Omaha Events This Week: New Central Library Opens, Free E-Bikes & Things to Do April 23–29, 2026

Omaha has been busy — and this week, there's a lot to be excited about. From a brand-new library to free e-bikes, the city is making some big moves this spring.

Here's what's inside this week:

Plus, we've got the latest restaurant buzz, upcoming concerts and events, and a rundown of what your City Council decided last week. Let's dive in!

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🏗️ Inside Omaha's stunning new Central Library Omaha's $158 million Central Library opened its doors Sunday at 72nd and Dodge, drawing a huge crowd for the ribbon cutting. Highlights include the only automated book-retrieval system in any U.S. public library, a podcast studio, 3D printing lab, and 16 conference rooms. Metro Transit's ORBT route serves the site — and fares were free on opening day.

🚲 Omaha launches free e-bike program for metro residents Heartland Bike Share kicked off a free rides program on Monday, giving metro residents access to 400+ e-bikes across Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, and Council Bluffs. Trips under 60 minutes are completely free for approved applicants. The one-year pilot is fully sponsor-funded — no taxpayer dollars involved. Apply through the Heartland Bike Share website.

🌳 Phase 2 of the North Omaha Trail breaks ground A groundbreaking ceremony officially launched Phase 2 of the North Omaha Trail, an 8-mile multi-use path designed to reconnect neighborhoods that were split apart when Highway 75 was built. The $8 million state-funded project runs through Creighton University to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and is expected to be complete within a year.

Retro Royse — Expert Alterations for Bridal, Formal & Everyday Wear Lizz Royse spent years as Head Seamstress at one of Maryland's top bridal boutiques and even sewed for the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles. Now she's brought that expertise to West Omaha — and she's ready to work on your most important looks.

Wedding gown, formal suit, vintage treasure — Retro Royse handles it all with the kind of care you won't find at a chain alteration shop.

New to Omaha and ready to meet you.

⚔️ North Omaha Neighbors Fight Grocery Store Liquor License
A grocery store at 3247 N. 42nd St. wanted to sell liquor — and the neighborhood pushed back hard. Bishop Kevin Chambers from Mt. Calvary Community Church and two residents showed up to oppose it. The City Council listened, then approved the license anyway — but added special conditions. It was the most heated debate of the whole meeting.

🚗 $7 Million Coming to Fix Your Neighborhood Streets
This summer, road crews could be headed to your block. The City Council approved a $7 million contract with Western Engineering to resurface residential streets across Omaha. The money comes from the 2022 Street Preservation Bond. It's one of the most hands-on ways the city improves daily life — smoother roads, fewer potholes, right in your neighborhood.

🏗️ Denser Housing Greenlit Near Downtown Omaha
A Lincoln-based developer just got the go-ahead to build multi-family housing just south of 18th and Willis Avenue. The City Council approved a rezoning that swaps out single-family rules for medium-density housing. More units, more neighbors, and more activity near downtown. If you live close by, a new residential development is coming to your edge of the city.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

Flagship Restaurant Group brought a new concept to the Old Market when they opened Anthem, a Tex-Asian pub, this past Wednesday at 1205 Howard Street in the former Plank Provisions space. The spot is a "design-savvy eatery" serving up Latin and Asian pub fare alongside tiki drinks and sake bombs. It's the second location for the Austin-based restaurant.

Fiiz Drinks is gearing up to bring its "dirty soda" concept to Nebraska for the first time, with a planned early summer opening in Gretna's Tiburon Pointe development. They'll be moving into a 2,400 sq. ft. spot at 10215 South 168th Street, previously a Tropical Smoothie Café. The Salt Lake City chain, known for customizable sodas, energy drinks, and snacks, has 75 locations and plans to add two more in the area shortly after this first one opens.

Betty Rae's Ice Cream looks to be scooping up a third Omaha location near 180th & Q Street, next door to Hy-Vee. A building permit was filed to renovate the old Big Frog Custom T-Shirt space at 17676 Welch Plaza. The Kansas City-based creamery already has two Omaha outposts — one in Aksarben Village and another in Pepperwood Village.

Dairy Chef is showing up in more places around town, with its locally made ice cream now stocked at Hy-Vee stores near 180th & Q Street and 132nd & West Dodge Road. The Elkhorn shop is offering quarts and rotating flavors at the new locations, and some stores are also carrying its cookie sandwiches.

Beatniks, a fresh-food bodega concept connected to the Saddle Creek Breakfast Club team, had its soft opening this past weekend at Countryside Village in the former Countryside Cones space. The spot focuses on locally sourced, clean eats for takeout and grab-and-go retail — though it operates as a separate entity from its sister restaurant next door.

Sonny's, the outdoor food and entertainment area at Aksarben Village anchored by a vintage Airstream trailer just north of Inner Rail Food Hall, has kicked off its season and is open again. It's your go-to spot for food, drinks, and al fresco fun.

Dolce, the upscale dining spot at 12317 West Maple Road, has been sold and has permanently closed. Chef and owner Anthony Kueper had been running the restaurant since 2017. It's still unclear what will move into the space next.

Toppers Pizza has shuttered its Miracle Hills location at 741 North 114th Street, with a sign on the door saying it's closed "indefinitely." The Wisconsin-based chain still has a spot open at 7010 Dodge Street, and operates more than 70 locations mostly across the upper Midwest.

Q: What Nebraska fast food chain is named for its signature product, a yeast dough pocket filled with meat and cabbage, brought to the state by Eastern European immigrants?

(Answer below.)

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A: Runza