gretna. Opening is scheduled for this Wednesday – August 6th. The location is northeast of 180th & Highway 370. The Beanery has existing locations in Papillion, Ashland, 168th & Giles Road and an existing Gretna store at 11849 South 216th Street. Rally Coffee closed its Gretna location last month, but its downtown Omaha location remains open at 749 North 14th Street.

Unity Seafood has opened at 7605 Cass Street in a former Outback Steakhouse building. The Cajun bar and grill features an outdoor area and serves dim sum, po’ boys, seafood boils and grilled hot pot. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is now projected to open in September at 3430 North 167th Street southeast of 168th & West Maple Road. The project, contracted by Perkins-Critser Construction, has been somewhat delayed due to revisions requested by Popeyes’ corporate office. Omaha-based Eat Out Now is the owner.

The Omaha City Council approved a 32,000 sq. ft. expansion of the long-vacant former Younker’s department store space. A building permit filed with the City of Omaha indicates that the expanded space will be home to a Dillard’s Department Store. After the expansion, the 2-story anchor space will total 207,800 sq. ft. A new entry will be included in the addition. As part of the project, the former Granite City building will be demolished to create more parking. The space has been vacant since 2018. Dillard’s has not yet officially announced the new Westroads store.

The Cake Gallery has reopened in Bel-Air Plaza northwest of 120th & West Center Road, according to the Omaha World-Herald. The bakery had operated in Westgate Plaza for 60 years southeast of 84th & Hascall Street. It was forced to close in 2024 to make way for a Westlake Ace Hardware store.

ko & co Studios, a locally owned studio space for independent beauty and wellness professionals, is opening a second location this September near 108th & Highway 370 in Papillion. This additional site will offer private, move-in-ready studios for hairstylists, estheticians, tattoo artists and other independent pros. The original ko & co studio is on the northeast corner of 192nd & Pacific Street in Omaha.

Burger Detour permanently closed both of its locations. The restaurants were located at 18308 Evans Street (near 180th & West Maple Road) and 1220 South 203rd Street (just south of Pacific Street). Both properties were listed for sale back in May but the restaurants remained open at that time. Burger Detour’s ownership had been building a third location at 120th & L Street, but that project was scrapped this past spring.

The City Pub closed July 31 at 7861 Main Street in La Vista City Centre. The gastrobar, which opened in late 2023, was known for casual fare and a rooftop patio. A public post circulating online suggests the space may have been sold to Let it Fly, an upscale sports bar with locations in west Omaha and downtown. Let it Fly has not publicly confirmed any new openings.

Matilde Old Market has closed its floral-and-botanical store at 421 South 11th Street in the Old Market. The business continues to offer services just not in a brick-and-mortar location.

CVS Pharmacy will close its store at 8315 West Center Road on August 19. The national chain still operates more than a dozen locations across the Omaha metro.

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

Open Omaha Provides Behind-the-Scenes Tours of Local Places Saturday

Open Omaha, a free metro-wide open house celebrating the city’s most fascinating centers of design, history and culture, returns for its fourth year this Saturday – August 9. Hosted by nonprofit Omaha by Design, the event invites the public to step inside the spaces that make our city so dynamic— many of which are not typically open and free to the public. Spanning the metro, this curated showcase is open to all.

Launched in 2022, the event has opened doors to more than 140 of the metro’s most unique spaces. Open Omaha 2025 will feature 44 venues across seven neighborhoods, encouraging attendees to discover the variety of venues that are just a walk, ride or roll away from one another.

Newly participating venues include Joslyn Art Museum, UNO’s Mallory Kountze Planetarium, Steelhouse Omaha, RailsWest History Museum and Omaha Central High School. Returning venues include Conagra Brands, Joslyn Castle and Gardens, Hardy Coffee Co. Roasting Lab, Squirrel Cage Jail and No More Empty Pots Greenhouse.

Inspired by similar concepts in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago and New York, Open Omaha encourages residents and visitors alike to explore their city in new ways. Venues will be open on Saturday for walk-in tours and curated experiences. Attendees can choose their own adventure and visit as many venues as they wish using the Open Omaha app and printed map guide.

