REWRITING THE PLAYBOOK | Moving Forward From Here
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021 CHI HEALTH CENTER OMAHA
AttendCRESummit.com
A section prepared by the staff of
CRE Summit — inside JULY 23, 2021
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
THIS WEEK ’S ISSUE:
$2.00
VOL. 47 NO. 30
Fareway Stores builds on meat backbone by Richard D. Brown
Class Intercom shares firsthand stories for school social media accounts. – Page 2
40 er d Un 40 Early advocates led Morrissey Engineering’s Gudeman to fulfilling career in sustainability. – Page 4
al rci ce e a mm Sp Co ffice O
Local commercial real estate market looks strong moving forward. – Page 5
Since coming into the Omaha-area market in 2004 with stores in Papillion and Millard, Boone, Iowa-based Fareway Stores has applied its model of 20,000 to 25,000-square-foot stores to Council Bluffs and Nebraska City. In addition, the 83-year-old family-owned business has also opened specialized Fareway Meat Market locations at 8900 West Center Rd. and in Lincoln at 3033 South 84th St. In May, the firm with about 12,000 employees among its 129 stores in six contiguous Midwestern states, opened a newly-built store on the northeast corner of 132nd & Fort streets. Earlier this month, ground was broken for a 21,000-square-foot store at 604 South Highway 6, in Gretna. That location — with an average of 100 employees — will open next spring. Other area stores are at 17070 Audrey St. in Millard, 1325 Jersey Continued on page 23.
President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer at the groundbreaking of the new Gretna store. (Photo by Roger Humphries)
From blog to full-time online business, The Anastasia Co. reaches worldwide by Michelle Leach
Jillian McClenahan parlayed her inherent entrepreneurial spirit and passion for storytelling through graphics and similar content into a blog that would eventually led to the launch of a full-time online business, The Anastasia Co., touting products such as paper goods and apparel that, as the founder puts it, “hit people in the feels.” The eight-year-old business’s products can also now be found in almost
500 stores worldwide. “I am so passionate about products that give people hope through a hard time, or encouragement to follow what they’re called to do,” she said. “There have been times at local events where one of our cards or prints will make someone start crying. I love making people cry — in the best way.” By that, a perusal of the Omaha-based business’s online store Continued on page 23. Owner Mike Petersen aims to see interest in e-bikes grow in the Midwest. (Photo by Monica Sempek)
Top Gun Bikes builds niche in electric transportation from bikes to skateboards by Gabby Hellbusch
There’s no “one-size-fits-all”
Founder Jillian McClenahan is turning blog success into selling inspirational products around the globe. (Photo courtesy of The Anastasia Co.)
bike, which is why Mike Petersen, owner of Top Gun Bikes in Omaha, said he’s made it his mission to help others ride away with the perfect option for their unique situation. Originally founded in California as an online electric bike store that mainly catered to those looking for custom options, the business was purchased by Petersen in 2019
and has since evolved to become a storefront and showroom where customers can come in to try out different offerings — a feature that sets the store apart, Petersen said. The shop offers a range of factory electric bikes, skateboards and scooters. Custom options and conversions are also available. The business works to accommodate those who are looking for bikes Continued on page 26.
