Westgate Plaza (Mangelsen's - NEC 84th & Grover)

[Coyote]

South of Mangelson's in Westgate, the Hancocks will become a Dollar Tree.

[jessep28]

They just built a Dollar Tree at the York interchange. I wonder if they are expanding in the region, or if Dollar Trees naturally multiply over time.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

They just built a Dollar Tree at the York interchange. I wonder if they are expanding in the region, or if Dollar Trees naturally multiply over time.

Dollar Tree has become an absolute hit with the old ladies. They luv the Dollar Tree. I have not seen anything like this since I was a kid back at Woolworths in the 60's and 70's. The old ladies used to about just run you over at the Woolworths at the CrossRoads Mall. I been dropping $50 a month at least at Dollar Tree myself for years

[Uffda]

They just built a Dollar Tree at the York interchange. I wonder if they are expanding in the region, or if Dollar Trees naturally multiply over time.

15 companies that are defying the retail meltdown by opening hundreds of new stores

Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar the top 3


http://www.businessinsider.com/retailer ... ear-2018-1

[bbinks]

They just built a Dollar Tree at the York interchange. I wonder if they are expanding in the region, or if Dollar Trees naturally multiply over time.

15 companies that are defying the retail meltdown by opening hundreds of new stores

Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar the top 3


http://www.businessinsider.com/retailer ... ear-2018-1

Great place for greeting cards. Some of same ones at Wal-Mart, Target... 1.49 instead of 4.49.

[Brad]

Some sort of crosfit place opened up in the the old Kohl's spot just north of Mangelsen's

[labguy]

A Family Dollar is going in right next to Dollar Tree.

[Taco]

A Family Dollar is going in right next to Dollar Tree.

If this isn't a sign of a strip mall in trouble, I don't know what is.

[bbinks]

A Family Dollar is going in right next to Dollar Tree.

Interesting. How does a company compete with itself? Both are owned by Dollar Tree.

[Louie]

A Family Dollar is going in right next to Dollar Tree.

Interesting. How does a company compete with itself? Both are owned by Dollar Tree.

Maybe it's akin to Wal-Mart next to Sam's Club?

[nebugeater]

Is there a possibility that Family $ opens and then $ Tree closes?

[labguy]

A Family Dollar is going in right next to Dollar Tree.

Interesting. How does a company compete with itself? Both are owned by Dollar Tree.

Maybe it's akin to Wal-Mart next to Sam's Club?

My understanding is that they often open both stores in the same location. From what my wife tells me, they are somewhat complementary. Dollar Tree only sells items $1 or less, while Family Dollar sells products at higher price points. You can get larger size/quantity items at Family Dollar because not everything is $1.

[bbinks]

A Family Dollar is going in right next to Dollar Tree.

Interesting. How does a company compete with itself? Both are owned by Dollar Tree.

Maybe it's akin to Wal-Mart next to Sam's Club?

Not so much. Different business models.

[Louie]

A Family Dollar is going in right next to Dollar Tree.

Interesting. How does a company compete with itself? Both are owned by Dollar Tree.

Maybe it's akin to Wal-Mart next to Sam's Club?

Not so much. Different business models.

Well yeah and so are Sam's Club and Wal-Mart. The umbrella of Walton owns both and they place them side by side plenty of times. That was my point.

[nativeomahan]

Between these two places, the indoor shooting range that replaced the cineplex, the huge vacant Shopko building, and the large storage building, the Westgate neighborhood is really classing up.

At least they rebuilt the McDonald’s and the mortuary.

[bigredmed1]

The range is really nice and compared to the Cinema Center at it’s end, a big step up.

[labguy]

There is a sign up on the old Hancock Fabric store that says "ArchWell Health Coming Soon". Looks like they are a primary-care medical clinic for seniors. In their press release, it says they will open 3 locations in Omaha this summer.

https://archwellhealth.com/2023/03/seni ... HFeo-z3g9o

[ThatGuy]

Has anyone heard anything about Westgate Plaza closing? Some guy was trying to tell me the bowling shop owner told him the owner of the plaza is not renewing leases when they come up. So, I guess that could be why this is the last year for the haunted house.