“With thanks to our partners and sponsors, Omaha by Design is thrilled to welcome the community to this celebration of the spaces that shape our city,” said Scott Dobbe, executive director of Omaha by Design. “As the region’s hub for people-centered urban design and policy, we believe there is immense value in bringing people together to open doors, open minds and open conversations about Omaha’s built environment. With over 40 venues to explore, I am certain attendees will see something new and leave inspired by the creativity of our community. We hope you’ll join us – and perhaps bring a friend!”

Participating venues will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to download the Open Omaha app to find venue accessibility information and map out the spaces they plan to visit. The app can be downloaded on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Learn more about Open Omaha and check out the full list of venues at OpenOmaha.org.

Open Omaha is made possible by the following sponsors: The Sherwood Foundation, NuStyle Development, Conagra Brands, DLR Group, Millwork Commons, OPPD, Cordia, Emspace + Lovgren, BVH Architecture and Confluence.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

Omaha Mayor John Ewing announced a plan to provide $40 million from streetcar Tax Increment Financing-derived funds to help build and maintain affordable housing in the Urban Core bounded by Cuming Street, Woolworth Avenue, 50th Street and the Missouri River. According to development projections from streetcar TIF, the initial line could produce enough funding to repay the $440 million streetcar bond and up to $100 million in excess funds to help build affordable housing and other mobility enhancements in the core.

The city had anticipated using potential excess funds years after the streetcar line was completed, but the Ewing administration plans to jumpstart the affordable housing efforts with plans to issue a $40 million bond. An anonymous private donor will purchase the bond. Front Porch Investments, a non-profit that helps connect affordable and workforce housing developers and available public and private funding, will be a recipient of a portion of the funds. The plan will allow affordable housing efforts in the Urban Core to begin as early as next year.

West Development, the developer of the recently opened Parallel Apartments project – part of the old CoCo Key Redevelopment site northeast of 72nd & Grover Street – presented a plan to the Omaha Planning Board to build a $30 million assisted living and memory care facility. The proposed 3-story building would be south of the Parallel Apartments and have 100 units, with 20 units for memory care residents. The developers requested approval of $3.3 million in Tax Increment Financing.

After a long wait, one of the final pieces of the RiverFront Parks opened last week. The pickleball courts are officially open on a first-come, first-serve basis. The four courts are located on the north side of the Kiewit Luminarium at Lewis and Clark Landing. Last week, the City of Bellevue also celebrated the completion of four new pickleball courts at Everett Park on the northeast corner of Betz Road & Englewood Drive.

Metonic has broken ground on its Blair Crossing Apartments project near the intersection of Highways 30 & 133. The 133-unit project will be Blair’s first major multi-family development in more than two decades. Each apartment will include in-unit laundry, smart-home technology and modern finishes. Property amenities include a fitness center, dog park, package lockers and pool.

The recently opened Kids Indoor Play Park at 14445 West Center Road is already planning to expand. The Omaha Planning Board approved KIPP’s application for an amendment to a conditional use permit that originally allowed an indoor recreation area. The amendment will allow for an 8,700 sq. ft. outdoor play area that will be built on the southeast side of the building. The outdoor space may include a refreshments bar selling food and drinks.

Crews continue to add floors to Mutual of Omaha’s future headquarters building at 14th & Farnam Street. The shear tower core is now 42 stories tall on its way to 44 stories eventually. The skyscraper will eventually be 677 feet tall, making it the tallest building in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and the Dakotas. Completion is planned for the late 2026.

Girls Inc. unveiled building details about its to-be-rebuilt Emma Lozier Center in South Omaha located at 2108 L Street near South High School. At 36,000 sq. ft., the updated center will be nearly five times larger than the current South Omaha Center. It will accommodate 300 girls, offering a similar scope of services and opportunities to the Katherine Fletcher Center in North Omaha, including a full-size gym, maker space and instructional kitchen. Like the North Center, the nearly $35 million South Center will have a dedicated fleet of vans for after-school and field trip transportation. Groundbreaking is scheduled for October.

