North Omaha is on the brink of a transformative development with the anticipated arrival of a nonprofit grocery store along Lake Street. This initiative is set to reshape the area by providing much-needed access to fresh produce and employment opportunities.
The Omaha City Council recently gave unanimous approval to a series of resolutions, enabling the proposed project to advance. The new grocery store, which will encompass nearly 25,000 square feet and feature an outdoor plaza, will take over a currently vacant lot.
The Heart Ministry Center, a North Omaha nonprofit, will own and operate the store. Known for its array of social services, including a food pantry, a Fresh Start job training program, and a free health clinic, the center is expanding its impact with this venture. In 2020, it launched its first social enterprise with a self-service laundromat that employs trainees and offers free laundry days.
During a recent community meeting, Heart Ministry Center CEO Damany Rahn highlighted the successes of their past enterprises, such as a florist and screenprinting business, as motivations for this new project. “It’s about putting people back to work – specifically for our Fresh Start graduates,” Rahn stated. “For the grocery store, we’ll specifically target community members, and providing goods and services in the community that are really necessary. This project is really, really special for us, and for this community.”
Despite the presence of corner and convenience stores in the vicinity, options for fresh produce, meats, and ready-to-eat items are scarce. The closest full-service grocery stores are located up to three miles away.
Rahn expressed optimism about the store’s location in North Omaha, particularly on the historic North 24th Street corridor, once known as the “Street of Dreams.” “Hopefully we can help in bringing back what the Street of Dreams was. Just doing our little part to be a part of that,” he said.
The grocery store will distinguish itself by not selling tobacco or alcohol, and it will avoid the “skill games” often found in other stores. Additionally, a community engagement room will be available on-site, offering services like blood pressure checks and connections to other local organizations.
