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• AUGUST 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal
Shopping/Mall Space Directory
A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal
August 21, 2020
Far from retail as we once knew it, stakes are high to support local businesses by Michelle Leach Bohemia’s Tiny House Bar, features a driveWithout diminishing very real and visi- up window for to-go orders. ble challenges, owners, centers and partners “It was an ingenious idea,” she said. “The remain hopeful about experiential bar mascot, Ned the dog, is often concepts that may never have there to say ‘hello’ to customers.” occurred if not for the present More broadly, Mason noted situation. there will always be a demand to “One of my favorite things shop offline and go out to eat and is seeing how the bar operators the desire for great experiences created packaged liquor options is strong. at the beginning of COVID and “To survive and grow, the then quickly shifted to individual retailers will have to be able to to-go drink sales when the Govprovide those stellar experiences ernor allowed that change,” said for customers when they are open PJ Morgan Real Estate Sales and again at full capacity,” she said. Mason Leasing Agent Colleen Mason. “It The work-from-home shift has required them to be quick on their feet and created strong demand for furnishing and decshift operations.” orating homes differently, for instance, and One of Mason’s favorite examples, Little Mason said as people go back into the world
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Diane Heyne, marketing director at Rockbrook Village. “full-force” there will be changes in how that they can continue to service their clients they work, shop and interact with each other. with remote employees.” Berkshire Hathaway HS/Ambassador As offices downsize with senior manageReal Estate Associate Broker – Commercial ment and admin staff, a conference room, Real Estate Gary Kuklin said entrepreneurs and a few community spaces, Kuklin noted might seek ways to leave current businesses the majority of staff won’t be in the building and determine service businesses that could anymore. So, “lunch or dinner rush” business be developed to fit immediate needs, similarly won’t exist, resulting in reduced income and to how silk-screen T-shirt companies convert- trouble paying higher lease rates. ed to making masks. Retail must find a need, Rockbrook Village Marketing Director and market or sell it to survive. Diane Heyne noted its 50-plus locally owned “You can’t just open your doors and wait shops offer appointment shopping, curbside for people to walk in,” he said. “They won’t pick-up, and have delivery and capacity if they don’t feel safe or won’t if they have limitations. to homeschool, self-isolate or work from “One initiative we took while businesses home, taking all their previously disposable were closed in April was hosting a social downtime and recreational hours. media webinar, helping merchants focus on “Since Amazon has devastated the retail crisis management and maneuver social meenvironment as it once was, I see more re- dia during the pandemic,” she said. tailers figuring out how to get their message As traffic slowed, two $500 giveaways out digitally and their product out from ful- promoted merchants on Facebook, and its fillment centers like Amazon.” Friday Night Concert Series in The Pavilion Kuklin speculates it will be at least four to continued as scheduled. five years before retail “gets anywhere close “Guests have done a wonderful job practo what it was before March.” ticing social distancing and wearing masks,” “Because of all the remote employees, Heyne said. anyone that relied on getting their income Rockbrook Village’s small business by being close to large office buildings might resiliency announcement showcased a numhave to close up and move elsewhere to ser- ber of different innovations; for instance, vice other, new clients,” he said. “Manage- The Hunger Block modified its menus with ment of offices that always wanted all their family-style meals for easy take-out and Continued on page 25. employees to be in one location have learned
Shopping Mall Space Directory — inside AUGUST 21, 2020
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
$2.00
VOL. 46 NO. 34
Elk River Wealth Management taps experienced talent for Omaha office by Richard D. Brown
Omaha’s Amethyst Home tackles COVID-19 with technology, sees growth. – Page 2
40 er d Un 40
Pandemic the unlikely spark of new adventure for Scott Yahnke. – Page 3
J re LB Ca h t l ea
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Virtual services, tech innovations position health care well to meet today’s challenges. – Page 4
The Omaha office of Elk River Wealth Management, an independent investment advisory firm headquartered in Denver, is opening with 53 years’ experience at the helm and the expertise of two of the area’s most successful financial planning professionals. Omaha natives David Carroll and Jon Springer, who collectively have about $230 million in assets under management, said they are excited to join up with Elk River, a fast-growing independent firm with $750 million in assets under management. Elk River is opening a four-person office at 17330 Wright St. “We love Jon and Dave and the very similar experiences they bring to the Omaha market,” said Partner John G. Phoenix. “Our scope incorporates best-in-class solutions across asset management, alternative investments, banking, insurance, and trusts and Continued on page 9.
Omaha Partners David Carroll, left, and Jon Springer … Using a local approach backed by a growing independent investment advisory firm. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)
iBeauté Studio & Academy owner building a beauty brand in Benson by Becky McCarville
Fresh after its grand opening celebration on Saturday, Aug. 1, iBeauté Studio & Academy owner Shanika Tolbert is anticipating a wave of customers. The day spa opened its doors in March, one week before the pandemic, and reopened May 4 after beauty salons and spas were allowed to open again to the public. While the pan-
demic cooled the company’s start, Tolbert is building for the future. “I always had a business mindset,” she said. “I always wanted to open something, even if I worked on my own. But I also have fibromyalgia so that’s what pushed me to open up a storefront — to eventually be able to work less or not at all.” Tolbert got her start in the inContinued on page 9. Rebecca Fox, senior VP and general counsel at Warren Distribution.
Pandemic forces review of processes from tech risks to labor management by Michelle Leach
Owner Shanika Tolbert … Diversifying by offering training and continuing education as well as booth rentals to other beauty professionals.
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series sharing firsthand experiences from local organizations on how their respective industries are adapting to COVID-19. Noticed more strange phone numbers? Receiving odd texts? Did that coronavirus relief email seem “off?” Trust your gut. “Bad actors prey on fear and urgency to get results, particularly via phishing emails and drive-by malware downloads on
websites and in web ads,” said SBS CyberSecurity co-founder and Senior Information Security Consultant Jon Waldman. “We’ve seen this happen time and again, especially when an issue like a global pandemic has everyone’s attention.” Waldman, who also conducts educational events in the state (now virtual), urges internet users to slow down. Google first. Click responsibly. “You’ll be surprised at what Continued on page 10.