What's Missing in the Old Market?

[BN1]

Strolled the old market on Mothers Day. It was decently busy in the shops and restaurants, but there are a fair amount of empty spaces around.

Housing in the area has grown, more people are returning to the office. The new Mutual tower and the streetcar should bring a lot more people downtown everyday.

What do you think would round out the offerings in the Old Market and make it more attractive for locals and tourists alike?

[Stan]

I think what would benefit the area the most is to close off the streets. Just from that center point at 11th and howard between Harney and Jackson and 10th to 12th.

[ChadJK]

I'd like to see more specialty retail that isn't secondhand/vintage/thrift.

Perhaps a few affordable no frills food places. Like a place to walk-up and get a slice for a few bucks.

[JDirte]

1. An actual market. Riverfront market will be a very nice add as long as they do it right.

2. Might be tough with our weather. More open air bars that are meant to be outside. Similar to Big Grove.

3. More breweries

[NEDodger]

- Howard Street being pedestrian-only on the weekends.

- Late-night dessert stop for like slices of pie, a cup of coffee, some pastries, etc..

- Even if it’s just a one or two screen place, a small movie theater. Starting to rain during the day? Pop in to see a movie for a few hours. Had dinner and drinks? Pop in to see the latest big budget release. Just something a little different than food, bar, and specialty shop.

[CrankyOldDude]

What's missing? A bunch of ugly red brick buildings.

[nebport5]

-A non pretentious diner that serves late.

-A soup and salad place or another quality deli.

-A quick on the go breakfast option that isn't $15-20. Something like Know Good.

-Dry cleaner

[nebport5]

I'd like to see more specialty retail that isn't secondhand/vintage/thrift.

Perhaps a few affordable no frills food places. Like a place to walk-up and get a slice for a few bucks.

Yes. Specialty retail that also isn't novelty junk.

And non-chain quick casual food like Amsterdam Falafel or maybe a burrito place.

[skinzfan23]

I actually don't really want a pedestrian only area. Right now, traffic moves slow enough that it isn't an issue. I am just afraid if its closed off, people won't visit as much for fear of lack of parking.

I would like some quick/cheap options as well. Used to be Pepperjax, but I think they have gotten pretty expensive for what it is.

I have mentioned this many times in the park thread, but I would think that someone other than food trucks would like to capitalize on all the extra people that visit the parks for grabbing a quick bite/sandwich.

[Louie]

I actually don't really want a pedestrian only area. Right now, traffic moves slow enough that it isn't an issue. I am just afraid if its closed off, people won't visit as much for fear of lack of parking.

I would like some quick/cheap options as well. Used to be Pepperjax, but I think they have gotten pretty expensive for what it is.

I have mentioned this many times in the park thread, but I would think that someone other than food trucks would like to capitalize on all the extra people that visit the parks for grabbing a quick bite/sandwich.

Both really good points. Maybe only a closing a block of Howard would be enough, like from 10th to 11th?

And yes, the selection of fast/cheap food is just not where it should be.

[BIGO88]

I feel like the Old Market is the best people watching in the city and we have 0 roof top bars, I would take a couple of those. I think the new Gardens will be a nice addition. Has there ever been an official announcement on whats going on with the Fairmont Creamery building? That will help.

[Brad]

I feel like the Old Market is the best people watching in the city and we have 0 roof top bars, I would take a couple of those.

The Upstream had one between its upstairs and the Spaghetti Works building. But I would agree, more would be nice.

[nebport5]

On the more casual, less expensive food possibilities I recall back in the day there'd be a food truck on one of the parking lot corners. It's nice having the food trucks at the park but there certainly could be a couple in the O.M. proper. Sure there's Zaytuna typically around 13th & Howard and occasionally the pizza truck on 10th St, but it might be nice to have a few dedicated spots on the interior of the O.M. I don't think most of the other restaurants would really see them as a threat.



As far as pedestrian only streets there's a whole thread on that topic here.

[GenX]

I’d like to see the parking garage at 10th & Jackson redeveloped in a way that still provides parking, but better activates the area for pedestrians. Maybe something like a garage on the southern portion but retail and mixed use on the northern half.

