A fairly significant acquisition. Not the location I would have expected... but hey... here's to 'suburban infill'. This sort of makes me wonder about that Tony Roma's space. I wonder if it's still slated to become a gas station, as we speculated.
Omaha World Herald wrote:
Dave & Buster's to offer food, fun
As part of the ongoing redevelopment of the former Gordmans building at 132nd Street and West Center Road, a new food and entertainment venue - the first of its kind in Nebraska- will open later this year.
Construction of Dave & Buster's restaurant began in December, said Jerry Gordman, president of Gordman Properties. The 27,809-square-foot eatery, which features a menu of steak, seafood and pasta as well as interactive games, is scheduled to open this summer, Gordman said.
The arrival of Dave & Buster's will bring the former 102,000-square-foot Gordmans building to 60 percent occupancy, Gordman said. About 43,000 square feet of leasable space remains in the building.
Big Lots, the nation's largest close-out retailer, opened a 30,450-square-foot store there in April.
"It is our intent to develop the building and make sure we have the right combination of tenants," said Gordman, who described the restaurant as an "exciting and unique addition to the Omaha scene."
Bryan Spain, senior vice president of procurement and development for Dave & Buster's, said in a press release that the company was pleased with the potential for the new location because it's "at the center of several nearby residential areas and offers great accessibility to our Omaha customers."
Most Dave & Buster's restaurants are in major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis. Gordman said its arrival in Omaha says a lot about the city's reputation in the retail market.
Gordman said he believed the Dallas-based restaurant chain was attracted to the location because of the outstanding demographics of the surrounding area. The population within a five-mile radius exceeds 217,000, he said, and West Center Road from 120th Street to 133rd Street has an outstanding collection of major and small retailers.
Founded in 1982, Dave & Buster's is an innovator in the restaurant/entertainment category, offering an extensive assortment of interactive attractions, including pool tables, shuffleboard, virtual reality and traditional carnival-style amusement games of skill.
There are 34 locations in the United States and Canada. I've heard the KC forumers express a desire to see one of these.
This is an AMAZING acquisition for Omaha! It's a very cool place. An arcade with a bar in it. There's even bouncers on the weekends to check IDs.
Does this affect the previously announced arcade/bar from an Illinois company that was to go in the renovated building just E of Creighton on the N side of 480 downtown?
Look at their HISTORY page and that is some nice company to be in for locations. I wonder if the site has not been updated or have they not added any locations since 2002? Are they starting a growth spurt?
On a side note, based on there web site if I was trying to describe this to a person that had net seen anything about they I would call it a Chucky Cheese for the over 21 crowd!
this is a very cool pickup. Like the article said they are mostly in larger metros...their smallest current metro is Austin or Columbus (whichever is smallest).
I see the KC comment in the original article, I assume that was commentary? The area by the nascar track, NFM, Cabelas, etc. has a contract for a Dave & Busters. Not sure on when they are opening.
These things always build in the high demographic, far out suburbs, is that where it's going in Omaha?
Very fun place if you've never been although pretty expensive on drinks and games. Good entertainment option to have.
Sorry to dissent from the excitement but I don't think this is a great catch. It surely isn't as big as some of the higher-end restaurants Omaha has recently attained. This is a video arcade center. I have been to one in the DC suburbs several times and it is usually empty at lunch. I'm sure they will be a novelty for a while, but I think this fad will wear thin before too long. I remember the days of WC Franks and Gizmos in Omaha - long gone.
I think this is a great catch. The one in Denver is great and packs them in. Too bad it could not have located near the Old Market. The arcade/facility that is going up in I believe the former Tip Top building, is that a similar type establishment?
The arcade that is going up as part of the Tip Top project will actually be in a new, separate singel level building adjoing the Tip Top building. It will be a sports bar and include games, audio, video and wireless technology. Among the interactive gaming systems will be a three-quarter scale NASCAR racing game. Check eOmaha's site for more info under Devlopment - Project in Progress - Tip Top Building.
The high end places are great, but not everone wants that and not every ocasion calls for that. THis place looks like a nice balance. Why would getting something new to the market that fits a new nitch be a downer? If it is worth its salt it will survive and bring in the people. You must like so think there is something good about it if you have been there and there a time or three.
No, actually I did not care for it, it wasn't my choice when a group of co-workers wanted to go to lunch.
I do not think there is anything wrong with getting a D&Bs. I just don't think it is a big catch for Omaha. If it fits a niche, fine with me. But I'm not going to get excited when a new Burger King comes in to fit a niche either. But, there is nothing wrong with balance, it just isn't my cup of tea.
We went to the one here in Chicago for an employee outing. It was alright. The games aren't that great though...a lot of the same games at a regular arcade. Basically, it's an arcade with pool and a bar and grill attatched. I personally like ESPN Zone much better. The Dave and Busters is a nice facility though, just not my cup of tea...LOL I'm sure it'll do well in Omaha and is quite a catch I'd say...
Whether people like Dave and Buster's or not.. this is pretty big news, and more than anything.. it makes a statement about where we're headed as far as retail and entertainment are concerned. Not only that.. but it's an attention getter for other companies that are looking to set foot here or who've overlooked us before. I really think 2005 is gonna be a big year for announcements. Let's hope this rolling stone gathers no moss...
God created alcohol to keep the Irish from taking over the world!
Does anyone know, or has anyone seen their construction plans for the Gordman's Building? It is a rather odd location considering the building is about 20 years old (and shows it) and was originally built to accomodate one tennant instead of three.
There's obviously going to be some major changes to the front... given there's only the entrance on the Big Lots! side... and everything else is brick.
Say what you want about whether you like it or not... but it's these kinds of high visibility establishments which dictate whether people think you've got 'cool stuff' or not. I don't really like Cheesecake Factory any more than any number of other chain restaurants... but tell someone that you have one in your city (well, at least cities OUR size)... and they're impressed.
I'm curious what the Inplay people think about Dave & Buster's coming to town. I would have to guess that they weren't expecting it. No doubt it will be something of a challenge drawing people to the north side of downtown. I am confident enough development will eventually come here to make it a destination... but for the 'pioneers' making staking claim so early on... it may take some time to establish themselves.
Most Dave & Buster's restaurants are in major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis. Gordman said its arrival in Omaha says a lot about the city's reputation in the retail market.
YEAH!!!
Very cool news. And yay for "suburban infill"!
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
its just such a stupid location though, it is right across the street from my parents house so i grew up there. There is no visibility from any major street, the building is so out dated, and they are connected to a big lots. They better do some heavy duty advertising because i dont think anyone besides us know it is going there.
^I didn't even know that place existed until my girlfriend took me there to take advantage of the close-out sale. But like you said, they will need to advertise and give directions. But, I think people will be able to find it. They always find a way.
(do they still have any of these around the country?)
I'm actually hoping this Dave & Buster's might actually brings some badly needed activity to this otherwise overlooked portion of 132nd and West Center. Of course it'll be a step back if a gas station indeed replaces the former Tony Roma's.
Last edited by eomaha on Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Boy did hearing that name bring back a ton of flashbacks.