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.

Hy-Vee plans to offer one-hour online delivery 24 hours a day in the Omaha area. Hy-Vee plans to fulfill and distribute online orders from its warehouse at 5710 South 144th Street, a former Super Saver grocery store. Online orders will be sorted and bagged at the warehouse then delivered to individual stores for customer pickup. Hy-Vee is partnering with a currently unnamed third-party vendor to provide this service. The Omaha Planning Board approved an amendment to a conditional use permit to allow for distribution from this property.

A neuropsychology clinic is coming to west Omaha. Neuro Nebraska will open this month at 15808 West Dodge Road #200. The specialty clinic will offer personalized care for individuals navigating memory loss, cognitive changes and other brain health concerns. Led by board-certified clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Lindy Fields, Neuro Nebraska will donate a portion of proceeds to brain-related initiatives in the community.

Berkshire Hathaway reported a small decline in second-quarter operating earnings, according to CNBC. The Omaha-based conglomerate’s operating profit — those from the company’s wholly owned businesses including insurance and railroads — dipped 4 percent year over year to $11.16 billion in the second quarter. The results were impacted by a decline in insurance underwriting, while railroad, energy, manufacturing, service and retailing all saw higher profits from a year ago.

After six straight months of positive readings, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, sank below 50.0 growth neutral threshold for July. The index declined to 49.4 for July from 50.7 in June. Employment losses occurred for the fourth straight month. Inflationary pressures are moving higher at the wholesale level.

Maruha Nichiro Meat & Products USA, Inc., a global leader in seafood and food production with operations across North America has leased space in a 4-story office building at 8701 W Dodge Road, according to Deb Graeve-Morrison and Chris Falcone of NAI NP Dodge, who represented the landlord. The company specializes in premium frozen seafood, meat products, and value-added food solutions for both retail and foodservice industries.

Columbia Insurance, a Missouri company with a major office in Omaha, earned recognition as a 2024 Employee Experience Top Performer from DecisionWise, a global leader in employee engagement and feedback solutions. Columbia is one of seven medium-sized companies to receive this award. The annual honor goes to organizations with employee-feedback survey results ranking in the top 10 percent of DecisionWise’s global database.

Nebraska Patio and Landscape, Inc. is opening a showroom and retail store at 12775 Q Street in the Millard area. The Papillion company provides pation and outdoor living design services and has been in business 25 years. The new retail space will carry Recteq Grills and supplies, pots for plants, fire pits, chiminea’s, bird houses, yard art, trellises, shade sails and more. The store will have a design showcase area with examples of patio ideas and outdoor kitchens.

Green Plains Inc. will release second quarter 2025 financial results prior to the market opening on August 11, and then host a conference call beginning at 8 a.m. CDT to discuss second quarter 2025 performance and outlook.

Union Pacific Railroad celebrated the grand opening of its newest intermodal terminal today in Kansas City, Kan. It’s the fourth intermodal facility Union Pacific has opened since 2021. The Kansas City Intermodal Terminal will serve both domestic and international containerized shipments of grains, consumer goods, refrigerated products and auto parts in the Midwest region, and will help to convert more truck traffic to rail.

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

Omaha by Design is presenting its annual Open Omaha event. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, local businesses, historic landmarks, sacred sites, creative spaces, and other venues all around Omaha will open their doors for the public to get an inside look. This year, the event features 44 different locations, including the CHI Health Center, HDR, KIOS Omaha Public Radio, Omaha Central High School, and many more local landmarks. Admission at all locations is free.

On August 1, the City of Omaha and Front Porch Investments announced a $40 million bond tied to the property tax increases from the streetcar project which will be used to add an estimated 1,900 affordable homes to the urban core. Mayor John Ewing Jr. said an anonymous donor has offered to buy the bond, allowing the $40 million to be allocated to Front Porch Investments, who in turn will distribute money to affordable housing developments within a 770-block area around the streetcar route. If approved, this plan would allow related housing development to start as early as next year, rather than around 2031, as previously planned.