[Brad]

It was purchased last year by a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) out of North Dakota.

https://www.dakotareit.com/

The own several other properties around Omaha.

[ThatGuy]

Aha, so I would assume they are letting all the leases expire so they can do a major remodel or something.

[iamjacobm]

A tenant in a different building in the area is likely taking a decent amount of this building.

[djc311]

Has anyone heard anything about Westgate Plaza closing? Some guy was trying to tell me the bowling shop owner told him the owner of the plaza is not renewing leases when they come up. So, I guess that could be why this is the last year for the haunted house.

I can't see Mangelsen's relocating or closing, unless he wants to retire. Although I am surprised to hear they don't own that strip. I would have thought by now they would have purchased the whole thing so they'd have revenue from the other tenants.

[Ben]

A tenant in a different building in the area is likely taking a decent amount of this building.

Per the Cake Gallery's FB post, it sounds like Westlake ACE Hardware is exploring moving, and taking up a large chunk of the availalble sqft. Others (like Cake Gallery) seem to be caught in limbo waiting for this decision. If ACE doesn't move in, per the post, expect Cake Gallery to rehab and move into one of the larger bays...

[nativeomahan]

The rumors of the Westlake move have been floating through the neighborhood for going on 2 years now, ever since MegaSaver bought the strip mall where Westlake now operates, off 84th and West Center. MegaSaver heavily restricted Westlake’s seasonal use of the parking lot for their lawn and garden sales. Parking can be a real headache there now, especially during the lawn and garden season,

[S.O.Boy]

The owner of Cake Gallery, longtime business in Westgate Plaza, posted this on Facebook 8/23.

NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
Over the past year rumors suggested “The Cake Gallery” was closing, due to the “Westlake Hardware” company taking over our location.
While Westlake Hardware is investigating moving to Westgate Plaza from 84th and Center, the decision to do so, has never been made.
Even if they decide soon, it would probably be a couple of years away.
If that happens, our bakery will most likely relocate to the front of the plaza where the former “Kohll’s” pharmacy resided.
So, if you were wondering why our storefront looks dated, it's not that we're closing, it’s because it doesn’t make sense to invest thousands of dollars to update, in the event we move.
If we are allowed to stay, we have plans to immediately redo everything from the windows to the interior to our displays and about everything else you can think of.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The Cake Gallery has been a part of this community for 56 years, and we plan to keep getting better with age. It’s our intentions to serve your great-great grandchildren…the lord willing.

[bigredmed1]

Recently, I was at a grad party where the big sheet cake was from Cake Gallery. Just delicious.

[ChadJK]

I have fond wedding planning memories of going to the local cake places and get sample cakes to choose from. I can remember walking out with a half dozen boxes stacked all with tiny cakes in them. It was the best kind of decision making. Though, ultimately, I think we got our cake from the now defunct "The Cakery" in Rockbrook Village instead of Cake Gallery.

[nativeomahan]

Our wedding cake had its origins at the Cake Gallery. It was delicious.

[Padre]

Cake Gallery is moving out of Westgate Plaza and Westlake Ace Hardware is moving in.

https://www.ketv.com/article/the-cake-g ... n/60300290

[Brad]

Cake Gallery is moving out of Westgate Plaza and Westlake Ace Hardware is moving in.

https://www.ketv.com/article/the-cake-g ... n/60300290

Starbucks also moving in:
Parcel ID (PIN) - 2507750973
Building Permit: BLD-23-13264
Starbucks Coffee #78330

[omaha79]

While I feel bad that they are getting evicted, it's just business. The strip owner sees an opportunity to fill numerous empty bays at once and probably generate more revenue than they are making now. sucks that they lose their spot after 58 years, but the owner kind of sounded unhinged on their social media posts. and saying things like, "due to our non-profit mentality, we don't have the reserve funds to weather a relocation." I'm sorry, but to me, that's just bad business management. You are in a specialty cake baking industry, and your product isn't cheap/free. How are you operating as a "non-profit"? I get the idea if you're treating your employees better than average, but most businesses would hold onto some type of emergency fund for any eventuality like this. What if the whole plaza just burned down one day? Maybe they'll get people to buy gift cards to help get them moving as they are asking. But, I just have a hard time having too much sympathy if you don't have anything in savings for something like this after 58 years.

