Plan in the works for Downtown Omaha Grocery stores

[MTO]

Oh I think we all know a store will succeed and is over due. I just want to know why no one has pulled the trigger. Don't give me the numbers thing. Doesn't stop them from putting them up just out side the burbs.

[Finn]

As I alluded to in another post, there is more that these grocers are concerned with than population numbers. They are looking at types of households (ex - married households show stability and disposable income), age, household income, education attainment, etc. This is not a business of "build it and they will come." Grocers spend a lot of time and money studying and deciphering demographic data. Lonnie makes a good point about grocers and retail in surrounding areas as grocers don't want to cannibalize their other stores and are very leery of competitive stores and trying to lure customers away.

We keep hearing the same arguments that DT can support a grocer with no validity and the lame rant that developers need to be progressive and try something new downtown. Experts have the numbers and are studying them and it should not be too far off when someone will make such an investment downtown. Be patient. I used to state that the new investment activity (especially residential) in downtown will have to be proven in the market. That is a work in progress. Let the condo projects fill up, let more disposable income come to the area, let a diverse population begin to take shape (less investers buying the condos). When many of the condos are full and more are announced, new resaurant options are avaialbale, and the area is more active after 5 pm; grocers and more retail will come. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that downtown lacked much of an identity with few residents and nothing outside of the old market open after 5 or 6 pm.!

[Big E]

I think another thing people need to keep in mind is downtown would support a grocer, but doesn't NEED a 27 aisle megastore (nor would I want one, since I drive by 20 on my commute every day). Urban dwellers are much more likely to make three visits a week and spend $25 each time rather than filling the SUV with 40 bags every other Sunday.

-Big E

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Exactly, E.

[BRoss]

Sounds like multiple developers are looking to bring a grocery store downtown. Kind of disheartening to see we were talking about this almost 20 years ago though. However sounds like they may be close.

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-mayo ... n/61163561

Stothert says many developers, not just White Lotus who are developing Civic Square, are looking to bring a grocery store downtown.

"There's several developers working on it with projects already underway. The deal is not done yet and they're very close so I'm not going to be the one to say," Stothert said.

Last year, our KETV Investigation into grocery store access in Omaha revealed that some parts of downtown are recognized as a 'food desert' by the federal government.

With new housing, Omaha plans to add 30,000 new residents and jobs to downtown over the next 30 years.

[Garrett]

Hit it, tuna.

[Linkin5]

Interesting that they were showing the base of the Central Park towers when talking about a new grocery store.

[Stvbec74]

KETV’s story was nothing new. It’s like a skip in a broken record.

[skinzfan23]

KETV’s story was nothing new. It’s like a skip in a broken record.

Yes, I was looking for some added detail, but like most news these days, just the same old regurgitated stuff.

[nebport5]

It sounds like White Lotus' Horse is a distant third or more. Or possibly a significant aspect of getting Civic Square off the ground relates to landing a grocery deal?

Also interesting quote from Jay Noddle about it now being in the hands of developers to land deals...being that he's one of those developers.

[almighty_tuna]

Boom!

[thenewguy]

Personally, I think a grocer in the base of CPP is a better location. I feel like that's too much of a sticking point for this development, if that's the case, because they could have a substantial high rise and utilize a larger retail presence onsite. I've got to think that a target would do well, because of its proximity to Creighton and downtown. And certainly, with other developments happening along the streetcar, nowhere is really too far from it.

[halgy]

IMO, the grocery store needs to either be on the streetcar route, or in the middle of a lot of housing, to promote walkability. The civic site is neither. Sure, it is possible to walk to this lot, but most people won't. It would suck to get a full grocery store downtown after all this time, only for most people to still drive there.

Part of the updated CPP would be a good location, though I'm not sure if the space/logistics are suitable. But somewhere on Farnam/Harney between the Old Market and Downtown would be good. So would Lot D, assuming the streetcar gets extended north on 10th. I'd prefer closer downtown, but I don't see where it would fit without major redevelopment.

[MadJack]

I eventually see a grocery store somewhere along the Harney-Farnam corridor as well as a second one on the south side of Cuming at 17th or 16th.

[NEDodger]

I don’t know if CPP is a potential landing spot or if that was generic footage KETV was using, but the space should be available. The base was a former mall, after all.

[Garrett]

Sullivans is remaining in their space, but who knows with the addition how much more ground level space would be added.

[skip]

Sullivans is remaining in their space, but who knows with the addition how much more ground level space would be added.

ground level space will be available all along 16th street. could be a good spot for a grocery store.

[buildomaha]

Ground level of the old Parkfair Mall while keeping the parking above would be a perfect setup. Lots of Trader Joe’s in urban areas have this setup.

[ita]

Sullivans is remaining in their space, but who knows with the addition how much more ground level space would be added.

ground level space will be available all along 16th street. could be a good spot for a grocery store.

We should find out, or at least have a better idea about, what they have planned for the ground floor of the Duo. Their TIF application is up for planning board review in July.

[nebport5]

From KETV's re: post Billie Eilish...

Streetcar officials get a taste of what's to come after sold-out Billie Eilish show

The article is largely about the streetcar, but...