The North Omaha Visitor’s Center, a nonprofit organization and venue aiming to cultivate tourism and promote the rich history, culture and economic vibrancy of north Omaha, held a soft opening on August 1. The hub for both tourists and locals will feature a gallery, tours and events, as well as a coffee shop and gift shop when it opens to the public in September.

Mayor John Ewing Jr. has proclaimed August 9, 2025 to be Nebraska Humane Society Day in honor of the nonprofit’s 150th anniversary. The NHS is the fifth oldest humane society in the United States

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Why Selling Your Home After School is Back in Session Can Be a Smart Move

By Jill Anderson

As summer winds down and kids head back to school, many homeowners assume the window for selling their home has closed. However, listing your home after school is back in session—typically late August through early fall—can offer several strategic advantages. In fact, this post-summer period can be one of the most effective times to sell, especially for sellers looking to stand out in a less crowded market.

1. Less Competition from Other Sellers

Summer is traditionally seen as peak selling season, which means the market tends to be saturated with listings. Once school resumes, many sellers pull their homes off the market or delay listing until spring. This seasonal dip means less competition—and fewer options for buyers—making your home more likely to stand out.

2. More Serious Buyers

Buyers shopping in the fall tend to be more motivated. They may have missed out on homes during the summer rush or have a specific reason to move before the year ends—like job relocation or changes in family circumstances. These are serious buyers who are more likely to make strong, quick offers and close on time.

3. A More Relaxed Selling Process

With kids back in school, many families find their schedules more predictable, which can make showings, open houses, and even moving less stressful. Homes tend to be easier to keep clean and staged without little ones at home during the day, helping sellers maintain that all-important first impression for potential buyers.

4. Better Timing for a Winter Move

A home listed in late summer or early fall often closes before the holiday season, making it easier for both buyers and sellers to settle in before winter. It also gives sellers more time to find and move into their next home without the pressure of the school-year transition or harsh weather.

5. Appeal to Non-Family Buyers

Not all buyers have school-aged children. In fact, empty nesters, young professionals and investors often prefer shopping for homes when the market is quieter. Fall offers a perfect opportunity to market your home to these groups without competing against listings specifically geared toward families during the summer.

6. Homes Show Beautifully in the Fall

Crisp air, golden leaves and cozy decor can make homes feel particularly welcoming in the fall. With the right staging and landscaping, your property can capture buyers’ emotions in ways that summer listings can’t always achieve. It’s an ideal season for creating strong curb appeal and warm interior ambiance.

Bottom Line: Selling a home when school is back in session can be a smart strategy that offers a more focused, less competitive market—and the chance to attract serious, qualified buyers.

If you’re considering selling this season, now is the time to prepare. Let’s chat!

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

League One Volleyball (LOVB) announced that the team has a new ownership group for its professional volleyball team in Nebraska, featuring a familiar face to Nebraskans. Former Husker legend and LOVB Founding Athlete Jordan Larson will headline the new ownership group that also includes JE Dunn Construction Group’s investment subsidiary.

Larson is not the only volleyball legend from the state who will be involved in the team’s front office. LOVB revealed that former Creighton University women’s volleyball head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth will serve the team as president of business operations. After 22 seasons leading the Bluejays, Booth abruptly stepped down at Creighton in April. At that time, she revealed that she had accepted an administrative position with LOVB. Her role is now defined. Read more about Larson and Booth’s involvement with new-look LOVB Nebraska HERE.

The Pro Volleyball Federation and Major League Volleyball announced plans for a single league branded as MLV. The move brings in additional team owners, league governance, ownership standards and innovative off-court player opportunities and fan engagement. The league stated in a press release that “MLV is an evolution of PVF, and the upcoming campaign will be recorded as the league’s third season.”

On a busy volleyball news week, the Supernovas also announced that retired Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball coach John Cook is now the club’s general manager and co-owner. The Husker legend retired after last season. More information on the Supernovas and Cook can be found HERE.