[NEDodger]

While I feel bad that they are getting evicted, it's just business. The strip owner sees an opportunity to fill numerous empty bays at once and probably generate more revenue than they are making now. sucks that they lose their spot after 58 years, but the owner kind of sounded unhinged on their social media posts. and saying things like, "due to our non-profit mentality, we don't have the reserve funds to weather a relocation." I'm sorry, but to me, that's just bad business management. You are in a specialty cake baking industry, and your product isn't cheap/free. How are you operating as a "non-profit"? I get the idea if you're treating your employees better than average, but most businesses would hold onto some type of emergency fund for any eventuality like this. What if the whole plaza just burned down one day? Maybe they'll get people to buy gift cards to help get them moving as they are asking. But, I just have a hard time having too much sympathy if you don't have anything in savings for something like this after 58 years.

Agreed. How is this any different than any millions of other businesses? After 58 years, there had to have been some profits. “Non-profit mentality”? Non-profits build up cash reserves for rainy days.

[Louie]

While I feel bad that they are getting evicted, it's just business. The strip owner sees an opportunity to fill numerous empty bays at once and probably generate more revenue than they are making now. sucks that they lose their spot after 58 years, but the owner kind of sounded unhinged on their social media posts. and saying things like, "due to our non-profit mentality, we don't have the reserve funds to weather a relocation." I'm sorry, but to me, that's just bad business management. You are in a specialty cake baking industry, and your product isn't cheap/free. How are you operating as a "non-profit"? I get the idea if you're treating your employees better than average, but most businesses would hold onto some type of emergency fund for any eventuality like this. What if the whole plaza just burned down one day? Maybe they'll get people to buy gift cards to help get them moving as they are asking. But, I just have a hard time having too much sympathy if you don't have anything in savings for something like this after 58 years.

Agreed. How is this any different than any millions of other businesses? After 58 years, there had to have been some profits. “Non-profit mentality”? Non-profits build up cash reserves for rainy days.

They also clearly stated in their post in August that they intended to relocate. Did you blow through your paltry reserves that quickly? Or were you just full of it?

[bbinks]

Cake Gallery is moving out of Westgate Plaza and Westlake Ace Hardware is moving in.

https://www.ketv.com/article/the-cake-g ... n/60300290

What's going into the old Ace location?

[EricHaley]

Cake Gallery is moving out of Westgate Plaza and Westlake Ace Hardware is moving in.

https://www.ketv.com/article/the-cake-g ... n/60300290

What's going into the old Ace location?

Mega Saver expansion

[nativeomahan]

Cake Gallery is moving out of Westgate Plaza and Westlake Ace Hardware is moving in.

https://www.ketv.com/article/the-cake-g ... n/60300290

Starbucks also moving in:
Parcel ID (PIN) - 2507750973
Building Permit: BLD-23-13264
Starbucks Coffee #78330

That is one part of town that strangely has no freestanding Starbuck’s.

[nativeomahan]

While I feel bad that they are getting evicted, it's just business. The strip owner sees an opportunity to fill numerous empty bays at once and probably generate more revenue than they are making now. sucks that they lose their spot after 58 years, but the owner kind of sounded unhinged on their social media posts. and saying things like, "due to our non-profit mentality, we don't have the reserve funds to weather a relocation." I'm sorry, but to me, that's just bad business management. You are in a specialty cake baking industry, and your product isn't cheap/free. How are you operating as a "non-profit"? I get the idea if you're treating your employees better than average, but most businesses would hold onto some type of emergency fund for any eventuality like this. What if the whole plaza just burned down one day? Maybe they'll get people to buy gift cards to help get them moving as they are asking. But, I just have a hard time having too much sympathy if you don't have anything in savings for something like this after 58 years.