...it's a nice day, they want to spend the whole day in this part of the city exploring or going to visit the places that they've come to know and really enjoy," Noddle said.

The streetcar is a piece of the downtown puzzle — and a game the streetcar president says will include multiple small grocery stores on track to move in, with more developers taking interest in the project.

[nebugeater]

From KETV's re: post Billie Eilish...

Streetcar officials get a taste of what's to come after sold-out Billie Eilish show

The article is largely about the streetcar, but...

...it's a nice day, they want to spend the whole day in this part of the city exploring or going to visit the places that they've come to know and really enjoy," Noddle said.

The streetcar is a piece of the downtown puzzle — and a game the streetcar president says will include multiple small grocery stores on track to move in, with more developers taking interest in the project.

Multiple small stores scream Convenience store to me. Need one reasonably sized store that people can get to.

[almighty_tuna]

Multiple small stores scream Convenience store to me. Need one reasonably sized store that people can get to.

For sure. Need something with a proper meat counter, produce section, etc. Not some boutique shizz, just a grocery store. It's not hard.

[nebport5]

From KETV's re: post Billie Eilish...

Streetcar officials get a taste of what's to come after sold-out Billie Eilish show

The article is largely about the streetcar, but...

...it's a nice day, they want to spend the whole day in this part of the city exploring or going to visit the places that they've come to know and really enjoy," Noddle said.

The streetcar is a piece of the downtown puzzle — and a game the streetcar president says will include multiple small grocery stores on track to move in, with more developers taking interest in the project.

Multiple small stores scream Convenience store to me. Need one reasonably sized store that people can get to.

Not necessarily. If the average T.J.'s is 14k sq ft that would still be considered small. And frankly I'd rather have two smaller stores than one big one. One T.J.'s or similar wouldn't keep me from driving out west for a more comprehensive selection.

Whole Foods just started rolling out their Whole Foods Market Daily Shop concept in NYC earlier this year. They are to be between 7-14k sq ft. Supposedly there are plans to go national with them at some point. I think something like this would be perfect for one of the Duo spaces and a nice compliment to a potential T.J.'s.

[skinzfan23]

And as always, people in the comments section complaining about the info on the streetcar, saying that we should just be celebrating getting an artist like this to come to Omaha, but city leaders always need to make it about themselves.

Jay Noddle was down there to prob get input and see what the transportation could do for an event like this. Although even once the streetcar is complete, people will be complaining b/c it can't move a large group of people fast enough (although that is never the intention of a streetcar)

I guess you just can't win with the general public sometimes.

[nebport5]

And as always, people in the comments section complaining about the info on the streetcar, saying that we should just be celebrating getting an artist like this to come to Omaha, but city leaders always need to make it about themselves.

Jay Noddle was down there to prob get input and see what the transportation could do for an event like this. Although even once the streetcar is complete, people will be complaining b/c it can't move a large group of people fast enough (although that is never the intention of a streetcar)

I guess you just can't win with the general public sometimes.

Ironically(as most everyone here knows) the streetcar and associated development will likely yield more such artists.

[djc311]

From KETV's re: post Billie Eilish...

Streetcar officials get a taste of what's to come after sold-out Billie Eilish show

The article is largely about the streetcar, but...

...it's a nice day, they want to spend the whole day in this part of the city exploring or going to visit the places that they've come to know and really enjoy," Noddle said.

The streetcar is a piece of the downtown puzzle — and a game the streetcar president says will include multiple small grocery stores on track to move in, with more developers taking interest in the project.

Multiple small stores scream Convenience store to me. Need one reasonably sized store that people can get to.

Mega Saver has agreed to a minimum of 4 locations between 10th Street and 20th St... LOL

[Omaha Cowboy]

And as always, people in the comments section complaining about the info on the streetcar, saying that we should just be celebrating getting an artist like this to come to Omaha, but city leaders always need to make it about themselves.

I guess you just can't win with the general public sometimes.

Yeah.. That n was an eye roll moment for me as well …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[djc311]

And as always, people in the comments section complaining about the info on the streetcar, saying that we should just be celebrating getting an artist like this to come to Omaha, but city leaders always need to make it about themselves.

I guess you just can't win with the general public sometimes.

Yeah.. That n was an eye roll moment for me as well …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

You could hand out $1 million in cash to everyone and there would be the 1% that asked why it wasn't $2 million... or paid in small bills... etc. Makes you wonder if they ever smile about anything.

[Busguy2010]

Multiple small stores scream Convenience store to me. Need one reasonably sized store that people can get to.

For sure. Need something with a proper meat counter, produce section, etc. Not some boutique shizz, just a grocery store. It's not hard.

Hy-vee or Whole Foods or bust.

[Omaha Cowboy]

And as always, people in the comments section complaining about the info on the streetcar, saying that we should just be celebrating getting an artist like this to come to Omaha, but city leaders always need to make it about themselves.

I guess you just can't win with the general public sometimes.

Yeah.. That n was an eye roll moment for me as well …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

You could hand out $1 million in cash to everyone and there would be the 1% that asked why it wasn't $2 million... or paid in small bills... etc. Makes you wonder if they ever smile about anything.

LOL.. Agreed…

Ciao..LiO…Peace