Significant staffing moves were made by the Supernovas in conjunction with Cook’s arrival. The team announced Wednesday that Laura “Bird” Kuhn will not be moving with the Supernovas as head coach. Kuhn took over as head coach two matches into the inaugural 2024 season and led Omaha to a PVF Championship. In 2025, she and her staff led a roster with only two returning players and eight rookies to a league-best 21-7 record.

Luka Slabe will become the Supernovas’ next head coach. His hire was announced less than two hours after Kuhn’s announcement. Slabe has served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team since 2024. Prior to that, he served as an assistant for the U.S. Women’s National Team, winning the country’s first-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Assistant coach Thomas Robson will remain on staff for his third season with the Supernovas. Robson has been instrumental in the success of the team over the past two seasons and helped guide the team to its 2024 PVF Championship.

The United States U23 national volleyball team won the NORCECA Pan American Cup on Friday night, sweeping Canada in the gold medal match. Former Bluejays Ava Martin and Nora Sis were two of 12 athletes to make the team for this event. Martin appeared as a serving specialist for Team USA, serving the final three points of the win. Nora Sis did not play in the match. Martin will return to Creighton this fall for her senior season, while Sis heads into her second season with Major League Volleyball’s Orlando Valkyries.

Creighton volleyball is ranked 12th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Top 25 preseason poll. This is the ninth time in the last 10 seasons that Creighton has been ranked in the preseason. Brian Rosen, in his first year as head coach, returns 11 letter winners from last year’s team that finished 32-2.

Creighton baseball alumnus Isaac Collins won the National League Rookie of the Month for July, recording 25 hits and posting a .321 average for the month. Collins ranks second in betting odds, behind Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin, to win National League Rookie of the Year.

Union Omaha defeated Westchester SC on Wednesday night, 2-1. The winner came on a goal from Stefano Pinho in the 96th minute. Union Omaha fell behind 1-0 early in the second half and scored two goals in the final 13 minutes of the game to secure its fifth win of the season. The Owls are back in action Saturday at 6 p.m. at Werner Park, hosting the Chattanooga Red Wolves.

The Omaha Storm Chasers are playing a series at the Indianapolis Indians this week. Omaha took games one and two on Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch tonight is at 5:35 p.m. All Storm Chasers games can be streamed with a subscription to MLB.TV or the MLB app.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha Storm Chasers at Indianapolis | August 4 – August 10 | 5:35 p.m. Tonight
• Union Omaha vs. Chattanooga | Saturday, August 9 | 6 p.m.

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Access to Arts

• WhyArts, Inc., Omaha
• Ruth Davidson Hahn, Lincoln

Excellence in Arts Education

• Cody Talarico, Bellevue
• Lorinda Rice, Lincoln

Leadership in the Arts

• Gretchen Peters, Gering
• Audrey Kauders, Kearney

Heritage Award

• Whiteclay Makerspace, Lincoln
• Bluebird Cultural Initiative, David City

Organizational Achievement

• International Quilt Museum, Lincoln
• Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, David City

Outstanding Artist

• Daniel Martinez, Lincoln
• Sarah Rowe, Omaha

Thomas C. Woods III Partner in the Arts

• Mid-America Arts Alliance, Kansas City, MO

The Leonard Thiessen Award

• Rich Vierk, Lincoln

The biennial awards program is Nebraska’s premier event in recognizing individuals and organizations that shape our state’s artistic landscape. The impact of the arts, and these honorees, is felt in the classroom, the economy, and the community.

Film Streams’ Feature event is coming back for the first time since 2019, and they are thrilled to announce that Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee, cultural icon and a defining figure in American cinema for over three decades, will be the special guest for Feature 9, the latest fundraising event in support of our nonprofit’s mission and programs.

Mark your calendars, Feature returns on Sunday, November 16 at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

The Omaha Community Playhouse has announced the opening of The River Bride, a hauntingly beautiful love story steeped in Brazilian folklore, opening August 15 and running through September 14, 2025 in the Howard Drew Theatre. Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Written by Marisela Treviño Orta and directed by Alex Rodriguez, The River Bride blends myth, romance, and mystery in a poetic tale set along the Amazon River. The play follows two sisters in a Brazilian fishing village whose lives are forever changed when a mysterious stranger is pulled from the river—setting off a chain of events that challenge love, loyalty, and destiny.