OMG you should see how many people on the Neighborhood app are clutching their pearls about the mean old landlord wanting to upgrade his ancient strip mall, and “forcing” a bakery to search high and low for some place, somewhere that might take them in. Apparently the similarities to Jesus and Mary not being able to find an inn are present here.
Bel Air Plaza is frankly located in a much more highly trafficked neighborhood and it surprises me that the bakery didn’t relocate years ago.
And yes, the owner’s wailing about being cast onto the street with not even 12 months notice seems strange to the point of being just plain bizarre.
Mind you, we ordered our wedding cake from the Cake Gallery so they are very good at baking cakes. What they don’t seem to be good at is running a “business”.
The fact that the bakery is encouraging future customers to “buy into” the business by purchasing gift cards seems to me to be a flashing red light warning sign that the 58 year old business is on shaky financial ground. Especially given that they are a specialty bakery that people only use on rare occasions. We haven’t ordered anything from them since 2010, because we are still on our first marriage.

[omaha79]

While I feel bad that they are getting evicted, it's just business. The strip owner sees an opportunity to fill numerous empty bays at once and probably generate more revenue than they are making now. sucks that they lose their spot after 58 years, but the owner kind of sounded unhinged on their social media posts. and saying things like, "due to our non-profit mentality, we don't have the reserve funds to weather a relocation." I'm sorry, but to me, that's just bad business management. You are in a specialty cake baking industry, and your product isn't cheap/free. How are you operating as a "non-profit"? I get the idea if you're treating your employees better than average, but most businesses would hold onto some type of emergency fund for any eventuality like this. What if the whole plaza just burned down one day? Maybe they'll get people to buy gift cards to help get them moving as they are asking. But, I just have a hard time having too much sympathy if you don't have anything in savings for something like this after 58 years.

OMG you should see how many people on the Neighborhood app are clutching their pearls about the mean old landlord wanting to upgrade his ancient strip mall, and “forcing” a bakery to search high and low for some place, somewhere that might take them in. Apparently the similarities to Jesus and Mary not being able to find an inn are present here.
Bel Air Plaza is frankly located in a much more highly trafficked neighborhood and it surprises me that the bakery didn’t relocate years ago.
And yes, the owner’s wailing about being cast onto the street with not even 12 months notice seems strange to the point of being just plain bizarre.
Mind you, we ordered our wedding cake from the Cake Gallery so they are very good at baking cakes. What they don’t seem to be good at is running a “business”.
The fact that the bakery is encouraging future customers to “buy into” the business by purchasing gift cards seems to me to be a flashing red light warning sign that the 58 year old business is on shaky financial ground. Especially given that they are a specialty bakery that people only use on rare occasions. We haven’t ordered anything from them since 2010, because we are still on our first marriage.

Yes. I don't think I'd buy gift cards as that could be a shaky proposition. We did go there and buy a cake this weekend for an event. So, I have no issue supporting. It just gets tiring in this day and age of social media that no business seems capable of tending to their own house and that anytime there is a struggle, said business owner takes little responsibility, but instead issues a "call to action" wanting crowdfunding. If I went to a local business wanting them to help me buy a new car because mine is old, I wouldn't get a favorable response. Why should the inverse be an expectation? I just think personal responsibility and accountability is somewhat out the window these days and if you call a business owner on it, you'll get a tired diatribe on "you don't know how hard this is. you don't do what I do." If it's that hard, if it's the equivalent of rolling a boulder uphill for eternity, then maybe try something else?

Either way, I do think they make a great product. I wish them well and hope they find a new place. Same time, One can also say Westgate Plaza is in dire need of a refresh. That entire North wing is vacant and falling into disarray. For the overall good of the property, The Ace Hardware probably isn't a bad thing.

[FishFighter92]

Agreed, this seems like a big win for the plaza. Cake Shop gets a shiny new store (it's currently pretty dirty and rundown, which the owner lady explains) and Ace Hardware, assumedly, get's a bigger spot with better parking. Cake lady should be hyping up the move. "We're going to have the newest and best cake shop in Omaha and we will be able to make more cakes than ever"

[nativeomahan]

Agreed, this seems like a big win for the plaza. Cake Shop gets a shiny new store (it's currently pretty dirty and rundown, which the owner lady explains) and Ace Hardware, assumedly, get's a bigger spot with better parking. Cake lady should be hyping up the move. "We're going to have the newest and best cake shop in Omaha and we will be able to make more cakes than ever"

Indeed! I’m sure that their regular customers will be excited to see their shiny new digs. And they will probably garner lots of new customers in West Omaha with their move.