Things to Do in Omaha Next Week: Great Reuben Debate, New Schools, and January 2026 Events

We're kicking off the week with some exciting local updates that could shape our city for years to come. Here's what's happening around town this week:

Let's dive into what's new in the metro area!

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🤝 City of Omaha running community survey Omaha residents can now participate in the "We Make Omaha" survey, the city's first comprehensive planning project since 1997. The survey will help shape Omaha's priorities for the next 20 years, with 5,000 randomly selected residents receiving postcards this week. All city residents can participate online to ensure their voices influence decisions that will impact the community for decades.

🏗️ BD investing $110 million, adding 120 jobs in Columbus Medical device manufacturer BD announced a $110 million expansion of its Columbus operations, adding 120 jobs to produce prefillable syringes driven largely by demand for GLP-1 weight-loss medications. This marks the company's second major expansion in less than a year at a facility that already employs over 2,000 workers across two manufacturing plants.

📚 Westside Community Schools celebrates new elementary school Westside Community Schools celebrated the completion of its new Westgate Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday. The $22.8 million project replaces the original 1957 building that was rebuilt after the devastating 1975 tornado. Mayor John Ewing Jr. joined students in celebrating the investment, emphasizing the importance of supporting children "in the right now."

The commercial real estate playbook is being rewritten—and Brightway Commercial's expertise is where businesses are putting their trust for measurable savings. The company specializes in tenant representation, investment sales, and strategic consulting that protects your bottom line.

Why smart businesses choose Brightway:

Cedar Creek Coffee & Art will open its doors in the next few weeks at 20603 Elkhorn Drive in Olde Towne Elkhorn. The specialty coffee shop and art gallery features a full stage that will host live music, art lectures, poetry, trivia and coffee education sessions. It's a multi-roaster concept carrying coffee from more than 12 roasters from around the country sourcing beans from around the globe.

Sand Point will close its restaurant on January 17 at 655 North 114th Street near 114th & Dodge in Miracle Hills. The New England–style restaurant opened in October 2023 and is known for its lobster rolls and soups.

Small Sliders, an Atlanta-based quick-serve restaurant chain specializing in small cheeseburgers, has signed a development agreement to open four locations in Omaha and Lincoln. The concept started in 2019 in Baton Rouge, La., and now has 46 locations in 12 states. Site selection work is currently underway in Nebraska. One of the restaurant's owners is former NFL quarterback Drew Brees.

The Blackstone District is hosting the seventh annual Great Reuben Debate January 10th through 24th. The Reuben sandwich was invented in Omaha's Blackstone Hotel in the 1920s. Each restaurant will have its own take on the sandwich. Participating locations include Cheeseburgers, Crescent Moon, Cunningham's, First Round, HomeGrown Omaha, Lazy Buffalo, Little India, Mula, Nite Owl, Rathskeller Bier Haus and the Orleans Room at The Cottonwood Hotel.

Hyper Energy Bar, a small coffee and infused-energy drink chain from Urbandale, IA, recently opened its first Omaha-area location at 3561 North 181st Street near 180th & West Maple Road. The drive-thru beverage concept has other Omaha-area sites planned near 180th & Burke Street and 204th & Harrison Street, though those have not yet opened.

Paradise Bakery & Café will open a location at 111 North 175th Street inside Nebraska Medicine's Village Pointe campus near 175th & Burke Street. The bakery previously operated at Village Pointe Shopping Center before relocating to Nebraska Crossing in Gretna, where it reopened in January 2025.

Wicked Caramel Apples, a La Vista-based caramel apple business, plans to open a brick-and-mortar shop at 104 South 5th Street in Plattsmouth. An opening date has not been announced. The business will continue operating at Home Decor and More in La Vista and at pop-up events until the new shop opens.

Q: In June 2023, a new statue representing the state of Nebraska was dedicated and unveiled in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. What author, who spent her formative years in Red Cloud and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1895, is the subject of the statue?

(Answer below.)

Play Word Search! New Nebraska themed game every day.

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A: Willa Cather