As the end of the semester approaches, most students are counting the days until winter break when they can return to home-cooked meals.
Now, with the recent opening of Patrick’s Market, the new downtown grocery store off of 14th and Howard Streets, students can have healthy, freshly cooked meals whenever they want.
Patrick’s Market offers a wide variety of fresh produce, frozen foods, a full deli, organic groceries and specialty coffee and cheese. Grab-and-go soups, salads, entrees and desserts are made fresh daily for lunch and dinner. Freshly baked pastries are available for the breakfast crowd, and specialty coffee is brewed throughout the day.
Amy Powell, co-owner of Patrick’s Market, said the store carries “the basics” that downtown residents need.
“We carry the items that people need and use the most,” she said. “We’re always open to carrying items that people request, and we are constantly monitoring our stock to see what people use and like the most.”
Patrick’s Market is the first full grocery store to be built in downtown Omaha since 1969, when Cubby’s Downtown was built on 13th and Jackson Streets.
The idea for a downtown grocery store began a few years ago when Powell’s brother and co-owner P.J. Andersen had the idea to open a meat shop in downtown Omaha. After talking with friends that were involved in downtown development projects, Andersen concluded that a grocery store could benefit many people who work and live downtown.
With the help of their father, Pat Andersen, owner of Blair’s Superfoods and co-owner of Patrick’s Market, Powell and her brother opened Patrick’s Market on Nov. 18. So far, business has been great, Powell said.
“We’ve had a steady flow of customers since we opened,” she said. “We get a lot of feedback from customers who say that having a grocery store downtown is so convenient and a much needed addition to the area.”
Starting in January, Patrick’s Market will offer curbside pickup and delivery services. Customers will be able to place their order online and either pick up their order or have it delivered.
“It will be a great service for busy customers who might not have time to shop after work of school,” Powell said.
Powell encourages Creighton students to take advantage of the close location and competitive prices at Patrick’s Market.
“It’s a great place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch,” she said. “We’ve got a large selection of products, and if you see something we don’t carry, let us know and we’ll do whatever we can get it for you. We are very open to special requests.”
Students can stop by for a meal or coffee while they study, too. The coffee bar has chairs and stools and will have free wireless Internet starting in December.
“Students can purchase a frozen meal or a grab-and-go meal and heat it up in the microwave or grab coffee and study,” she said.
Katie Hawkins, Arts & Sciences junior, lives downtown and said Patrick’s Market is a convenient addition to the downtown area.
“They carry everything I would normally buy at Hy-Vee or Baker’s,” Hawkins said. “Some of the items at Patrick’s are a bit more expensive, but you end up saving money on gas [by shopping at Patrick’s].”
Patrick’s is located on 1416 Howard St. and is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, visit www.patricksmarket.com.