[OverlookedFarm]

What's missing? A bunch of ugly red brick buildings.

Very true!

The Old Market resides as some mystical place in the minds of those who live in the region and may have spent their formative years driving to Omaha to hang out there. They yearn for another plate of Spaghetti Works finest. Even working downtown, the Old Market wasn't on the radar for anything because it only offered maybe a few restaurant choices over lunch. Yes, it would be nice if there was a "market", and not a bunch of cheezy tschochkie shoppes. The rolling gun battles and cuttings at night are also a turnoff.

There hasn't been a desire to visit that area of town in probably 2 decades for me (I fully realize, that's just me, not you)

[Louie]

What's missing? A bunch of ugly red brick buildings.

Very true!

The Old Market resides as some mystical place in the minds of those who live in the region and may have spent their formative years driving to Omaha to hang out there. They yearn for another plate of Spaghetti Works finest. Even working downtown, the Old Market wasn't on the radar for anything because it only offered maybe a few restaurant choices over lunch. Yes, it would be nice if there was a "market", and not a bunch of cheezy tschochkie shoppes. The rolling gun battles and cuttings at night are also a turnoff.

There hasn't been a desire to visit that area of town in probably 2 decades for me (I fully realize, that's just me, not you)

He was talking about jobber's canyon...

[Louie]

I’d like to see the parking garage at 10th & Jackson redeveloped in a way that still provides parking, but better activates the area for pedestrians. Maybe something like a garage on the southern portion but retail and mixed use on the northern half.

I've never fully understood that garage, it's only two floors and it's prime real estate in the OM. You'd think you would do something more worthwhile with it. They could redevelop the whole block into commercial/residential and then build a regular size parking garage on parking lot directly east of it.

[OverlookedFarm]

He was talking about jobber's canyon...

Yes, I know.

[nebugeater]

Bring bake the Firehouse Dinner theater or somthing like it

[GrowUpFrances]

I agree with many. More rooftops, more patios. Some sort of comedy or entertainment would be great.

Some landscaping or development to connect the park and the Old Market on 11th street....if all the parking lots east of 11th could be developed. Or if the patio space outside Orange Theory could be put to use somehow. Maybe an Old Market archway/signage to make it more inviting.

Don't know if it's possible, but closing an alley or two to traffic and making more pedestrian friendly could be cool.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Bring bake the Firehouse Dinner theater or somthing like it

Agreed man. Also, I completely miss the Howard Street Tavern. It was such a cool spot with a ton of great music shows..

Bring ‘em both back!…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[NEDodger]

Maybe an Old Market archway/signage to make it more inviting.

That would be amazing. Places like the Gaslamp District in San Diego have this, to great effect, as it’s also a magnet for tourist photos. This would:

- probably give the Old Market extra visibility because people would be posting to social media pictures of the arch/sign

- better establish the Old Market as an official “attraction”

- provide a nice complement to the Arch at Gene Leahy Mall

[GrowUpFrances]

Yes! Agree x3!

[BIGO88]

I thought the Downtown Alley Alive project they did a few weeks ago was pretty cool. Add some lights, put some patios facing the alley ways, maybe some art/vendors in between and super walkable. I think it would add another element and make the Old market feel much bigger.

https://omahadowntown.org/downtown-alley-alive/

[GrowUpFrances]

I thought the Downtown Alley Alive project they did a few weeks ago was pretty cool. Add some lights, put some patios facing the alley ways, maybe some art/vendors in between and super walkable. I think it would add another element and make the Old market feel much bigger.

https://omahadowntown.org/downtown-alley-alive/

That’s awesome! Wish I had known about that. Thanks for sharing.

[nebport5]

Bring bake the Firehouse Dinner theater or somthing like it

Agreed man. Also, I completely miss the Howard Street Tavern. It was such a cool spot with a ton of great music shows..

Bring ‘em both back!…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Wow, Howard St Tavern takes me back...

While it's cool that Toad's does the Sunday night jazz thing and Harney St has weekly shows, it would be nice to have a venue that has live music with the regularity that Howard St did.