Reopening of 16th Street brings hope to North Omaha businesses
The manager of Chubb Foods dispelled rumors of the store’s closure, saying the business is pressing forward.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Traffic is once again moving on North 16th Street in Omaha after roads in the area underwent infrastructure improvements for months.
A year ago, Sean McNeil turned the light son a started a buzz, installing high-tech features into classic cars. The name of McNeil’s business was “Purpose Drive,” and he had high hope for both his venture and the community surrounding it.
“We want to teach trades that can transfer into money and dollars into the community and to the families,” McNeil told 6 News in a September 2023 interview.
But things didn’t work out.
Infrastructure and street resurfacing work began shortly after Sean opened the doors to his business. That certainly didn’t help things, as all the construction shut down streets in the neighborhood, leading Sean to shut down his business.
That left the building owner, Darren Lind, looking for a new tenant.
It’s been hard to stay open and get traffic through this part of town with the whole road closed,” Lind said.
Somehow, through all of this, the grocery store down the street was able to survive.
“It was hard,” said Anne Gordon, the Manage of Chubb Foods located on the corner of N. 16th and Locust Street. “It was really hard coming out of the winter and then we had to layoff four employees and, you know, that was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I’ve never had to come across anything like that.”
Gordon told 6 News that with 16th Street essentially closed for several months, there were rumors circulating that her store was going to close.
“I think when people don’t know the answer to something, they talk, and one person talked to the next,” Gordon said. “Chubb is not closing. Not shutting down. If anything, you’ll see some redevelopment in 2025.”
Gordon says there are plans to renovate the store — even thoughts of adding more services outside to the underserved community.
“I might just put a gas station out there,” Gordon said.
Both Gordon and Lind are hoping the fact that traffic is moving on N. 16th again — with new infrastructure and new pavement — will encourage more development in an area desperate for it.
“I’m really happy with it. It looks a lot nicer and cleans it up a lot, so hopefully it’s a start in the right direction.”
Lind told 6 News that he does have some good news to report: he’s found a new tenant. A car repair shop is set to move into his building, adding more business to the neighborhood.
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