The Durham Museum has announced a new coffee table book, entitled Ak-Sar-Ben: Looking Back & Leading Onward, which captures more than a century of Ak-Sar-Ben’s influence on Nebraska through parades, pageantry, philanthropy and progress. Produced in partnership with the Aksarben Foundation and the museum’s On Track Guild, the book is a visual and narrative journey featuring hundreds of rarely seen photographs and newly uncovered stories, all made possible by The Durham’s commitment to preserving Nebraska’s rich cultural heritage.

Omaha Performing Arts has added two new events to the performance calendar:

Creole + Cocktails, a special dining event, will be offered in Zinc at the Holland Center on Friday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $85 per person and are on sale now through opentable.com.

Tyler Hubbard comes to Steelhouse Omaha on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $52.30 and go on sale Friday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. through steelhouseomaha.com.

Spaw Collective is a local, woman-owned dog grooming salon opening in 2025. We prioritize safety and comfort, offering traditional grooming services along with fun, safe coloring options. Our shop features a curated retail area with products from local artisans, supporting the community. Committed to quality and care, we aim to create a positive environment where pets feel loved and owners trust us with their furry babies. Spaw Collective is located at 5094 South 108th Street.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

We’re not encouraging you to lie or behave maliciously, but gossiping might actually contribute to your professional development. Gossiping gives us an opportunity to vicariously learn from others, says Professor Eshin Jolly of the UC San Diego School of Social Sciences: “We can experience things from other people’s point of view and share our own experiences. The process of doing this repeatedly over time is what builds trust, relationships and social bonds.”

According to a recent Preply study, one in two Americans think their college major did not prepare them for the job market. One in six respondents who went to college regret doing so. “Not networking more” and “student loans” are the top regrets Americans have regarding their college experiences.

CEOs at the largest public companies took home $18.9 million last year, or 285 times as much as the typical U.S. worker’s paycheck of $49,500. That’s up from a ratio of 268 to 1 a year earlier, according to AFL-CIO’s annual Executive Paywatch report highlighted by CNN. The ratio was highest at Starbucks where CEO Brian Niccol made 6,666 times more than the company’s typical employee.

SALES

Too many salespeople look at prospecting as an action they only take when they don’t have enough in their pipeline. That’s the wrong attitude according to sales author Mark Hunter: “Prospecting isn’t an emergency button—it’s your ongoing insurance policy against dry spells. If you treat it as routine maintenance rather than last-ditch repair, you’ll build a stronger pipeline and a more confident mindset.”

While a sales script can be a comfortable security blanket for sales reps, best-selling sales author Jeb Blount advises against them: “When you rely on a script, you’re outsourcing your brain to someone else’s process. You stop listening to what your prospect is actually saying because you’re too busy figuring out what line comes next. You lose your ability to respond authentically to their real concerns, fears and motivations.”

Scripts turn you into a talking brochure instead of a trusted advisor. And prospects can smell it from a mile away.

WISDOM

“A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” – Unknown

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Did you know Omaha’s median age is 36.1 and that 34 percent of the population is 24 years old or younger?

Did you know the “world’s largest Hy-Vee” in Gretna employs approximately 500 people?

Did you know Omaha is not the only municipality that uses Tax Increment Financing to encourage development? Sixty-seven of 93 Nebraska counties have at least one active Tax Increment Financing area, spanning 136 municipalities?

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Open Omaha 2025 happening on August 9th: Open Omaha is a free, community-wide open house featuring dozens of local businesses, historic landmarks, sacred sites, creative spaces and other hidden gems. Curated to inspire, built for all ages and free to attend, Open Omaha invites attendees to explore our community— where architecture, design, and innovation come to life.

Hero Fest 2025 happening on August 9th: Join others for Hero Fest 2025, a high-energy, family-friendly celebration honoring the courage and dedication of our nation’s heroes: past, present and future. This one-of-a-kind event brings the community together to recognize military personnel and first responders through live entertainment, hands-on activities and powerful moments of gratitude.

Art Battle Omaha happening on August 9th: Join in for an epic art showdown where creativity knows no bounds! Watch as masterful artists craft stunning masterpieces in just 20 minutes per round, and have your say by voting for the ultimate champion. But the excitement doesn’t stop there—enjoy live entertainment before the show and during breaks to keep the energy high. Check out the Kids’ Art Booth, interactive painting stations and inspiring music performances!

Millwork Moves: Yoga in the Dock happening on August 12th: 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.

Jazz on the Green happening on August 14th: The beloved Omaha tradition brings free summer concerts to Turner Park at Midtown Crossing. Bring your friends and family, your leashed pets, your lawn chairs, snacks and drinks (or enjoy dine-in or take-out from area eateries) and soak in the perfect combination of summer vibes and music from local and touring musicians!

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Jasmyn Goodwin has been appointed executive director of Visit Omaha, the city’s official convention and visitors bureau. She replaces Deborah Ward, who retired earlier this summer. Goodwin has been with Visit Omaha since 2007, starting as a marketing assistant. She most recently served as vice president of marketing and communications. Omaha has seen a 23 percent jump in visitation from key target markets in the past five years.

Lutz, an Omaha-based business solutions firm, has promoted four team members to shareholder and director roles. Adam Austin, CPA, has been promoted to tax shareholder. Alex Lutz has been promoted to tech shareholder. Steve Nebbia, CPA, has been promoted to consulting shareholder. Kayla Schulte, CPA, has been promoted to audit director in the Grand Island office.

Fraser Stryker has welcomed attorney Ann Zebrowski to the firm’s Labor & Employment and Litigation practices. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, insurance defense and employment law matters.

Security National Bank has promoted Krysti Cunningham to executive vice president, Chief Risk Officer, and Scott Irwin to executive vice president, Chief Technology Officer and Consumer Operations Officer.

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.

Mr. Market’s biggest thrill in life is making the Wall Street experts look stupid. And for the past few months, he’s been having a ball. It started when Trump took office and declared he was slapping a gazillion percent tariff on every country in the cosmos. This sent the Wall Street talking heads and the geeks at the Motley Fool into a giant tizzy. Then, to add insult to injury, Trump unleashed Musk and DOGE.

In response, The Wall Street Journal surveyed a gaggle of economist who forecasted a 77 percent chance of a recession in the second half of 2025. Then they turned to the Wall Street equity analysts who predicted that over a third of the stocks in the S&P 500 would see their earnings decline by more than double digits.

So, just to mess with the Wall Street expert’s minds, Mr. Market trashed the indexes in April and May and they plunged more than 20 percent. He didn’t discriminate; he smashed stocks regardless of their ties to foreign goods. Then Trump jumped in and changed the tariff’s effective dates and their amounts. He did everything possible to keep the Wall Street mavens in a constant state of disorientation.

In spite of the self-proclaimed experts forecast of doom and gloom, year to date, the DOW is up 5.51 percent, the S&P up 9.25 percent and the NASDAQ up 12.12 percent. Why the big discrepancy among the anointed three?

Most of it can be attributed to the weighting of the stocks in their respective calculations. The Nasdaq and S&P are weighted by market cap – number of shares outstanding times current market price – and any stock that is even remotely connected to AI has caught the attention of the hedge funds guys, which in turn attracts the high-speed guys, followed by the momentum guys.

As for the Wall Street nerds, how have they fared in the midst of their self-created kafuffle? According to Morningstar, the average large/mid cap actively managed fund is up a puny 6.8 percent.

The heroes in the middle of this David-and-Goliath story are the millions of 401(k) participants whose investment of choice is an S&P or Nasdaq index fund. In April and May, they had a portion of their paycheck withheld – tax exempt – and deposited in their 401(k) account. They then purchased shares at bargain prices, which now have soared as much as 28 percent. So much for the Wall Street aristocrat’s expertise.

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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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